Studio visit neigh bother for young artists
07/03/2013 16:01:50
Enterprising students reaped a reward for their hard work by winning a visit to world famous sculptor Andy Scott’s Glasgow studio –featuring one of the artist’s trademark giant horses.
The six senior pupils from James Hamilton Academy, Kilmarnock, were awarded the trip as their prize for best architectural model in the recent schools’ Interaction design challenge, a Dragons’ Den competition held in East Ayrshire Council HQ.
The team – Rebecca Mackie, Aimee McCabe, Hayley McMillan, Danielle Murray, Sarah Thomson and Natalie Waddell – were praised by Andy for their “really funky design”.
Andy is a figurative sculptor, working in galvanised steel, fibreglass and cast bronze, specialising in public art. His work can be found in locations in the UK, USA and Australia. His Heavy Horse sculpture of a Clydesdale has become one of the best known artworks in Scotland. Sited beside the M8 motorway between Glasgow and Edinburgh, it stands 4.5 metres tall at the head and is made of galvanised steel round bars.
The artist welcomed the young people to his huge warehouse studio in Maryhill, where he showed them his work and answered their questions. The pupils – amazed at the large scale works in process – gained a real insight into art practice.
Aimee McCabe said: “I was speechless when I saw Andy Scott’s sculptures! I loved seeing them up close and I can appreciate his work more now that I’ve seen how much effort went into it. I felt very inspired and loved to hear about his techniques”.
Sarah Thomson said: “The passion in Andy’s work is clear and it has made me feel inspired to follow through with something that I enjoy”.
Rebecca Mackie added: “I thought that Andy Scott’s work was the most amazing thing I have seen. It was a great experience”.
Andy said: “It was a pleasure to host the James Hamilton pupils when they came to the studio last week to see my work and the environment I work in.
“It was a great opportunity for the young people to visit at this time, as I’m currently just meeting a deadline to deliver a 5 metre high steel horse, mounted on a 10 metre column and a 6 metre high steel female figure, both for the city of Leeds. It showed the pupils the type and scale of work I do and the effort it takes to make it.
“Hopefully it will inspire them to believe in themselves, work hard and make a successful career in the creative sector.”
Councillor Stephanie Primrose, Spokesperson for Lifelong Learning, said: “It was a great idea to award this unique opportunity as a prize in the Interaction competition. The young people had created a model and are now in a strong position to move forward with the construction process of the finished piece.
“Seeing Andy’s magnificent sculptures and hearing first-hand about his techniques has totally inspired them”.
ends
For further information, contact Elaine Scott on 01563 576013 or email elaine.scott@east-ayrshire.gov.uk