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Animal Fantasies

Aberystwyth Ceramics Touring Education Pack

The aim of the small touring displays of ceramics with handling collection is to give children and the general public an opportunity to see work from the Aberystwyth Collection. The themes have been chosen so that they will support education projects that will help people learn more about ceramics but can also be used to develop other work including creative writing, art work, historical themes and social issues. Some suggested themes are listed below.

How things are made

The handling collection has pieces mostly duplicating something in the exhibition which will allow discussion of ceramic techniques and materials. Click on the image to download the word document.

Animals real and imagined

• Animals you know - how can they be made into fantasy animals?
• Bringing out animal qualities
• Bringing out human qualities in animals
• Bringing out and exaggerating the shape of animals
• Using animals as symbols - in heraldry - Welsh dragon

Stories that might be used to develop project work

• Lewis Carroll Alice in Wonderland and his use of fantasy animals and birds
• Noah's Ark
• St. George and the Dragon
• Cantre'r Gwaelod - http://www.eurotales.eril.net/wales44.htm (website with exercise for children based on the story) http://www.corris-w.dircon.co.uk/cantre.htm (website in English with the story)

Other subjects that could be developed in relation to particular pieces

• Apartheid and Aids in South Africa
• The Industrial Revolution

Word games and sheets for photocopying for use with younger children.

Click on the image to download the word document.

For students of ceramics

Ceramics in Wales and the importance of figurative work. See essays in the catalogues and excerpts from an interview with Frances Woodley, 2002.
Click on the image to download the word document.

Glossary

Click on the image to download the word document.

Information books and catalogues

Catrin Howell, Ruthin Crafts Centre, 2001
The Cat Scratched Little Johnny… Contemporary Ceramics in Wales, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, 1999
Gillian Scott Ardmore, An African Discovery, Cape Town, 1998
Laura Ford, the Great Indoors, Aberystwyth Arts Centre, 2003
Charlotte Speight & John Toki Make it in Clay, A Beginner's Guide to Ceramics, 1997