Sea Fever
Each year Derby Museums work with thousands of school children across the city and surrounding area. The Schools Summer Showcase displays work produced by children in response to the museum’s Collections. This year, children take inspiration from Joseph Wright’s painting ‘A Grotto in the Gulf of Salerno, Moonlight’ 1780. The exhibition will share the significance of Joseph Wright of Derby with children who will take an imaginative journey and produce creative work in response to the chosen painting. The gallery space will bring together diverse reactions from schools across Derby. Asterdale was one of the schools which participated in this project and what follows is a selection of drawings and preparatory work they produced as part of their journey. School Summer Showcase SEA FEVER 9 June to 4 November 2012 Derby Museum & Art Gallery The Strand Derby DE1 1BS 01332 641901
Joseph Wright ‘A Grotto in the Gulf of Salerno, Moonlight’ 1780.
Asterdale Primary School Year 4 Teacher: Mrs Ruth Sheard Artist: Kate Smith Chloe Ball Sebbie Banks Abbie Bareja Kyra Blackwell Max Chambers Harry Cresswell Ellie Crossley Taylor Ford Samantha Hadson Joshua Hutchinson Callum Macintyre
Arjun Nazran Lucy Patrick Jimmy Payne Lewis Roe Kaine Rowbottom Ilarnah Scoular Ellen Simpson Joshua Stevenson Latitia Tomlinson Ian Walsh
Sea Fever When I was first approached about this project I didn’t really have any idea what it would entail. The question in any teacher’s mind is always ‘How can I integrate this in to my planning?’ I needn’t have worried though; it wasn’t a case of what is going to fit, it was more a question of how am I going to get everything in! After meeting with staff at the museum and other teachers participating in the project I’d got an idea of the kind of direction I envisioned us going in. The theme of pirates played heavily in the beginning and I could see straight away the possibilities for making treasure maps in our coordinates and direction topic in maths. But after talking with my class about the painting we came up with a whole new scenario. We are in the little sailing boat that you can see from the grotto, sailing in the Bay of Salerno. We have heard that there is treasure hidden in the cave and we are travelling under the cover of moonlight to discover its’ hidden wealth. What we find when we get there though is a different kind of treasure,
those revealed to us by the sea. In the darkness of the cave we discover a magical, captivating kingdom in the enchanted rock pools at our feet. On the basis of this narrative Year 4 collectively wrote a poem exploring the idea of treasures of the deep and used the colours of different gemstones to describe the objects they could see. We now had a definite theme to work on with our artist. My class and I were very privileged to work with artist Kate Smith. She was incredibly enthusiastic about our rock pool theme and this filled me with confidence too. Kate had such a wonderful way with the children and knew just how to inspire and encourage them to get the best out of each of them. It was astounding to see not only confidence but also ability levels grow so much even after just one lesson. Each child was so engrossed and focused about this project and even those children who sometimes struggle, responded in such a positive way. Concentration levels soared and Kate had had such a clear vision about what she anticipated at the end that it was impossible not to be infected by her excitement and enthusiasm and I know
the children felt this way too. Our work is based around sea anemones, shells, fish and jelly fish, the inhabitants of rock pools. Kate played with the idea of scale and we began with giant anemones and urchins. Children took their time and drew detailed drawings of urchins, shells, anemones and fish; these were transferred on to acetate and then projected on to a large sheet of paper to copy. The children filled these line drawings with pattern using felt pens and muted the colours by putting pencil crayon over the top. They drew giant jelly fish on acetate in the same way to get that translucent feel, then began drawing a variety of boats in detail on different scales so that there were a range of sizes. I am so thankful to Derby Museum for giving my class the opportunity to be part of this amazing project. All of the children, regardless of their academic or artist abilities have gained so much from being able to participate. Confidence levels have soared, artistic ability has shown massive signs of improvement and the children have had the perfect chance to work with an outstanding, creative artist! Ruth Sheard
Sea Fever Swishing through the water Moonlight ripples on its surface The dark, shadowy grotto approaches slowly Mysterious, enigmatic, impenetrable The boat comes to an unhurried halt As we clamber out of our rocking vessel Butterflies flutter in our bellies At the thought of uncovering hidden treasure Our feet slide over craggy rocks But we keep our balance The cave is as dark as a starless night We hug the walls as we enter Suddenly a warm light bounces off the walls as the lantern is unshuttered Scary shadows dance around us We lower the lantern
And discover an enchanted world at our feet Reflecting of a diamond flecked sandy bed Twinkles a flexible, golden star It’s long, soft arms bumpy like bark The lantern sways and the world shifts We see a poisonous, emerald sphere, It’s prickly spikes shimmering in the water Nearby a ruby starfish, encrusted with pearls clasps a glowing shell Feet slip over slimy rocks and the world changes again In an adjacent pool flotsam has gathered A small empty casket lies half covered among sapphire netting It’s precious contents long gone, Taken by the feverish depths of the cruel sea We take a final look around the magical cave Prepared to leave without the untold riches are imaginations had promised Our pockets are empty but our hearts are richer with the thought that The sea has revealed its own hidden treasures to us