Staff & Philosophy
Staff
Paul Deller - Head of Department
BA Hons, Fine Art Painting, St.Martin's School of Art
Specialisms: Drawing, Collage, Photography
House Tutor in Lamb A and Old Blue
Gerrard Whiteley
BA Hons, Fine Art Bath Academy of Art
Specialisms: 3D, Wood and Painting
House Tutor in Maine A
Stuart Cowley - Head of History of Art
BA Hons Art History & Fine Art
Specialisms: Art History, Painting and Printmaking
House Tutor in Peele A
Helen Higgins - Artist-in-Residence
BA Hons Fine Art, University of Chichester
Specialisms: Printmaking, Felt Making, Interventions
Lynne Morrow - Sewing Room
BA Hons, Fashion, University of Lancashire, Preston
MA, Fashion Knitwear, St.Martin's School of Art
Specialisms: Designing, Knitting,
House Tutor in Coleridge B
Philosophy, Aims and Practice
Art has a significant contribution to make to the development of every individual. Intuition, creativity, sensibility and sensory motor co-ordination are as vital for pupils as are the more academic skills. In developing the full variety of human intelligence art is a fundamental way of organizing our understanding of the world, requiring profound qualities of discipline, insight and a firm grounding in knowledge.
The physical interaction between individual and materials should cover as wide a range of media, processes and methods as possible. This, and the study of art of the past and present, is integral. It provides a means of formulating and clarifying the pupil's own ideas as well as gaining a grounding of art history.
In making art it should:
- be intended - art does not happen accidentally
- have a subject matter - meaning
- function on numerous levels to be appreciated intellectually, emotionally and visually
The department's philosophy, aims and exam requirements provide a structure both intellectual and practical. Learning takes place in a multiplicity of ways and situations and the department's wish is to work pupils across as many disparate situations and working practices as possible. Fostering artistic and experimental growth, we present pupils with problem solving situations that challenge perceptions, guided discovery procedures and opportunities to create and discover how to make sense of a small, but important, part of their lives.
Our philosophy is a fluid and changing thing that is influenced by exam boards, a changing staff and pupil body and a shifting cultural climate. Evolution is integral to a healthy, dynamic and thriving art department.
The pupils are actively encouraged to take ownership of their work and projects are devised to allow individuality to flourish. In taking control of the generation of ideas, decision making and results pupils develop a growing responsibility for their creative growth. Teachers work with their ideas wherever possible so that the work created is genuinely personal to each pupil. The pupils who opt for Art from the LE through to Grecians are given an Art Pack that contains the basic materials that they need to make artwork whilst in the department and back at house.
Artist-in-Residence
The role of the Artist is to continue applying themselves to their art practice, generating a body of work, whilst in an environment where their skills can be passed on to pupils and staff alike. They work with the pupils alongside a teacher who takes responsibility for the class in every way. This frees the artist to concentrate on what they are best at, passing on their skills and knowledge to groups and individuals with specific needs, both in and around the timetable of lessons.
Whilst the A-in-R is very active in their studio practice they also have a big presence in the department as a member of the team of staff. They give a lecture on their work during the course of the year to the students and wider community and the residency culminates in a one-person show at the end of the summer term.