Tuesday, December 12th 2006
The project brings together the merging schools of Mary Rose School North and South Sites, giving the staff and pupils the opportunity to participate in a large-scale artwork which will be sited on the walls of the main corridor in their new building. The work seeks to not only give the new space a relevant identity but also will serve as a preparation for the schools moving and celebrates their arrival at a new beginning. It is hoped that all pupils and staff will want to take part in the making of this piece.
The idea for this artwork came from the school’s name, its connection to the sea and the image of life as a journey or voyage. Each participant will make and decorate a small boat which will be part of a larger number attached to the wall of the main corridor. There will be various size groups of boats and the wall behind the boats will be decorated. These will be scattered down the corridor to give the sense of a journey where new things are seen and discovered.
The first part of the project involves a series of workshops for staff and pupils, which started in December 2006. David Halliwell provided examples and a series of ready-cut modules and materials which could be used to create the finished pieces. Once the series of workshops finishes in late January, David Halliwell will then produce more boats to complement those already made. Areas for siting the boats will be chosen and then they will be decorated. The final stage will be the fixing of the boats to the wall. There will be opportunities to see the various stages as they occur.
The materials being used are – paint, wood, metal screw eyes, string, stencils, paper, nails, glue and fire retardant.
The workshops began before Christmas and continue into the New Year until everyone who wishes has contributed. David Halliwell will then continue making boats and decorating the walls where required. The boats will then be prepared and fixed to the walls. Everyone will be able to see his or her boat by making a voyage along the corridor.
See the photographs taken at the first set of workshops. They went really well and we had such fun with the various shapes and lots of emulsion paint!