Airyhall School unveils contemporary artwork inspired by pupils

07 September 2016

A work of contemporary art commissioned and inspired by pupils was unveiled at Airyhall School today (Tuesday 6 September).

The work by professional artist Jason Nelson was based on the pupils’ own drawings and writings portraying the school as a character. It takes pride of place in the school entrance.

As a result of their artistic endeavours, the pupils who help form Airyhall’s Public Art committee have been nominated for a Creative Learning Award in Aberdeen City Council’s Children and Young People’s Services Awards 2016

Creative Learning worked with pupils, to devise interview questions for the shortlisted five artists, drawn from the length and breadth of the country. Three pupils along with the Head Teacher at Airyhall and a representative from the Creative Learning team made up the interview panel which selected Jason Nelson.

Head Teacher, Alison Thomson said: “We have been collaborating with the Creative Learning Team and Jason to produce an innovative and contemporary piece of public art which encapsulates what our school means to staff, children and the local community”.

Angela Taylor, Convener of the Education and Children’s Services Committee at Aberdeen City Council said: “This is a wonderful piece of collaborative work which has captured the minds of the pupils and staff alike.

 “The result is a fantastic and lasting tribute to the pupils’ imagination, enthusiasm and talent for which they fully deserve their Creative Learning Award nomination”.

 The text, or 'word collages' forming the work, can be read in sequence or as words or sentiment, and they are written from the perspective of the school, based on the pupils’ writings Jason gathered in workshops. Here is an example of one of the ‘word collages’:

 I see you most days cars parking children playing lots of talking hustle and bustle.

 I hear laughing and crying conversations expanding your ideas multiply with time

I care for your knee scrapes every thought is important you are the reason I am here

 I watch as you pass through the years as you grow as your path takes you forward

 From your first day to your last day I am sad when you leave but proud to watch you go