Aluredian
34
I
n October, a band of artists and
scholars set off for Rome. This was a
real cultural treat for our pupils, and
the artists were able to sample one of
the finest selections of work across a
wide period of time, starting with the
early Roman antiquities and awe-inspiring
architecture, through to the stunning brand
new MAXXI art gallery designed by British
architect Zaha Hadid. Here was very
contemporary art which provided a dramatic
contrast to the Vatican museums which we had
toured that same day. Galleries such as the
Villa Borghese and the Modern Art Museum
allowed pupils to get up close to the art, and
work from close observation. In many cases,
pupils were able to see work in its original
context. Each day was packed with discoveries
and pupils worked hard in their sketchbooks
and with cameras to record their experiences
visually. Finn Spencer won the prize for the
best sketchbook awarded at the end of the trip.
We welcomed back former artist-in-residence
Derek Nice, who was working on and installing
the large winged-form sculpture which was
commissioned for the Chapel. The project was
generously part-funded by the Joan Sewell
Bequest Fund. Derek designed the limed oak
sculpture to be suspended from the white stone
wall of the Chapel. He writes, "This Winged
Form relates to countless imagery from the
past. The Angels / Winged Forms that I make
are inspired by my own travels and research
into the past, and as a tribute to the unknown
instinctive artists who have left us this
intriguing archive." Pupils also had the
opportunity to work alongside him and be
involved in the installation of the sculpture.
In February, 35 sixth form artists set out for
Oxford, seeking inspiration for their exam
projects. The party split into groups to visit
four contrasting museums. The education staff
Art
by
Kate Dewbery
at each of the sites explained the history and
nature of the museums, and showed exemplar
sketchbooks to illustrate how each museum
could be visually interpreted. All were
impressed by the scale and displays in the
Ashmolean Museum. The first public museum
to open in Britain in 1683, the Ashmolean
houses a collection of art varying from Egyptian
and Greek antiquities to 20th-century art.
Pupils were spoilt for choice in selecting areas
to study.
The recent redevelopment of the museum
provided a good contrast with the Victorian
splendour of the Natural History Museum.
Here, pupils drew and photographed dinosaur
and animal skeletons, along with studying vast
collections of rocks and insects. They even got
to see a dodo!
Next was the Pitt Rivers Museum, which is a
cabinet of curiosities and full to the brim of
artefacts and treasures. Here there were
displays of thousands of ethnographic objects,
from all parts of the world. A fascinating
insight into different cultures, this museum
provided an abundance of visual stimuli.
Finally, the day was rounded off with a visit to
Modern Art Oxford, where pupils were able to
see the current exhibition of contemporary
sculpture and film.