The St Mary’s Gifted and Talented Summer School included contributions from Art and Design, Drama and Music. A mixture of Year 6, Year 7 and Sixth Form students spent a week exploring the theme of ‘time’. The experience began with all students involved in a number of ice-breaker activities. They then divided into their specialist groups to work with artists, performers, musicians and staff. At the end of the week the individual experiences were brought together with the students making a presentation of their work to a group of invited guests.

Francesca's art book

Matthew's art book

I first had the idea of using the theme of 'time' for artwork when I was in Paris. While there I was able to see a number of Cubist paintings and became fascinated with their endeavours to represent time through a fragmentation of different views within one picture.
Our work in Art and Design began with a session based on lessons 2 and 3 of the Arts Reasoning and Thinking Skills programme. This aimed to encourage thinking skills related to the exploration of the project theme ‘time’. Key images used in this included ‘The Arnolfini Wedding’ by Jan van Eyck (time past), ‘Mr and Mrs Clark’ by David Hockney, (recent time) and ‘The Arrival’ by Christopher Nevinson (fragmented time). A central point in this was for pupils to realise that an artist can depict objects and viewpoints that are not immediately obvious.

The task aimed to reveal to pupils that it is necessary to investigate images in depth if our understanding is to be enhanced. It was hoped that this investigation would result in deeper, more informed images in the pupils’ own work. Included in this was the fact that works of art may have a supporting theory that relates to the time in which they were made. This can often give the work of art a deeper meaning, an aspect clearly seen in the Nevinson image which relates to what was then referred to as ‘simultaneity in time and space’. It was put to the art group ‘how does this idea relate to computer images of the 21st century?’

We decided to use this idea of fragmenting images as our starting point. However, the meaning behind the images produced is a little more complex. David Hockney firmly believes that memory is an important part of the process of seeing. How many times have you looked at something and then made a link in your mind with something from your past? This resulted in the idea of using layers of images to represent time in one picture. The computer images made by the students include images of themselves, family, friends and objects related to the theme of time.

making art books

During the week the students worked with the artists Pat Hodson and Anne-Marie Quinn. They both bought unique contributions to the project. Pat’s stunning art books became our main format for the presentation of the students work. Anne-Marie worked with a number of students on a group piece which centred on the idea of pockets of time.

During the presentation at the end of the week, 3 Year 6 pupils and Helen Rogerson, a sixth form student, introduced the audience to the groups work.

	Charlotte, a Year 6 pupil from Sacred Heart Primary School Hindsford, commented on the process of experimentation involved in the project. ‘Picasso once said…. ‘I never do a painting as a work of art. All of them are researches. I search constantly. It’s an experiment in time’.
'In my work I experimented with making paper with Pat Hodson. I then used the paper to make designs and tests for my digital book. I also learnt how an artist creates ideas step by step. The most successful part of the project for me was constructing the book and using computer pictures to make abstract photographs of ourselves.’

	Rachel, from Sacred Heart Hindsford, added to this with her comment related to the work of art as a journey in time. ‘Andy Goldsworthy, a British sculptor, has said… ‘Whenever possible I make a work everyday. Each work joins the next in a line that defines the passage of my life.’
'In my work I have made a journey starting with a picture of myself and by adding layers I have created a number of different images. At the beginning of my art book there is an abstract picture and then one by one a layer is removed to work back to my original photograph. Each stage is like a moment in time.’

Helen introduced the group piece which represents memories from the past and thoughts from the present and of the future. Each of these is in the form of small books held within individual pockets. The pockets are arranged in 3 towers, the final tower tied together because it represents the future which we do not yet know.
All of the work produced during the week displays each student’s interpretation of the concepts behind the project. This took the form of individual prints, art books and the group sculpture.

Paul's art book

This was a new venture for St Mary’s High School which has resulted in a whole range of future possible developments in ICT work. The contribution of both Pat Hodson and Anne-Marie Quinn brought an enriching dimension to the work of the students. To see Year 6 pupils working in partnership with Sixth Form students was very rewarding. In all, the whole experience has been enlightening. We look forward to future work with anticipation.

John Cawood - Head of Art