Our aim was to build confidence, get creative and create a community artwork with a positive message.

The work is inspired by artists including HenrI Matisse, Robert Indiana and Bob and Roberta Smith, who believe that ‘ART MAKES CHILDREN POWERFUL’. Year 5 strongly agreed!

We talked about abstract art and what makes it interesting. Abstract art can look like something different to each person who views it, it leaves space for you to find your own meaning- a little bit like looking at shapes in the clouds.

The art workshops took place alongside Risk and Resilience workshops led by Young Lives, an organisation that provides services to voluntary community sector groups working with children and young people, helping them to understand issues around crime, community and safety.

The children wanted to create an artwork that had a positive message and was bright and cheerful. Each child created an abstract collage, some chose to include slogans, to allow each person walking past their work to see something different and to hopefully make them smile.

This artwork aimed to elevate the children’s voices and to help them understand the power of their voice.