For our contribution to this event we explored the concept of Value. Each pupil in the school made their own sculptural piece which examined the idea of what they value personally. Some pupils engaged in a more sensory level, choosing favoured sensory media to place into their bag while others chose symbol representations of their favoured items. The bags were all then decorated in a range of mediums to reflect the children’s individual creative expression and were then hung as a cohesive display together within the Exchange space. Empty bags and a range of creative materials were left behind along with symbol instructions as to how we were exploring the idea and the public were encouraged to create their own response to the work.
A number of pupils in the school were also able to contribute “a short film which welcomed people as they arrived in the space. This used speech, Makaton and sub-titles to give some context to the residency and invite members of the public to try something. People were occasionaly seen mirroring the signs” (ANDinclusive at the Tate Exchange 2018 Evaluation).
17 pupils from the school went for a day trip into the exchange space where they were able to participate in a dance workshop, create sculptural boxes, and watch drama and music performances from children at other SEN schools in London.
In addition our very own Kiah Milan was able to deliver one of 4, 10 Minute Tate Talks presented by pupils participating the exchange to the public. Using a symbol script written in partnership with a TA prior to the trip Kiah was able to compare a weaving that she had made with Sheila Hick’s Quipu de Cobré. Kiah had fantastic experience giving her talk and was walking very proudly through the gallery space.
