Art comes out of the classroom at Lynn school

A sculpture featuring a stack of 350 hand-crafted chairs is just one of the attractions at a Lynn secondary school where art is taking centre stage this month.

Entitled ‘Hope for a Better Future’, the installation is currently on display in reception at Springwood High School and was created by the school’s Year 7 students, who drew inspiration from Colombian-born artist Doris Salcedo’s 2003 work ‘1550 Chairs’. 

“In ‘Chairs’, she takes stacks of chairs and heaps them together to symbolise the history of migration and displacement in the city of Istanbul,” explained Lee Eveson, Head of Art and Photography at Springwood, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust. 

“Year 7 wanted to create their own version of this to show support for all of the people who have been displaced across the world.

“We believe it is important that our students are aware of world events and are able to talk and think about different situations across the world. Art is a universal language and is often a very conceptual way of exploring our own thoughts and feelings.”

Other students are also showcasing their artwork at the school, with two separate solo exhibitions currently taking place.

“We have started to create exhibition spaces at Springwood to encourage students to think in a more professional manner, to create collections of work,” explained Mr Eveson, who is himself a professional artist. “This in turn will not only help develop their own practice and portfolio for university applications, but also gives the student a real boost of encouragement.

“It also raises the profile of art and creative subjects across the school, and gives students and visitors the opportunity to see some of the amazing work that goes on across the school, which in turn raises the aspirations of the younger students.

 “These individual shows are new for us and have been very well received so far by staff, students, and visitors to the school.”

A Level student Lily Rolf is in Year 12 at Springwood, and works in mixed media, including acrylic, oil paint, and textiles such as denim, bed sheets and stitching.

The 17-year-old’s ‘Family Bonds’ exhibition comprises five portraits ranging in height from 50cm to 180cm, as well as a number of sketchbook pieces.

“Lily’s work is based currently on portraits of her family,” continued Mr Eveson. “She uses traditional and non-traditional means of producing these, such as cutting up old clothing and fabrics to create the bases of her portraits.

“Her work explores the closeness of family, and so we thought this would be an excellent title for her current exhibition.”

Photographer and fellow sixth former Maria Lewis, also aged 17, is the second student exhibiting at the school, with her ‘Portraits in Colour’ images on show in the foyer.

“Maria wanted to complete a set of 10 portraits of different students from African heritage that go to Springwood High School, as a way of celebrating the cultural diversity and heritage of the school population” said Mr Eveson.

“The concept and creation of this exhibition was all Maria’s idea. When she started talking to me about the concept and the narratives she wanted to explore, I was very excited to see what she came up with, and she didn’t disappoint me.

“I think it is important that we celebrate all areas of our community at Springwood High School. We do this through all of the creative media, and it is one of the strengths of the school.”

The work of Springwood’s students will also feature in a WNAT Art Exhibition, due to take place at the Guildhall Galleries in King’s Lynn in November.

“Art and Photography are very important at Springwood High School, with about a quarter of all students choosing one of these options at GCSE, and A Level photography being in the top 15 per cent nationally for a number of years,” added Mr Eveson.