Level 3 Art and Design students from the College of West Anglia (CWA) visited Houghton Hall in Norfolk to experience its internationally renowned sculpture collection and explore the work of British sculptor, Lynn Chadwick.
The visit formed part of the students’ current ‘Altered’ project, which explored the human form. The module challenged students to consider how the body could be simplified, transformed, and represented through sculpture and other forms of artwork.
As part of the project, the students had been responding to Chadwick’s distinctive sculptural figures, exploring his use of angular shapes, strong silhouettes, and expressive poses to create their own experimental work.
During the visit, students saw Chadwick’s sculptures within the landscape of Houghton Hall, making drawings and observations while considering how elements such as scale, material and setting can influence the way in which sculpture is experienced by the observer.
The experience provided students with the inspiration and research to draw on as they continued developing their own ideas and producing experimental sculpture and artwork inspired by the human form.
Mark Mann, Art and Design Course Director commented, “It was great to see the students engaging so thoughtfully with the work and taking inspiration from what they saw. Experiences like this can really broaden their creative thinking and give them fresh ideas to bring into their own practice and coursework.”
Lola Hammond, who is studying the UAL Extended Diploma Creative Practice L3 – Art & Design at the College of West Anglia said, “The trip was inspiring, and it was amazing to be able to observe these fantastic pieces of art in such beautiful surroundings.”
At the College of West Anglia, students are encouraged to develop their creative practice through a combination of classroom learning, practical projects, and experience beyond the CWA environment. Opportunities such as the visit to Houghton Hall allow learners to engage directly with professional and established artistic work and broaden their understanding of creative practice. But most importantly, build the confidence, knowledge and skillset needed to progress in the creative industries.