Stopfordian 2010–2011 - Stockport Grammar School

The Stopfordian 2010–2011
NOTES FROM LEONARDO
“Art is much less important than life, but what a poor life
without it.” Robert Motherwell.
In the opening paragraph of last year’s “Notes.......” I
mentioned that I was writing while on the department’s
residential trip to Rhoscolyn in Anglesey. The purpose for
Of course, while the exhibition marks the end of the year,
the department is engaged in plenty of activity throughout
each term. Back in September, the Lower Sixth kick-started
their AS coursework with two sessions working outdoors, in
Wythenshawe Gardens and then Castlefield. Both venues
provide excellent
scope for detailed
drawings and
present their own
The Lower Sixth
drawing in Castelfield
Basin, Manchester.
A level pupils in Moelfre, Anglesey.
undertaking such visits is to gather source material in the form
of sketches, photographs and so forth, that are then
developed into more resolved work when back working in the
studio. I am pleased to say that the trip was enjoyed by all
and the fruits of what had begun there were displayed at the
Annual GCSE and A level exhibition held in May where it was
very well received.
The exhibition is the showcase event in the Art department’s
calendar and is always well attended by not only the pupils
and their parents, but by school governors, staff and friends.
Once again, the range of work provided evidence of both the
talent and hard work our young artists commit to the subject
and the staging of the exhibition is a just reward for them. On
a personal level I find it encouraging to hear such favourable
comments from our visitors and to see the maturity and strong
personal response our pupils achieve in their work which
helps motivate and encourage our younger pupils.
specific challenges. This is
followed by a day spent
with the Upper Sixth
visiting some of the main
London galleries. This
year the party spent time
at Tates Modern and Britain and also enjoyed the boat trip
along the Thames that links the two. There was also enough
time to take in the National Gallery before the journey back
to Euston and the train ride home. It is not only the Sixth
Form who enjoy gallery visits however, and in March the Fifth
Year artists spent a day at The Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool
in preparation for their externally assessed pieces.
The Sixth Form outside Tate
Britain, London (above), and
the Fifth Year on the steps of
The Walker Gallery,
Liverpool (left).
Music, Drama and Art 71