Richard Cloudesley students raise the bar
Richard Cloudesley Special School pupils have produced a collection of
stunning ultra violet artwork inspired by Manet’s ‘A Bar at the Folies
Bergere’ with the help of artists from Learning at Somerset House. The
‘Raising the Bar’ collection is currently on display at the school following a
special opening ceremony on Friday 24th March 2006.
Raising the Bar is a project supported by EC1 New Deal Lift Off funding for
transition and collaboration through the visual arts.
Four primary classes, along with twelve Prior Weston mainstream school
students, have worked with artist educators from Learning at Somerset House,
Ashley Davies and Jonathan Huxley, to explore one work, Manet’s A Bar at the
Folies Bergere from the Courtauld Institute of Art Gallery. A multi sensory
suitcase with props was been used to support this investigation. The students
made a mobile interpretation of the work in the form of a large ultra violet
mobile inspired by Jonathan Huxley’s ‘A Boy’s Own Story’. Jonathan has also
created a small version of ‘A Boy’s Own Story’ in the multi sensory space in
one of the classrooms at Richard Cloudesley School, which the students have
been able to visit.
The project has taken place over two weeks with four sessions being held in
the Courtauld Institute of Art Gallery, the Learning Centre at Somerset House
and the Floral Hall Bar at the Royal Opera House.
Kate Horbury, Access Programme Co-ordinator, Somerset House said: “It was a
touching experience for all the artist educators to work with the Richard
Cloudesley students on this exciting project. The children thoroughly enjoyed
their trips to the Royal Opera House and the Courtauld Gallery, which helped
them to bring Manet’s picture to life.
“The artwork produced by the children is bright and kinetic – a complete
multi-sensory experience for them. The artwork will stay on display at the
school for a year to celebrate the special relationship between Richard
Cloudesley School, Prior Weston, Learning at Somerset House and the Courtauld
Institute of Art Gallery. We have been working together for three years now –
and long may it continue!”
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