In the 2021-2022 edition of the Living Arts Project, I was Lead Artist, with Bríd Colloton as Assistant Artist. We worked with fifth class students at Scoil Mhuire Coolcotts in Wexford town over the course of 8 weeks to explore how food and art relate; examining food as a subject in art, as a material and as a creative political or social tool.

We discussed different artworks and theories, while making using a variety of natural materials, including making vegetable ink, using charcoal and mono-printing with cabbage leaves and found materials.

We aimed to expose the children to a variety of materials, processes and artists; focusing on the creative experience rather than the output and steering them away from the idea of being ‘good’ or ‘bad’ at art.

At the end of these 8 weeks, we organised an exhibition at the school. We involved the students in the direction of the project from beginning to end, encouraging collaborative artwork, critical thinking and ensuring their voices were heard in the exhibition design process.

Photos : Frank Abruzzese, Workshops and Exhibition at Scoil Mhuire Coolcotts