The Firework Tent was work that was made in direct response to the work produced by pupils of class 4B at Dunbar Primary School on the 5th November 2018. The school provided our group a brief that activities we teach the children have some relevance to an “Eco Warrior” theme. In response to the brief we decided to produce work using discarded fabrics and other waste materials to create art work. Since our day in the school was on Bonfire Night, we thought it be exciting for the children to create work that is based on the colours and structures of fireworks. In our own research into the identity of “eco warriors” we were intrigued by the methods used by “eco warriors” in peaceful protests.
Discovering that many protesters camp within areas of the environment that they believe should be protected we concluded we would make a tent or shelter that is reflective of this form of environmental protest. My own role within the project was to teach the children basic methods of relief printing. Using corks, old toilet role tubes, lollypop sticks, and lino-cut stamps I encouraged the children create their own firework display using the techniques I have taught them. The children also were taught Embroidery, Drawing, Weaving and Tie Dying.
We gathered all the work produced and used them to create a shelter that is similar to a patch work blanket. The Firework Tent was a part of a collaborative exhibition “The Eco Warriors of Dunbar “ with other groups from Edinburgh Collage of Art in West Barns Studio in Dunbar.
Medium: Cotton Bed sheets, fabric Dye, embroidery using muslin and wool, prints using poster paints on black and white paper, Drawings that used charcoal, pro makers, oil pastels, chalk pastels, crayons and pencils, Weaving using carpet underlay and plastic bags and fabrics. Dimensions: 158 cmx138cm Location and Date Installed: West Barns Studios, 5th March 2019
By Louis Lisle, Rebecca Nipps, Keira Saunders and Meredith Mack
