Memory Drawing Workshops

I had been thinking about ways in which I could gather research which would inform the series of drawings which are to be completed and installed by the end of the summer in the school. I also wanted to change the method I have previously gathered research in other projects. Still looking at memory, we began a series of workshops two days ago where each class came to the school art room to do some drawing work as a starting point. I brought each class to the studio first in order to show them some examples of my work and explain my drawing practice which involves making drawings from memory.

I am hoping that through showing each student the techniques I use in my work, a better understanding of how the pieces are constructed and the time it takes to make a piece will be felt.


 Part of this project is a collaboration with dance artist, Cathy O' Kennedy. Cathy is a carrying out a dance in education project with the students and I have been looking at aspects of her work in order to reference the dance movements and shapes in my drawing works. Cathy together with the school, came up with with themes relating to Castledermot, ie the round tower, arches, the school and row of trees. In terms of the idea of place I asked the children to complete memory drawings of the round tower and also of there homes. The exercise began with the children taking a sheet of paper and picturing there front door at home. I asked them to draw every detail they could remember from letterboxes, doorknobs, mats, patterns etc. The drawing gradually grew out from the door to the window, wall, garden, upstairs etc. I explained to the children that they are like sat navs, navigating within their own memory.