Judges from The National Gallery confirmed this week that a sculpture by Year 4 children at King Edward’s School will be exhibited at the Gallery in London later this year.
Year 4’s sculptures have been selected to go on show as part of The National Gallery’s ‘Take One Picture’ initiative, an annual countrywide scheme open to all primary schools.
‘Take One Picture’ focuses on one painting from the Gallery’s collection to encourage cross-curricular work in classrooms.
To inspire their work, Year 4 classes looked initially at a painting by 15th century artist, Bartolomé Bermejo, and were struck, particularly by his depiction of the devil in Saint Michael Triumphs over the Devil.
Deciding to make the devil the focus of their work, the children went on to consider sculpture by Bernard Meadows who worked in the post-war period.
Meadows was one of a group of mid-20th century sculptors whose spiky and edgy work was dubbed ‘The Geometry of Fear.’
Aiming to elicit a similar brooding response, Year 4 decided to combine the two artistic influences into their own sculpture.
A further link to the curriculum was provided by the children referencing Stig of the Dump in their sculpture by using scrap materials to create something new.
Working by themselves or in pairs, the children began by sketching various plastic animals, frequently exaggerating elements as Bernard Meadows did.
Assembling a variety of cardboard boxes, old light fittings and scrap polystyrene everyone began assembling their creatures.
Plaster bandage was then applied ahead of painting the finished sculptures black for added menace.
Commenting on Year 4’s success, James Roberts-Wray, Head of Art at the Junior School said: “This is the fourth year we have participated in the Take One Picture scheme, but up to now we have never submitted a sculpture-based project.
“It’s really caught everyone’s imagination with the children producing creatures of incredible detail.”
