On a dark and drizzly bonfire night I tested the prototype floating lanterns in the river Wandle at Morden Hall Park – it was a very strange feeling wading in the river at night without being able to see my legs. The lanterns floated beautifully and drifted downstream at a stately pace, to be caught by Melati at the White Bridge.
Today I delivered the finished artwork from the ‘Walk of Art’ project to Crofton Infants’ School in Orpington. There were four panels – around 10m in total length – with feet and legs made by the Year 2 children stitched onto each. Here are some details…
I particularly like the black cat, and the parcel in the last picture – the boy who made it said it is a present for a monkey and if you peep inside you can actually see a yellow banana that he has stitched in there. And here are all four panels together…
This week I’ve been at Crofton Infants’ School in Orpington working with Year Two on a project called ‘Walk of Art’. It’s part of Walk to School Month, and is going to result in a textile banner examining why walking to school can be interesting.
The children started off with a walk outside the school exploring and looking for inspiration…
Then explored the idea more through drawing and making a Journey Journal…
and finally planned some shoes and legs on a giant roll of paper before making some fabric versions using sewing for the final piece. I specially like the next drawing which features four types of conker, including the cheese grater which I had never heard of before…
I have been making prototype lanterns and testing them ready for a special project with Wimbledon Chase primary and Cricket Green school in Mitcham. The workshops will be at Morden Hall Park as part of the National Trust’s School Arts Partnership scheme.
Over the next few weeks the children involved in the project will be creating their own individual lanterns and decorating with designs inspired by the park environment, ready for a special ceremony on 25th November when the lanterns will be floated on the river Wandle at dusk, inspired by Japanese lantern festivals.
Today I tested the lanterns on the river, assisted by volunteers from the Wandle Trust.
Lanterns for the Year 6 leavers’ party at Sheringdale Primary School in Southfields, hanging from apple and plum trees.
Molly is one of a number of willow and paper sculptures made in a workshop for years 1-6 at Merton Park Primary School in May.
Here’s a project from Christ Church Primary School, Surbiton – this is just a small detail of one of 6 collages made with the whole school for their arts week – the theme was textiles from all around the world.
A drop in activity for families at Morden Hall Park on April 20, making a ‘family tree’ with portraits suspended from the branches.
These were made at a workshop at the Hook Centre in February – selected children from 5 different primary schools took part and used collage to create imaginary birds. I love the lipstick baby bird and the winged polar bear.
