GALLERY: Textiles workshop a '˜fantastic finale'

HAVING learned about landfill, children at a Southwick school followed up by thinking about what happens next.
S43730H13 Will Ansell with his work at the landfill art workshop at Glebe Primary School in SouthwickS43730H13 Will Ansell with his work at the landfill art workshop at Glebe Primary School in Southwick
S43730H13 Will Ansell with his work at the landfill art workshop at Glebe Primary School in Southwick

A textile workshop, led by Sompting artist Arthur Ridley, encouraged year-three pupils at Glebe Primary School to think about the land after it had been used for landfill.

Their artistic creations showed how it was turned back to a beautiful landscape, filled with plants and wildlife.

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Teacher Pauline Davies said: “It was a fantastic finale to their topic, What a Load of Rubbish!.

S43730H13 Will Ansell with his work at the landfill art workshop at Glebe Primary School in SouthwickS43730H13 Will Ansell with his work at the landfill art workshop at Glebe Primary School in Southwick
S43730H13 Will Ansell with his work at the landfill art workshop at Glebe Primary School in Southwick

“The children had to create a textile piece that reflected a landscape site post-landfill.”

A range of scrap fabrics and felt were used alongside wools and yarns to make the pictures.

Mr Ridley explained it was technique he had first invented to encourage his own children to work with textiles when they were too young for sewing.

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Mrs Davies said: “The children were completely engaged in this wonderful task.”

S43738H13 The textile art workshop at Glebe Primary School in SouthwickS43738H13 The textile art workshop at Glebe Primary School in Southwick
S43738H13 The textile art workshop at Glebe Primary School in Southwick

Mr Ridley, a retired teacher, has been working with the school on special projects for four years.

He said he felt it was vital to retain working with textiles in the school curriculum.

“Art and textiles affect you for the rest of your life, how you dress, how you decorate your home, your sense of colour,” he added.

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The children had responded well to the task and produced some stunning pieces, including a set of three textiles showing the progression from the busy landfill site to peaceful picturesque landscape.

Mr Ridley added: “This particular task has a real simplicity to it, but the final piece produced by every child just looks so good.”

Pupil Isobel Morrison was pleased with the results of her handiwork.

She said: “I really can’t wait to take my work home and put it up on my wall.”

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