St Albert’s kids inspired to create Wee Turner Prize

The Pollokshields primary school has been using a visit to the art exhibition as inspiration for artwork and installations created in the classroom.

The lesser-known Wee Turner Prize was attended by the community, complete with a panel of judges settling on a winner.

A school representative told The Extra: “We have always fostered close community links with our nearby neighbour Tramway, but we decided to go one step further by staging our own version, using the Turner Prize as a context for learning.

“Each class had to have a discussion to come up with a plan of what had inspired them and what they would do to demonstrate this inspiration in their own installation.”

Each year group was involved, resulting in installations all over the school — and even spilling into the playground.

Primary two pupils paid homage to Janice Kerbel’s musical installation Doug with Breathing (complete with air pollution masks) while primary one recreated Nicole Wermer’s fur coat chairs with school bags.

Others took inspiration from previous Scottish Turner Prize winner from Martin Boyce or from current events in Syria and refugee children now attending the school.

Head teacher Clare Harker congratulated all who took part, and explained: “It’s not just about art — these installations have improved literacy.

“Each class has discussed what they like and what they don’t like, and can explain their own artwork.”

And it was with great pleasure that Holly Rumble, Tramway’s public engagement officer, announced the winners of the Wee Turner Prize as voted for by judges: P2’s Breathing, Eye AM by P4-5 and P7’s Footsteps to Happiness.