Year 5 Tate Modern trip

In the Junior school, we went on our second Art trip of the year. The Year 5 pupils represented themselves and the school exceptionally en-route and in the gallery. It was a delight to hear their discussions about the artworks, see them sketching and even finishing off notes and drawings on the train on our way home. They impressed teaching staff, the public and the gallery staff. I couldn’t have been more impressed by the curiosity and confidence.

The purpose of the trip was to expose students to a range of artworks in a gallery setting. The year group split into smaller groups with a teacher, but the students led their visit. They focused on artwork that they felt reflected themselves, engaged their senses and provoked questions. It empowered them to engage with the artworks and an Art space uninhibited by the pretensions that can often be associated with cultural spaces.

The diversity and age of the Artworks can be challenging for some and not to everyone’s taste, but our students were open to explore and question artworks.

“The Tate Modern is an incredible art gallery, full of artwork for everyone to enjoy regardless of age.”
Sanaa (5M)

They often selected artworks that surprised us and made interesting personal connections. Some popular pieces that the students explored were:

^{Cildo Meireles, Babel. (Left)
Sand (ringn ‘66) by Barry Flanagan. (Centre)
Yto Barrada, Palm Sign. (Right)}

Sand (ringn ‘66) by Barry Flanagan.

It was made by pouring a hundredweight (50.8 kilograms or 112 pounds) of sand onto the floor. Once 112 pounds (50.8 kg) of sand had been poured, four handfuls of sand were taken from the top of the mound, and one of them was poured down each side which resulted in a pile of sand.

“I really like this artwork because of its simplicity and precision.”
Krisha

Yto Barrada, Palm Sign.

‘My favourite artwork was a three-dimensional ombre palm tree art piece. It was a vivid sight, an array of rainbow speckles all glistening around in a dim lit room.’
Sanaa (5M)

^{Henri Matisse, Snail}

‘It was so surreal to me that famous artists actually produced these artworks, and we were in the room where they were.’
Sophia H

Seeing art in a gallery setting allows us a sense of adventure and discovery that printed images do not. It allows you to fully engage with its scale and tactile quality. Sometimes as with Cildo Meireles, ‘Babel’ it also engages other senses. The girls were delighted at seeing artwork installations and light work that they genuinely hadn’t known could be used as an artistic medium. I hope that many, if not all our students come away from this experience feeling that they belong in these types of spaces. We are fortunate to be situated within reach of so much rich culture.

If you have not been yourself, myself and the Year 5 and 6 pupils would highly recommend it. Just remember that you don’t need to like everything or even understand it. See how it makes you feel and what it makes you think about. Enjoy!

Mrs Claire Bird
Junior Teacher of Art