CRAFTED PROJECT 2011
FUNDED BY KILKENNY EDUCATIONAL CENTRE
GORESGRIDGE N.S.
We had 10 hours broken down into 5 sessions.
We decided to use as our theme the Craft Connections and links between Ghana and Ireland.
Class were already twinning with a school in Ghana so to tie in we looked at Ghanian fabrics,Adinkra abd kente discovered their symbolic nature and tried to see what in our culture linked with that we looked at Celtic imagery in the Book of Kells and then tried to design our own symbols with a meaning. The children were keen to do a batik bag so we used their own symbols on simple cotton bags.
Day one we mad a collaborative piece of ‘Paper fabric’. the children were involved in the process from start to finish. We made them aware that they were involved in the ‘Design process’ of the piece, they made the choices about the materials using what was provided as well as the colours.
I also showed them Angelina fibres in Demo.
Paper Fabric
Day two
E looked at Ghanian Adinkra and Kente cloths on the Whiteboard.
We discussed how symbols hold meaning and certain symbols signify things such as position in society.
The children then moved on to design their own symbols to use on their Bags in Batik. We may have not allowed enough time for this section but it was not a problem as i just left the equipment and Catherine finished them off.
We did make it clear to the children that the hot wax would hurt them if they touched as well as the metal parts of the Tjantings and the wax pot. They just have to be careful!
Day three
We intended to take wax off bags… wax the large piece of cotton and tie dye a large piece of cotton. the children had rinsed and dried the cotton for the session to remove any residues from the making the cotton that may interfere with the dying process.
Each child took it in turns to make a ‘Mark’ in hot wax on of the cotton pieces.
Some children got stones and tied the stones into the other piece of fabric.
Catherine waxed a bag and a piece of pre-dyed cotton.
We then set up a station for dying with two buckets of water and after some discussion we choose two colours, Green and Majenta.
Using Procion dyes the children helped me to weight the dye/salt mixture and the fixer.
We placed all of this into the cool water and and the children placed the fabric into the dyes.
I took the covered dye baths home as it was a Friday and to be on the safe side. Next day I took them out and hung them on my washing line!
It was a bit disjointed the children spent too much time waiting and were slightly dissatisfied that the pieces were not individual1
Large Collaborative pieces drying on my studio veranda
Day four
the children worked on designs for their printing blocks using wooden blocks that Nick had carefully sanded……string and or funky foam which we then stuck on the blocks with a heat gun( I did that) This took all morning so we are going to print and finish pieces next week.
Catherine and I decided that we would probably need extra time so I will come back Monday 21st to tie or sew it all together.
Day five
Catherine and spoke to the children about repeat patterns and how to think about using different colours as a repeat, they were fantastic and the pieces are beautiful, simple but hopefully inspiring and sewing seeds for their creativity and imaginations.
We printed the individual pieces and the group pieces. For the group piece we decided to do two different design shapes incorporating all the blocks.
I will be back on the 21st and we will combine some of these pieces to make and exhibition. I have no shots yet of the finished bags but will put them up as soon as I do.
I have to say it has been a lot of fun and i am looking forward to the feedback from the children. They have been writing up their response each week and I hope to get some of that!
