Key Stage 4 Art & Design - SPRING 2022
 
Pupils have been wowed and inspired by a video describing the works and exhibitions of Japanese Artist - Yayoi Kusama.
 
Yayoi was renowned for her work with polka dots and pumpkins. After watching the video and answering questions relating to her artwork, pupils created their own ceramic pumpkin using terracotta clay, clay tools and a spoon to scoop out the clay.
 
We worked using the step-by-step method, so all pupils felt inclusive, and they could work at a natural pace.
 
Pupils took part in the following steps to create these fantastic miniature pumpkins in the style of Yayoi Kusama.
 
 
  • Pat and turn clay into a sphere
     
  • Cut the sphere into two - 2 X hemispheres
     
  • Scoop out the clay as if you were eating a boiled egg!
     
  • Replace the centres with rolled up paper towels
     
  • Score the inside edges of the hemispheres with a clay tool and run water along them
     
  • Push the two halves together again
     
  • Smooth using a kidney
     
  • Pat whole sphere onto a board to make it pumpkin shaped
     
  • Add lines and circles and dots with clay tools and sections of copper pipe
     
  • Make a stalk using spare clay - a cone shape with mark making
     
  • Attach by scoring and adding water, before pushing gently together
     
All pupils worked extremely hard and were very engaged for the whole of the session. One of our gifted and talented pupils decided to make his pumpkin independently using his own method, , once shown a photograph of one of Yayoi's pumpkins.
 
 
Well done 4L - Excellent work!
 
 
A photograph of Yayoi Kusama with her pumpkins as part of her 'Infinity' exhibition.