It’s been an interesting week. Last Friday was my first day working at a strict Muslim school in South London, after the first session was cancelled due to weather conditions (I still went to the school, who “didn’t have my number” to let me know). Having been filled in by the artist who used to work there before me, I had a vague idea of what was allowed in art lessons within the religious beliefs. Not being able to represent human beings (faces or body parts) nor animals can pose a problem, but I have so far mostly been able to avoid it.
That aside, the school staff have so far been unusually amazing. For those who have worked in schools, in a freelance or one-off capacity, the following won’t come as a surprise: more often than not, when I go into a school I have the feeling of being ignored at best, or treading on toes at worst. Hence, I keep my head down and my thoughts to myself. I’m rarely treated as a teacher and never treated as an artist.**
Having a female-only staff room is an interesting experience, but far from the often tense atmosphere that pervades, the teachers here have been inclusive and friendly.
I also got away with doing a project I REALLY wanted to do. The school theme was “healthy eating” (so much fun – please don’t make me do it!) but luckily the year 5 teacher agreed to let me work with the children on a proposal for the Fourth Plinth. If all goes well, you’ll be able to see the work as part of this new initiative:
Forget apples & bananas, this is interesting! I hadn’t been excited about a project in schools for a while, what with all the Egyptian masks, Caribbean fruits & QCA skills I was asked to cover in my previous school…. We’ll see what the kids – who have very basic art skills for their age -come up with.
On another note: after months of waiting, I finally moved into a new flat. I’ll leave my reflection on that for another time though.
**I get the feeling most art practitioners have had similar experiences?
