Trainee teachers create artwork exploring their experiences in the classroom

The exhibition ‘Resist – Things Artists Do Whilst Learning to Teach’ features work that has been created by the IOE’s PGCE Art and Design students. 

Many of the pieces are inspired by students’ experiences on teaching placements in secondary schools across Greater London. It reflects on their position as artists in schools and the nature of balancing life as an artist and an art teacher.

The exhibition title ‘Resist’ was born out of conversations that took place when the content of the exhibition was being brought together. It is a conscious reflection among the artists that they are entering teaching at a challenging time.

Lesley Burgess, Subject Leader of PGCE Art and Design, said: “As part of the fourth year of our collaboration with the Freelands Foundation this exhibition and accompanying publication form a fascinating collection of responses from 29 PGCE Art and Design students.

“The artists make poignant comments about their experiences in education – a sign of their strong commitment to innovative practices in art and design in order to question the limiting orthodoxies and attitudes currently promoted in mainstream education and governmental policy. 

“A mixture of irony, parody, disapproval and delight, this selection of work employs everything from performance art to wallpaper design to be both intriguing and provocative.”

The exhibition is a collaborative project between UCL Institute of Education and the Freelands Foundation. ‘Resist – Things Artists Do Whilst Learning to Teach’ runs from 26 April until 9 June 2019 at the Freelands Foundation in Chalk Farm, London.

Links

• 'Resist – Things Artists Do Whilst Learning to Teach' at the Freelands Foundation
• PGCE Art and Design
• Department of Culture, Communication and Media

Images

Photos © Hydar Dewachi