A lot of exciting work has taken place since we first started this blog and it is now catching up with us. We will be spring cleaning the site here as well as setting up a new website to make clearer to you all of the wonderful projects we have been a part of. In the meantime if you have any questions or would like to discuss projects we can support you on please email us at:
A final sharing day with the creative practitioners and teachers in Kent with Future Creative's REFLECT LAB Programme, hosted by The Sage, Gateshead. Capturing the essence of the day through as series of postcards - things to think about in developing your creative practices
We are working with young people from Beechwood Secondary School in Slough on the Barratt Homes artist programme. Our inspiration is the based on the ideas of home and home building. We will be exploring natural and man-made materials to create a piece of work for one of Barratt's showcase developments in Slough.
We love the Bower birds and will use their collecting and making habits as a source of ideas for our work.
A fantastic project working with Allen & Overy as part of their Artbeat Project, working with Year 10 Art students at Bethnal Green Technology College. A great example of business, community and art coming together. Inspired by the Cable Street Mural we worked on the idea of Art, people and Justice. Check out the link for full details
For two days during MUSEUM WEEK Linda created a buzz at Langley Academy working with the pupils to make an installation in response to their Museum Collection. Langley Academy are the only school in the UK with a specifically installed museum. Encouraging young people to be curious explorers of the world Linda used ideas of the absurd and characterisation of objects. She worked with classes such as Geography, English, Science. Students from a range of ages and classes then worked with Linda using experimental processes including black and white photocopying and large scale laminating to create an alternative view of the museum.
How are Artists Inspired by Objects???
The Academy’s Art department were privileged to work with creative practitioner, Linda Jane James for two days during Museum Learning Focus Week. An integral part of Museum Learning is the exploration of objects and the story behind objects. Many artists and designers are inspired by the aesthetics of objects, their origins and functions.
With this in mind Linda spent her first day in the Academy working with students across all subject areas creating little sketches which related to their lessons and the objects on display in the Academy’s Museum Collection. Having collated all the information and illustrations gathered on day one, Linda’s second day in the Academy was spent working with KS4 art students. Using a range of Black and White materials, the black and white printer/photocopier and laminator, students created a variety of artworks based inspired by their interpretation of the Museum’s Collection.
After working nonstop with the students it was when the Academy closed for the day that the real work started. With the aid of 3 GCSE Art Students (Seema Doll, Jade Scammell, Chloe Robbins) Linda and myself worked late into the evening to construct a conceptual installation which creatively illustrates all the thoughts and ideas discussed through Museum Learning and the students’ perception of the objects in the Academy.
The final piece was unveiled during The Academy’s first Museum Private View which took place on Wednesday 1st December. It was unveiled to students the following morning thus enabling students to look at the work they created in a different, 3Dimensional environment. Over the next few weeks students and staff will be given the opportunity to explore the art work, question it and develop ideas from it.
'Working with Linda was a great expreience, both as a teacher and an artist. Over 2 days we worked with GCSE students to create a installation inspired by the objects in the Academy's Museum. The students thoroughly enjoyed working with a practicing artist and learnt a lot from the experience.'
Beth Brock
Subject Leader for Textiles: Teacher of Art and Design
'Having Linda present in the Academy for our Museum Learning Week allowed the students to engage in new ways to our installations and museum displays. Linda worked with the existing structure of the Academy responding to what teachers were doing in the classroom expressing insights into looking and responding to objects. The booklets produced are now part of our archive and the work produced by the students were experimental in material and approach. A beautiful caption of what is possible through looking.' Head of Museum Learning, Langley Academy
The importance of thinking through making has become an area of interest that I am exploring with others.
I want to explore how we as a society engage in ideas of process and practice. My stimulation for starting this has come from badges I have recently found that belonged to my grandmother. this is leading me to understand my early childhood influences and the role of the brownies and guides and shaping my thinking. It is timely to consider their influence as they celebrate their centenary this year. I hope to write an article for a new publication I am helping to set up - ARTMOVEMENT PROCESSES and PRACTICES. Any contributions to this particular line of enquiry would be welcome (add comment - see below)
Using my fine art practices and interest in developing creative learning through making and creating games. Exploring with Years 3 and 4 at Crane Park Primary how to think through making - to explore the environment through using reclaimed materials. Developing curiosity and imagination and sustained concentration this project was an enquiry into creative learning as part of the Creative Partnerships Enquiry Schools programme. Materials input supported by OCTink as part of their social responsibility initiatives.
Exploring the world of life and work through snakes and ladders with girls from Brentford School for Girls as part of the Hounslow Industry Day initiative organised by Sir Garth Buckle (education and business partnership) in association with OCTINK and their social responsibility initiatives
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |||
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |
| 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
