"Art is the means by which we communicate what it feels like to be alive.."
It is vital that the art classroom is a place where children can use their imaginations. Children should be able to explore a range of different techniques and styles of art, in order to discover and express themselves in any way they wish. With a specific focus on the senses, the body and space, Antony Gormley is a particularly appropriate artist for teaching and learning in the primary classroom.
The relationship between the artwork, audience and subject matter is quite significant in Gormley’s work and this can be explored through a number of different activities in the classroom. Working with a range of different materials will engage children of all ages and hopefully encourage them to think about the meaning they are trying to communicate through their individual artwork.
Importantly, the key thing to aspire to when using visual arts in the classroom is summed up perfectly by Gormley himself- “Immersion is the most important issue for art at the moment.” With this taken into account, the visual arts classroom can be a successful one for all children.