Elephant under a Tower
This bronze cast sculpture by Andrew Burton was originally made for the Gateshead Garden Festival 1990. During the festival it will have been seen by thousands of people. Since 1990 it has been hidden away in a garden on a small business park on the other side of the river Tyne.
This lesson plan looks at how the work was made and can be used to start a sculpture project.
Key Stage:
KS3&4 Art and DesignOverview:
This lesson plan can be used to:Start a sculpture project.
Develop ideas and understanding of processes and materials.
As part of study of any artist using casting as part of their process.
Background
Elephant under a Tower by Andrew Burton was originally commissioned for the 1990 Gateshead Garden Festival site with two other sculptures by the artist. On the Garden festival site it was called Elephant under a Moroccan Edifice but the name was altered when re-sited at Newcastle Business Park. The sculpture is made in bronze.
Classroom Activity - Part 1
Give your group the link below and get them to study the 3D version of the sculpture. Try and get them to work out what tools and materials the artist used to make this sculpture by going in close and examining the surface of the sculpture.
Sketchfab 3d model
A clue...it might have been made in one material first and then transformed into another.
Classroom Activity - continued
Now show them this page in the Gateshead Garden Festival brochure Festival Landmarks that tell us more about the Andrew Burton sculptures and include a quote from Andrew about his technique.
Download gardenfestivalbrochure.pdf
Classroom Activity - continued
Watch this film and see if it helps
Classroom Activity - Part 2
Ask your students to sketch a design for a sculpture of an elephant with one other object. The additional object could be anything at all but they will need to have some justification for the choice. Refer back to Andrew Burton’s explanation in the Garden Festival brochure.
Classroom Activity - Part 3
Using any material you have in your classroom get each student to make an elephant sculpture. Here are some other sculptures to give you ideas for possible techniques or styles.
Download Elephant ideas sheet.pdf
Development Activity:
Study CultureStreet's section on the bronze cast works of Joan Miró
Learning Objectives:
Pupils should understand the techniques of modelling and casting
Research, Notes and Links:
Download this lesson plan
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More Elephants from ArtUK