This February, the V&A invited Intoart to develop workshops at the museum, designed to open up the collections to adults with learning disabilities. These 10 sessions were planned and delivered by Intoart co-founder Sam Jones and artist Mawuena Kattah, who used these workshops to share her research and art making skills.
© Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Planning sessions, which enabled Mawuena and Sam to closely explore the V&A’s collections, began with a tour of the museum. Led by guide Elizabeth Hamilton, Mawuena was able to identify objects of interest in the ceramics galleries. A ceramics handling session with assistant curator Catrin Jones, a visit to our print room with curator Frances Rankine and a workshop with ceramicist Matt Raw followed.
A varied programme of workshops-ranging from drawing, print making and ceramics- were borne out of these visits. And in May, we welcomed six adults from The Gate in Hammersmith to the museum for this series. Starting with exploratory gallery visits and handling sessions, participants developed a series of drawings in response to the museum’s ceramic collections.
© Victoria and Albert Museum, London
© Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Mawuena worked closely with workshop participants, as they experimented with a range of materials including watercolour pencils, inks and paint to produce 2D work. Pattern, texture and shape were explored as participants took inspiration from the works on display, with the Contemporary Ceramics gallery proving to be popular.
© Victoria and Albert Museum, London
As the project progressed, participants started to think about 3d forms, and how their designs could be translated into clay vessels. Mawuena and Sam were joined by ceramicist Louisa Taylor, who demonstrated how slip could be used to add colour and pattern.
© Victoria and Albert Museum, London
3D forms were created before the work was glazed and fired and we will be sharing the work made in these workshops on Wednesday 18 September, at two events taking place during the London Design Festival:
Inspiring Design: Ceramics
Wednesday 18 September, 14.00-15.00
Meeting Point, Grand Entrance
Join Intoart artist Mawuena Kattah and ceramicists Jacqui Poncelet and Carol McNicol for a tour of their highlights of the V&A’s ceramics galleries.
Free, drop in
http://www.vam.ac.uk/whatson/event/2717/inspiring-design-ceramics-4070/
Intoart: The Tea Party
Art studio, Sackler Centre
15.30-17.00
Meet artists from Intoart and The Gate for a presentation of their work and a celebratory tea party.
Free, drop in
http://www.vam.ac.uk/whatson/event/2718/intoart-the-tea-party-4069/
Intoart is an artist-led visual arts organisation, which has gained significant reputation for its collective practice that includes people with learning disabilities. For further details of Mawuena’s work please visit:
