New artworks for a Gallipoli Memory Site - Glen Katherine Primary School

This project will be a ceramic mural on a cylinder (150cm high/ 35cm wide) to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of  Gallipoli. The memory site will act as a place to remember the history of Gallipoli but also as a place for evoking memories and sharing stories and learning.

For example whilst I was painting these pictures in the classroom, children would come up to me to have a look and inevitably tell me a story which connected them to the artwork.

'My father was in the war'. (most likely referring to a recent war)
"Our grandfather's brothers died in the war, there were three of them who died in one family.'
'My brother watched the Gallipoli movie last night. He was allowed to stay up late and watch it.'

The mural will include imagery which links to the ANZAC story as well as the broader story of Australians in the 1st World War. The cameos of paintings will be surrounded by wreaths of poppies and wildflowers native to Eltham (which are also the school house emblems).

Each class in the school will also have the opportunity to write a statement which will go around the base of the artwork.
Below : The tiles have been made so that they are ready to write onto.


below: An example from another mural, of how they look when they are in the artwork.




Below is a sketch of the plan for the artwork.

Below: photographs of artwork made from clay for the cylinder.
please note, these pictures are painted onto wet clay with ceramic paints and their correct colours will not show until they are fired. So don't be alarmed at the mauve flags, it turns dark blue.