Inspired by art in W12
Tuesday July 12, 2010
From parasols decorated with historical Egyptian symbols to mosaics of elephants inspired by Indian drawings, the annual art show at a Shepherds Bush primary school took on a very international feel this year.
By learning about art from China to Saudi Arabia and Iceland to England, every pupil at Wendell Park Primary School had the chance to contribute to an undoubtedly diverse gallery in the school’s main hall which parents enjoyed from July 8-16.
Headteacher Sheila Mears said: “The children always love their art week and particularly this project, and they’ve enjoyed focusing on different countries.
“They always get very involved in the practical side.”
Taking pride of place in the hall was a series of parasols, each decorated to represent a particular country.
Examples included an English version, brightly emblazoned in the red and white of the flag of St George; an Egyptian entry dotted with symbols representing the Valley of the Kings and the river Nile and another showing Jamaican arts and crafts.
Parents were able to appreciate the efforts of the school’s 431 pupils both before and after school, while a silent auction was also held to allow the works a second life outside the building.
Ms Mears said: “The reaction of the parents has been absolutely stunning. They’ve been very excited. It feels like walking through a real art gallery.”
Pupils, aged from three to 11, contributed a piece, with teachers setting work appropriate to their age and all under the guidance of arts co-ordinator Gemma Kime.
Ms Mears said: “We wanted the children to be involved in the art work and the technique behind it and find out about art specific to those countries.
“Then, the children could also learn about the countries at the same time and increase their knowledge.”
Children were also able to increase their literacy skills, writing a series of letters to imaginary children in the country they were studying, outlining why they liked that country and to tell them about England.
They, too, were on display, from a series to Japan hanging from a fan to a large post bag of letters to Mexico.
Pupils and parents alike should now have plenty of inspiration for their summer holidays as well.
