HILLCREST COUNTY PRIMARY SCHOOL

FIGURES INSTALLATION

This installation is the result of collaboration between Making Marks and Year 6 children from Hillcrest school. Making Marks was asked to create a mural, covering an existing but poorly executed design on an ugly external wall.

Our theme was 'the things children do in the playground', and together with them we brainstormed their activities. They then went out in groups to photograph themselves running, jumping, playing and chatting, chose the images they wanted to use and designed their own individual murals. We measured the space available and made scale models of the wall, while in groups the children negotiated and chose the designs they wanted to put together, which they then did on the scale models. Eight designs were created, with the school council and staff voting to choose three designs from which to make up the final piece.

The designs were projected onto marine ply and the children drew the outlines and painted the designs. Together, they experienced the process an artist goes through in creating a piece for commission, working within various constraints and requirements. This wonderful piece truly reflects the work of the children and is finished to a high artistic standard.