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Drawing on nature

9 July 2004

A new exhibition inspired by objects from the natural history collection of the Grant Museum of Zoology & Comparative Anatomy took place at UCL in July 2004.

An abstract vase by Mr Surat Miah

'Drawing on Nature' is an exhibition of work created by students from Newham Sixth Form College, following two visits to the museum this year organised by Mr Steven Barrett, trainee teacher and volunteer at the Grant Museum. The students, aged between 16 and 17, completed the artwork as part of a BTEC design project examining natural shapes and forms.

Mr Barrett said: "The work created by the students is a passionate and informed response to the Grant Museum collections, which are truly a valuable learning response. Many of the students were fascinated by the animal specimens on view and their work, which includes sculpture, fashion and textiles, is a reflection of this." As a result of the exhibition, Mr Barrett has created an art loan box for schools, containing objects from the collections and curriculum-related lesson plans, which can be used by other art and design teachers in the future.

The exhibition featured work by many of the students, including a sculpture inspired by a shark's vertebra by Mr Fozea Iqbal, observational drawings of starfish by Ms Fatima Akbar, and an abstract vase by Mr Surat Miah. 

Paper sculpture inspired by corals at the Grant Museum of Zoology

Dr Helen Chatterjee, the museum's curator, said: "Visiting the Grant Museum enabled the students to study closely the varied shapes, patterns and textures of objects in the collection. As a result, they have produced some wonderful work: beautiful observational drawings, original and unusual paper sculptures, and garment, print and textile designs. This collaboration was an excellent opportunity to promote the use of university collections, such as the Grant Museum, to schools. For some pupils it also provided their first exposure to university life."

'Drawing on Nature' took place at UCL's North Cloisters on 6 July 2004.

Images: Top - An abstract vase by Mr Surat Miah. Bottom - Paper sculpture inspired by corals at the Grant Museum of Zoology.

To find out more about the museum, resources for schools, including the art loan box, use the link below.


Link: Grant Museum