Exhibiting student work - a teachers' session at The Photographers' Gallery

by Chris Francis devnicely.co.uk

 I’m writing this on the train, returning from delivering a teacher session at The Photographers’ Gallery. The focus was on exhibiting student work and hopefully it proved a valuable evening for all who came along.
 
Alongside Jon Nicholls, PhotoPedagogy partner in crime, and Phil Scott, Director of Art at Brampton Academy, we shared a wide range of examples of various exploits – from Jon’s adventures with The Thomas Tallis Centre for Contemporary Art (previously known as a garden shed), to some insights into that camera, along with a whole range of other mischief. In particular it was great to hear about Phil’s various strategies for developing school displays and exhibition spaces, and how he encourages his students to experiment and share in playful ways.
 
You can see our presentation below, developed collaboratively in Google Slides:

The session was split into two sections with occasional breaks for prompted discussions. Part 1 was mostly sharing examples of practice; Part 2 was to be a practical activity responding to Gregory Crewdson’s Cathedral of the Pines exhibition that was on in the gallery.
 
With this in mind, earlier in the day - prior to dashing for the train from Bournemouth to London - I left my Year 13 students with a little challenge.  My hope was that if they came good it might provide some inspiration. Thankfully they didn’t disappoint.

Year 13 students, quickly making the shell for an installation

Year 13 students have been working on their Text Exchange project and so their last few lessons have been centered on developing literacy skills. It seemed timely to shake things up a bit. I set them a challenge to create an installation in an afternoon, reflecting on the Text Exchange project so far and, importantly, to share a video of their efforts by 6.00pm - to inspire a room full of teachers, no less. I think the suggestion that their UCAS statement could mention they’ve shown work in The Photographers’ Gallery might have also helped. (That’s okay, right?). Anyhow, they delivered on time and I nervously pressed play to watch their efforts for the first time alongside everyone else.

Here’s what they came up with:

So the bar had been set and instructions were delivered to those in attendance: Produce a pop-up exhibition, using a limited range of materials – paper, mostly, or whatever else was to hand (mobile phones, bodies, anything) – in response to The Cathedral of the Pines.
 
It is such a treat to work with creative teachers.

The responses were unpredictable, diverse and thought provoking. There was a Crewdsonesque figure, contorted and illuminated behind a doorway; a paper hut glowing from beneath a table; a pencil-forest with beautifully cast shadows; a table-top, sparsely furnished with a mobile phone on looping audio.  This was all remarkably powerful.

As each group shared their outcomes there was a moment when the room collectively tuned in to that particular frequency unique to creative experiences - when everything stills and art weaves its magic. Perhaps the low lights and a glass of wine may have helped, but hey, no matter. Good things were happening here.
 
Hopefully all those who came along at the end of busy days also felt the same. Jon and I would like to say thanks to everyone who attended, Year 13 students at St Peter’s, Phil Scott, and especially to Janice McLaren, Head of Education at The Photographers’ Gallery, for organising everything and being such a positive presence throughout.  We'd certainly love to hear if any of the ideas shared prove useful in other classrooms. CF