Kennicott Garden Inaugural
Ceramic Pit Firing
One Friday in October, while most KEVICC students were still
enjoying a well-earned lie-in, and most staff were engaged
in various meetings, a select group from the art department,
and the instigator of the project – year 13 Art student Layan
Haman – were able to sneak off to explore an ancient ceramic
practice.
Layan’s year 13 art project is focused around Bronze Age
ceramic techniques, and he has been researching not only
ceramic form, but also surface decorationandfiringmethods.
Not only has he taught himself to throw; he has quickly
mastered surface pattern. Keen to extend his research, he
researched 'pit firing' techniques which would have been
used to mature Bronze age pots to a usable condition, as well
as giving them amazing smokey patterns.
Following the ancient process, we dug and loaded a pit with
sawdust, wood and a range of pots. Once the fire was lit, it
burnt steadily for 24 hours, under the direction of our PGCE
student and ceramic specialist, Hamish Evans. When the pit
has cooled, we were able to extract and clean up the finished
articles, which surpassed our expectations and taught us
all respect for this time-honoured technique. Layan is now
keen to continue exploring this process through the rest of
his coursework and has inspired a new branch of interest for
us as a department! Thanks Layan.
Nick Rangecroft
Page 18
Art
October saw another fantastic public exhibition at our
gallery which included work produced by our students,
and students from a number of local primary schools
including The Grove, Marldon and Diptford. The work on
show was based on the theme 'Movement' and included
a number of projected animations, sculptures, paintings,
murals, 'sound' sketches, collages and a particularly
strong collaborative 'growing drawing' that evolved over
the fortnight of the exhibition.
We 'closed' the show with a cool and groovy 'happening'
which was thoroughly enjoyed by staff, students and
visitors. The creative energy of this Movement inspired
group piece was very inspiring. Year 12 Dance students
performed 'Colours' with a variety of poster paints,
'drawing' with their bodies Yves Klein style! This was a
huge amount of fun – as you can see from the pictures!
Tim Wightman Team Leader of Art
Page 19
Foundation Art
Gallery
The London residential is an important event in the one year Art Foundation
calendar, not least for the way that our cohort of students gel as a group to
create lifelong friendships. A London project, based on first-hand research and
experience in galleries and beyond, is set and students are asked to develop this
body of work on their return, as part of their on-going Diploma-based assessment.
However, one of our primary reasons, is to view the huge range of art and crafts
on display in London galleries, as well as visiting Colleges of Art and Design in the
city which offer a range of degree courses.
Wendy Newman
Foundation Art Residential Trip to London
The London trip was great because it broadened the range of artists I am
interested in.
Rachel
This was a lovely taster of what is to come for us all. By being shown around
Wimbledon College of Art, we had a glimpse of the reality of what the future
might hold for us all. This has definitely reinforced the fact that our Foundation
course is the first step in preparing us for a rich creative future and I am now
more determined to succeed in reaching my goals.
Alex
I really enjoyed the London trip and loved being able to experience something
I really cared about with friends who share my own passion. The Victoria and
Albert museum contained a broad range of Arts and Crafts and I was amazed
by how varied the objects were in terms of cultures and periods.
Holly
Talya Zaki at the AOI World Illustration
Awards Exhibition at Somerset House
6 - 22 January
Students at the College display their photography in an OPENi
exhibition
26 - 27 January
The year 9 GCSE Art group have worked on ideas in response to
the plight of Syrian Refugees. This short display is of the work
produced and is also a fundraiser for War Child.
1 - 11 February
Devon Art Teachers from across the County showcase work from
their own individual practice as artists
23 February - 4 March
Artist Jenny Graham exhibits
8 - 24 March
Suzy Waldron – an exhibition of new work
13 - 28 April
Helen Billinghurst stages an exhibition in support of her PhD
3 - 13 May
Ed Tapper and Plymouth Poets join together
17 - 27 May
Annual KEVICC D&T Showcase of students' work
In the Gallery next year
Expanse
by Suzy Waldron
