May through to June 2008 saw me taking part in a large commission with schools in Dudley. Based around the theme, ‘The Battle of Bacteria’ the project aimed to find cross curricular links with science and the arts.
My own work for this project focused on teaching the students mixed media paper making techniques with an emphasis on how to add elements into and onto the paper. I also explored plastic fusion with the students and we created drawings using pattern development ideas. These varying elements were then combined to create 9 large scale mixed media pieces for the final exhibition. The science link saw us exploring ways in which hospitals are trying to win the battle against the superbug and the modern day obsession with hand-washing.
On the Scientists Shelf. produced with year 8
The large scale paper panels depict scientists reasearch notes and charts. Pattern development drawings along the shelf represent the bacteria.
Contamination. created with year 5
Students worked in small groups to explore adding elements to paper pulp. This slow contamination of the pulp was used to create paper banners that got progressively more contaminated along their length. These hang in the front of the piece. The back panel shows a sheets of white plastic slowly becoming contaminated with colour. The students all created a colourful bacteria on a white background using plastic fusion. These were then all combined to produce this highly textured backdrop for the paper banners.
As a final element the students added their pattern development drawings, now printed onti acetate circles, depicting bacteria in petri dishes. However in some of these circles they have added text to show what they would like to protect in this world of the superbug. Silver squares surround these text circles as a representation of protection.
- Contamination.
Understanding The Enemy. created with Year 5 pupils.
A piece in which students created windows into paper in which they created their own bacteria. These windows were then surrounded with pattern development work and set underneath perspex circles to represent bacteria in petri dishes. Each student also added their own fictional research notes about their bacteria.
Superbug 20052006 created with year 5 pupils.
Plastic fusion rechniques were explored and combined to make a huge class superbug.
Superbug 22072006 created with year 5 pupils.
The Hospital Blanket. created with year 5 pupils.
Please Wash Your Hands. created with year 5 pupils.
At The Superbugs Party. created with year 7-9
Its In Our Hands. created with year 8 pupils.
