Our L6^th Form Artists and Art & Textiles Enrichments groups enjoyed an inspired series of tours and workshops organised by Wells Cathedral...  

Our recent series of trips to Wells Cathedral offered a unique and golden opportunity to venture between multiple venues across the city to explore medieval and modern forms of art. To kick start the adventure, the L6^th Form artists experienced a magical whirlwind tour of the Cathedral with our guide, Robin. His enthusiasm was boundless with an engaging journey into the context of the 800-year-old Cathedral, with a celebration of its rich history and countless stories carved in stone.

The catalyst for the trip centred around a new sculptural work by Antony Gormley entitled DOUBT. Installed on the West Front of Wells Cathedral in the summer 2021, Gormley aims to challenge the concept of belief. The hunched geometric iron figure positioned in a niche on the exposed Northern end encourages pause for thought. Gormley’s work challenges us to contemplate the purpose of the building devoted to belief itself. This dichotomy between utter doubt in stark contrast to the gothic sandstone figures standing proudly on the majestic façade, displaying their regal, military, and divine attributes. Gormley’s abstract figure certainly generated a space for dialogue and throughout we considered the concept of belief, time, and the power of storytelling.  

After stepping back in time, we had a welcome opportunity to reflect and activate our model making skills with a ceramic workshop led by Jess Witchell to consolidate and capture elements of the pupil’s experience in clay. Following on from this we met Hilary Waters from Wells Mendip Museum to discover how geometry has been used in different ways by artists and stonemasons with insights into the masons’ tools. We investigated forms of medieval architecture focusing on symmetry, arches, and leading lines. After further examination of the West Front, we discovered techniques designed to draw your eye upwards towards the heavenly realm. To brush up on our geometry skills both the L6^th Form & Enrichment groups had an opportunity to produce their own gothic arches, quatrefoils and repeat patterns to generate a series of initial starting points.

As we departed, the layered façade of the West Front played a wonderful game in all its splendid glory as the light activated the array of figures. On reflection, Gormley’s work has achieved his ambition of making space for a contemporary state of mind and his interest in the human figure. As the work ‘DOUBT’ opens a new and exciting chapter into examining what it means to be human? Both groups will have an opportunity to draw upon this wide-ranging experience and look to develop these skills and insights into their projects over the coming weeks.

Many thanks to Jess, Robin, Hilary, and Christine for sharing their expertise and inspiring our pupils during both visits, till next time!

George Cole - Art Teacher

Flickr album: Art - L6th Form Trip to Wells Antony Gormley Workshop - 28th February 2022 | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin