Wow, Look what we've done!

I am one very proud tutor, everyone has worked extremely hard on a difficult project. I am so impressed.

Here are some images of the finished pieces and a wee Stone carving film that was filmed and edited by Chris Falan.

geometric

Broomy's Bees

Merino sheep

The shape of the stone in the images with bird and derrick is to represent the bell shapes that were at the top of the towers on the now demolished Drumfrochar Road Flats. 

Moving the stones

After getting everything going yesterday we have discovered that we were put in the wrong place.
So it's all change, luckily Rebecca was here to help me lift the stones up and down. The benches weren't too difficult to move, just unwieldy.

No young ones turned up for the morning lesson which was a bit of a shame but also really useful.
Heras fencing was put up for us by a very nice as well as helpful man, and we covered it in tarps to prevent the stone pieces flying out of our compound.

our sculpture compound

Move over and this site is much better, for light and the fact that we can be seen by passers by. The idea is to get the community interested in the project because it's about their area, Broomhill.

The ideas that appeared this morning from the homework I set yesterday are inspiring. I really enjoyed hearing the stories from everyone about this area, where their parents/grandparents had worked, what it was like, and who had actually lived in the flats that are being demolished.

Broomhill, Greenock

As said in last post, here are some images and writings about my time in Greenock.

The benches were already when I'd arrived the day before and the stone was sitting outside waiting patiently, luckily Karen had brought along a trolley. Got some of the stones into place with the trolley and a judicious use of palettes to raise them to a better level and then had some help lifting them onto the benches from our photographer, Chris.

Mornings were with the younger members of the community, unfortunately only one girl turned up on day 1 but she got the hang of the tools very quickly with the file being a favourite.

Afternoon, and the adults got their turn.

The first day was spent getting to know each other and teaching a little about how to use the tools. One of the group already worked with wood so had a bit of a head start with hammer and chisel.

practicing

Steps forming

These images show the progress of a couple of the students who had never used hammer and chisel, impressed me. This next one is from the only guy on the course. He had used woodworking tools previously. 

It was a great beginning and everyone left excited, even though I gave them a little homework which was to bring back images that they'd like to use on the stone. 

beginnings of the bell

After all had left, I got to work on one of the stones and started it's transformation into a bell.

Artist in Residence - Broomhill, Greenock

A quick post just to let you all know that I had an amazing time in Greenock. The participants in the sculpture course were a delight to teach, adults and children alike.
The course came about because of  Rig Arts (http://www.rigarts.org) an award winning socially engaged charity. Their idea is to bring the community together with professional artists in a collaborative way. (Their words) Using any creative means at their disposal.

It has been a pleasure to be a part of this.

More to be added to this post, especially images.