Discovering Sculpture

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The following has been designed to give you information in advance of your visit to Manchester Art Gallery so that you can get the most out of your morning or afternoon activity session.

Aims:

Blotter Figures II (detail) by Juan Munoz, 2002

  • To introduce and welcome visitors to the Art Gallery collections and exhibitions
  • To gain knowledge and understanding of historical and contemporary art
  • To learn about the processes used by artists
  • To explore the connection between drawing and sculpture and how each process informs the other
  • To use exhibitions to connect and inform the pupils current art practice
  • To develop an awareness of the gallery as a learning resource

What happens in a session:

  • A gallery tour will focus on key pre-selected exhibits and if relevant a current Special Exhibition
  • Pupils will explore art works and consider how the work was made, influences and how artists from the past inform the work of current artists
  • The students will develop drawings generated within the tour in a practical workshop, using wire, withes and wool
  • On moving around the Gallery, pupils will become familiar with contemporary art forms and styles
  • Pupils will discover ways of finding more information about exhibits on display and how to use the Gallery as a valuable learning resource

Preparation:

  • Prior to the visit, discuss the value of directly experiencing 'real' objects through a gallery visit
  • Discuss processes in general terms i.e., push, pull, stretch, cover, to aid pupils vocabulary
  • Explain the reasons for no touching or eating in the galleries, i.e. for the protection and conservation of artworks
  • Bring a minimum of 1 adult to 10 pupils

Follow Up:

  • Use the sculptural objects to display in the classroom and allow the pupils to draw from their own artwork using chalks, oil pastels or charcoal
  • Explore other processes used to create sculpture, e.g. clay, plasticine, papier-mache
  • Revisit the Gallery to look at the range of artworks in the collection

For more information including booking, parking, facilities and a downloadable risk assessment, please go to plan your visit.