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Students created mixed-media clay sculptures of coral reefs in order to raise awareness of the environmental impact our actions are having on the oceans, in particular the issues surrounding plastic waste. Over 220 students worked together to create the final artwork. A focus for the project was highlighting the UN Sustainable Development Goal 14, Life Under Water.
Students and staff donated colourful plastic bags, plastic wrappers and plastic straws and students explored creative and innovative ways to re-use and re-purpose them and combine with clay in order to create their coral sculptures.
Before creating their sculptures students collected a range of research about coral reefs and explored the work of contemporary sculptors Dale Chihuly and Courtney Mattison, illustrator Yellena James and artist Henri Matisse.
The sculptural installation was displayed in the school library alongside a selection of books about this topic to encourage students to explore this topic further.
Students and staff donated colourful plastic bags, plastic wrappers and plastic straws and students explored creative and innovative ways to re-use and re-purpose them and combine with clay in order to create their coral sculptures.
Before creating their sculptures students collected a range of research about coral reefs and explored the work of contemporary sculptors Dale Chihuly and Courtney Mattison, illustrator Yellena James and artist Henri Matisse.
The sculptural installation was displayed in the school library alongside a selection of books about this topic to encourage students to explore this topic further.
Artist Investigation and idea development
Students researched and investigated the techniques and methods used by sculptor and ceramicist Courtney Mattison. The concepts and ideas behind Courtney Mattison's work were analysed and interpreted by students through group discussion using critical thinking routines.
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Creating coral compositions
Coral pen and watercolour compositions created in response to the work of contemporary illustrator Yellena James. Students explored and developed coral reef compositions prior to creating the collaborative coral reef sculpture.
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Plastic oceans mixed-media sculptures
Collaborative coral reef mixed media clay and plastic sculpture created by over 220 students. Students used a combination of clay and found plastic elements to create their sculptures in order to raise awareness of the issues surrounding plastic pollution in the oceans.
Curated book collection about environmental and ocean issue displayed alongside the artwork.
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Coral bleaching
220 students in year 5 (age 9-10) created a collaborative clay sculpture to raise awareness of the environmental impact our actions are having on the oceans, in particular the issues surrounding coral bleaching.
Students began their project by recording images of sea creatures using a wide range of techniques such as tonal drawing, mono-printing, oil pastel mark-making, colour blending and line drawing.
To develop their ideas further students analysed and explored the work of a wide range of artists. Students were inspired by the carefully observed scientific illustrations of artist and biologist Ernst Haeckel.
Students investigated coral bleaching and discussed ways to highlight the issue through the creation of art.
Students began their project by recording images of sea creatures using a wide range of techniques such as tonal drawing, mono-printing, oil pastel mark-making, colour blending and line drawing.
To develop their ideas further students analysed and explored the work of a wide range of artists. Students were inspired by the carefully observed scientific illustrations of artist and biologist Ernst Haeckel.
Students investigated coral bleaching and discussed ways to highlight the issue through the creation of art.
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Exhibition label created by students
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Problem solvingInspired by the powerful large-scale clay coral sculptures by artist Courtney Mattison, students experimented with creating their own responses.
Students were challenged to re-use found objects such as unwanted and broken plastic toys to create clay coral sculptures. Through testing, experimenting and trial and error, students explored ways to create convincing surface textures in clay using a variety of objects. Students further developed their clay sculptures by exploring colour theory and a range of acrylic painting techniques. 
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Experimenting with creating surface textures in clay using found objects as clay tools.
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Examples of the donated plastic toys students used to as clay texture tools. With an emphasis on sustainability, the tools have become a permanent clay resource in the art room.
Exploring warm and cool colour theory
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