Third Year Art Visit to Compton Verney
A group of eager Bablake Third Years battled through the elements on a very wet Friday in May to visit the Compton Verney Art Gallery, with its Robert Adam designed house and grounds laid out by Capability Brown .
Whilst there they had the opportunity to look around and discuss a major exhibition based upon the work of Eric Ravilious and his contemporaries. Ravilious is recognised as one of the most important artists of the 20th century. The exhibition explored the personal and professional relationships between Ravilious and artist/designers such as Paul Nash, John Nash, Edward Bawden, Enid Marx, Eileen Garwood and Douglas Percy Bliss. Pupils were encouraged to develop their verbal literacy skills as they discussed a number of works in the exhibition including some images produced whilst he was working as an official war artist in the 1940s.
The pupils were also shown around an exhibition entitled ‘Created in Conflict’. This explored work made by British Armed Forces personnel and included many thought provoking historical and contemporary pieces. Discussions about the nature of art and themes such as keeping in touch, patriotism, loyalty and the treatment of veterans were explored. As a way of provoking thought and reflection the reading of a number of poems relating to different aspects of conflict were read out by the gallery staff.
After lunch the pupils had an opportunity to try their hand at printing. They were read a poem by Imtiaz Dharker called, ‘The Right Word’ and were asked to respond to the words and images inspired by it. The resulting work showed a great deal of insight, sensitivity and creativity.
