Future Fossils

We were invited to create an artwork with the care-experienced children from St. Catherine’s Primary School in Paisley for their exciting new outdoor learning area! The project was inspired by a beautiful existing relief sculpture by Charles Anderson, which is displayed at the entrance of the school. This sculpture, dating back to the early ’70s when the school first opened, became the perfect starting point for our creative journey. After a lively discussion with the children, we all agreed that the sculpture resembled fossilised trilobites, and that sparked a fun idea: why not create our very own ‘Future Fossils’?

The children’s imaginations soared as they envisioned what creatures might roam the school grounds in a distant future, when Paisley’s climate could be very different from today. We turned these fascinating ideas into reality by sculpting creatures in clay, which the children then cast in ceramic. Each creature was decorated by the kids with a mix of oxides and glazes, adding their personal flair to every piece. The finished ceramic panels, each showcasing a unique creature, are now proudly installed in the outdoor learning area, where everyone can admire the kids’ creativity and the wonderful stories they imagined.

It was such a joy to watch the children’s ideas come to life and to see them so excited about leaving their mark on their school’s new space. The artwork is not only a beautiful addition to the learning area, but also a reminder of their incredible imaginations and the power of working together.

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