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During Autumn 2008 and Spring 2009,
pupils from Weston Road High School studied aspects of Thomas Peploe
Wood’s work as part of wider projects on animation, pop art,
geography and animation. Visiting some of the locations sketched by
Thomas Peploe Wood, they drew comparisons between his romantic views
and the same sites in the modern day. They studied sculpture produced
by Thomas’ brother, Samuel, at Colwich Church - including the
ornamental cross Samuel erected in remembrance of his family - and
visited the farm at Shugborough where they made observational drawings
of the same breeds of livestock which would have been common in Thomas’
day. Back in the classroom, they sought to update Thomas’ work
by animating his animals and landscapes and tried out some of the
techniques that would have been familiar to him by working in pen
and ink.
"The purpose of our visit was to contextualise research
into local artist Thomas Peploe Wood by visiting sites identified
in his work. The trip ran on schedule and the visit to Colwich Church
was very positive, providing quality encounters with art history.
Shugborough Farm was very accommodating and pupils took good research
photographs and experienced drawing from life.
Through appreciation and contextualisation of art works, pupils
can gain an understanding of the function of art in society. They
can gain insight into the impact of historical and geographic factors
on art and experience of working ‘en plein air’".
David Perks, Head of Art Weston Road High School |
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“We all gathered in the Art Room as we prepared for the trip.
We each got given a map and a worksheet to fill in, we then collected
our things together and headed for the coach park where the bus
was waiting for us. There were two helpers that we met: their names
were Laura and Pat. As we boarded the bus, we greeted the driver,
whose name was Helen. We all got seated and we began our journey
to Colwich Church and the farm. On the way, we passed some of the
monuments that Thomas Peploe Wood had sketched. We passed the Pillar,
the Hall and the Lodge on the way to the church.
When we arrived at the church, we were greeted by a very nice man
called William who talked to us about the church and its connection
with Thomas. We found out that Thomas had a younger brother called
Samuel Peploe Wood who, like his brother, went into art. But Samuel
went into another part of art, he went into sculpting and had carved
some of the angels near the back of the church.
We were asked, in pairs, to find out Thomas’s connection to
the church and his brother had carved a cross out of stone as Thomas’
headstone.
We then got back on the bus and headed for Shugborough farm. As
we got into Shugborough, we spotted the Triumphal Arch on our right.
We then went to the farm and saw all the animals and chose some
to sketch (I chose a horse and a pig but my horse went wrong). Some
of us then went up to the machinery room to look at some of the
machines that they used to use. It was a great experience and I
would do it again.” Geena Cooper
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