This activity was used with pupils in key stage 4, year 10.

Aim

• To explore how signs and symbols can be used to represent pupil's own lives and other cultures.

Activity objectives

• To explore signs and symbols that have had meaning for different people across time and in different cultures (such as symbols of national identity, family heritage and military prowess).
• To investigate and develop signs and symbols that had meaning for them in their own lives.
• To create a mural for the entrance to the art and design department, working with a contemporary artist.
• To challenge ideas about art and design.

Activity description

This activity was carried out with the help of a local artist who visited the school to work with the pupils on a mural for the school's entrance. The teacher, the artist and the pupils discussed words that had strong associations for them, eg rejection, care, understanding, and conflict. The pupils suggested colours, textures and shapes that seemed to link to these words. They questioned each other about the relationships between the words and the images. The teacher ensured that stereotypical associations were continually challenged.

The pupils researched the symbolism used in different contexts and cultures and continued to question different ways of representing ideas and meanings. They began to draw out some rough ideas and plans for the mural and investigated alternative colour theories and meanings.

The pupils shared ideas and skills and worked collaboratively on the mural. They worked in an open area and were often drawn into critical discussion about their work, responding to the variety of interpretations that other teachers and pupils offered as the design developed.

When the mural was completed, they debated the title and agreed that their work provided a message about peace, with all people joining to protect the children of the future.

Commentary

The pupils learned that signs and symbols embody powerful ideas, ideals and beliefs and have been used for very different purposes. They had to choose colours and shapes that represented their ideas and think hard about how to communicate these. This put them in the position of challenging stereotypical views, and working together to develop a shared sense of their own values and beliefs.

In creating their own mural incorporating signs and symbols that were personal to them, they also had to consider the audience for their work, the school community and the aims and values of the school.