The Art Department
The Art Department, located in the Wavell building, is purpose-built with plenty of space and good light. All the boys enjoy two Art lessons a week, but also have the opportunity to work on their own projects during the four weekly Art club sessions.
There are many mediums that a boy can explore and from these discover his true potential and expertise: drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, printmaking, textiles; or it may be from the study of a particular Art movement, or a topic which has particularly interested him. The skills of drawing, and the confidence derived, underpin all the projects carried out giving each boy the opportunity to enjoy learning how to draw.
All year groups are exposed to work of a diverse range of artists, old and new, and these are used to contextualise their practical projects. Large class projects are often undertaken and the results of these, and the boys’ own individual work, are proudly exhibited around the School, creating a creative, colourful and inventive atmosphere.
Recent projects have included responses to the work of Henry Moore, Alfred Wallis, Andy Warhol, Alberto Giacometti and John Maltby. Art from other cultures such as Aboriginal or Ancient Greek has also been used as a starting point and work from direct observation or from imagination is also encouraged. A wide range of materials is offered in classes: boys have worked with willow, wax batik, hand-rolled felt, recycled sculptural materials, wire and mod-roc as well as painting and drawing materials.
Regular visits are made to galleries and museums in Oxford and London. Favourites include the Royal Academy and the National Portrait Gallery and the local Pitt Rivers museum. On these occasions the boys enjoy and benefit from informative workshops presented by the in-house teams.
Art scholarships to senior schools are often undertaken, and boys’ work is entered for national Art competitions and prep school exhibitions. In the summer term, an exciting exhibition of the year’s best work is staged and visited by parents, friends and invited guests. This is a very rewarding occasion on which to end the artistic year.
The department is very well equipped. Recent donations have included a new kiln and throwing wheel, and a digital camera for boys to use and enjoy.