ARTIST IN RESIDENCE: PAMELA IRVING:

Etching, gouache, mosaic sculpture
Class: Year 9/10 elective
School: St Leonards College Cornish
Campus
Title: Artist in Residence Program with Pamela Irving: etching, painting, mosaic sculpture
Teacher(s): Mrs Geraldine Pollock
Date: Semester 1 2008, 2009
Proposed duration: 2.5 hours per
week = 15 weeks

Background:

Over the past two years, St Leonards College, Cornish Campus students have been inspired by artist Pamela
Irving, her themes, sculptures and works on paper.

In 2008, year 9/10 elective students visited Pamela in her gallery and studio, viewing, talking to her and
experiencing a slice of ‘the day in the life’ of a successful artist.

Through Pamela’s enthusiasm and inspiration these students were able to return to the school Art
studios, developing and presenting mosaic sculptures of imaginary birds employing Pamela’s
construction techniques with wire and dowel armature, cement, crockery, tiles and found objects.

Artist in Residence, 2009

In Semester 1, 2009, Pamela worked as Artist in Residence with our year 9 and 10 elective students to
create works on paper and a group of free standing mosaic sculptures.
These works were based on the
imaginary creatures and figures which are a recurrent theme throughout Pamela’s studio practice.

Prior to Pamela’s visit, the students researched the themes found in Pamela’s works.
Through observation and visual brainstorming the students drew a variety of animals, analysing the
construction of their forms by using simple geometric shapes linked together before sketching in
further detail.

They then combined different animal parts together to create ‘new’ animal forms, thus creating
‘mythical’ creatures such as the Minotaur (ref. Picasso and his themes)
The students
then transferred their images by freehand drawing the forms onto pastel paper, rendering and detailing
their images with soft pastels.

On Pamela’s arrival the students were requested to create a three part drawing using the technique
‘Exquisite Corpse’ used by the Surrealists to stimulate ideas and concepts from the
subconscious. This involves folding drawing paper into three sections, each person drawing a different
part of the image without viewing the other parts.

The whole is not seen until all artists have completed each section. Our students used the theme of
‘mythical creatures’ as their inspiration employing their knowledge of Pamela’s works
and the previous drawing exercise as a starting point.

Through demonstrating and talking about her works, Pamela assisted the students in developing gouache
painting techniques. The students thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of building up layers of contrasting
colours, textures and patterns to create vibrant and imaginative compositions.

As an extension to the students’ experience, Pamela also introduced them to the process of etching
onto acetate, creating yet another dimension to the images that they had developed.
This printing
technique enabled the students to explore and extend their drawing skills where they could employ a
range of Art elements when expressing their ideas. They were also able to experiment with plate tone
during the inking process.

All students found the experience of working with Pamela invaluable. Her depth of knowledge and passion for
her work were an inspiration for all who worked with her as they progressed through the artistic
processes.

St Leonards College Bangholme
Suitable for Years 9/10