Killester College Wire works

Wire works

• During this (2005) year, Killester had its Art and Technology Rooms refurbished so for most of the course we were minus our usual art room facilities including our ceramics area.
• So in trying to balance the Art program with both 2D and 3D art experiences we decided that wire would be a great medium for sculptures.
• Although our art rooms were out of action our creativity wasn’t.
•  We tried to vary our themes to inspire the students and to keep the ideas fresh.
• In semester one we looked at the idea of wire vessels using an example from wire artist Tim Rollason.
• In term 2 the students were asked to use the themes of ‘ Tiaras’ or Bras, Bodices or Collars to create sculptures.
• Students were expected to fulfil a design brief before creating their work.
• Firstly they researched the possibilities by finding other wire sculptors and their work in books and on the internet.
• They also read up the chapter on wire sculptures in their text books Art is ... 2 ( Sandra Jane  pub 1999 J Wiley and Sons Milton QLD).
• They created a brainstorm type collage of possible ideas from magazine cut outs and images.
• The students then designed two possibilities for their sculptures; they were encouraged to approach the unit with an Art/ Sculpture perspective rather than a functional or jewellery making exercise.
• Instructions on how to manipulate, join and cut wire was given with some practical exercises to develop skills these were also included in their Visual Diaries with annotations.
• Various gauges of wire, wire mesh, chicken wire, foil and shimmer were used as well as feathers, beads and other objects to enhance or decorate the sculptures.
• Each process was annotated in the Visual Diaries, the self evaluations were written using the templates from Art is...2 (Sandra Jane.)
• Students found this a rewarding and stimulating, although sometimes challenging activity with fantastic results.

Stella Greig  ARTS KLA

Anna Miha  Year 9 ART Teacher