Scotch College

Where are the wild things?

WORDS: PRISCILLA WILLIAMS • HEAD OF JUNIOR ART Photography: Priscilla Williams & Jocelyn Pride

It has been an exciting and inspiring time in the Junior Art Studio, with the Where Art The Wild Things? sculptures becoming permanent installations in the Junior School.

Well-known artist Pamela Irving worked as an Artist-in-Residence with the Junior School students between July and December 2006, to produce a stunning range of sculptures for the grounds. We were thrilled that Pamela accepted the residency.

She has exhibited in a number of solo shows and has participated in more than 100 group exhibitions, part of an impressive list of commissions and artist-in-residencies across the country.

Book Week was the start of our inspirational journey, as we were first motivated by Maurice Sendak’s images (from his book Where The Wild Things Are). Many students drew creatures and imaginative flowers before submitting their designs for selection. The final shapes were chosen from a number of short-listed works which could be easily transformed into three dimensions.

Large flowers were cut from wood, clay tiles were hand-made, pieces were glazed and wire skeletons merged into the imaginary shapes. Students helped to apply the concrete to the creatures and hand-glued the mosaic tiles to all of the pieces. Boys also grouted the pieces before installing the works in the gardens and courtyard.

The art works have brightened up our playground, and the students enjoy talking about, looking at and touching the sculptures. This fun, educational and memorable project was generously funded by the Junior School Parents’ Association. GS

James Ferguson hugging one of the finished pieces	Jack Billings with his finished mushroom