Collage Circles

Richard Long

Richard Long makes his work by walking. He creates sculptures by walking in a landscape and using the materials he finds there. In this way his work is about place as well as about materials and the form of the sculpture.

Look at a variety of Richard Long’s work and encourage the children to discuss which pieces have been actively constructed and which are more about the marks he has made in the landscape. The children can then choose suitable materials to make their collage circles.

Andy Goldsworthy

Andy Goldsworthy was born in Yorkshire and now lives in Scotland. He is a land artist, environmentalist and sculptor who uses natural materials to make site-specific artworks. If he is in a forest he will use twigs and leaves, if he is in a rocky area he will use the rocks and stones. Goldsworthy then photographs his work and allows nature to take its course, weathering and eroding the sculpture naturally.

Look at a range of Goldsworthy’s work making sure to look at images that use a range of materials. If you have the opportunity to use materials from the school grounds to make your collage circles then preliminary work look at Goldsworthy’s work will help the children select materials more carefully.

Chris Drury

Drury tries to make connections between nature and culture, systems of the body and he is also fascinated with fungi as they are such efficient recyclers. His work is mainly, but not exclusively, made from natural materials and he responds to the place he is in, in the same way the other landscape artists do. Some work is 3D and stands within its natural environment while other work is on paper and canvas and is displayed on walls. As with other land artists, his work is allowed to decay gradually and naturally.

Look at and discuss Chris Drury’s work making sure to look at a variety of materials – in particular look at those that show circular forms. Use these images to inspire the children when they are making their collage circles.