Towner Gallery and Tollgate Community Junior School, 2019

There were two main aims for Tollgate, the first to develop the confidence and skill set of the teaching staff when using clay with the children and the second to create work for the launch of a sculpture trail in the school field.

With the 3 year three classes I looked at the vital role insects play in the good health of the Earth and all that inhabit it. We created clay talismans that now decorate a series of totem poles in the school grounds to symbolise our role as guardians of our environment. We explored insect anatomy and symmetry with ink and clay prints that were displayed at the Towner with a selection of the clay pieces. The teaching staff came along to Eastbourne Studio Pottery for a special creative INSET and worked collaboratively to make giant insects that will sit on top of each totem pole.