Chelsea Children's Hospital School, London
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
What did they do? A group of pupils aged between four and 16 from Chelsea Children's Hospital School won first prize in a schools art competition run by local gallery the Leighton House Museum.
How did they win? The pupils, who are patients at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, made a sculpture of a person (pictured) by assembling plaster casts of their own bodies. They decorated it with text written in oil pastels.
Why did they do it? The idea behind the sculpture was to show the effects of bullying on young people. The plaster-cast person was made to crouch down, as a symbol of feeling afraid or alone. The words decorating the sculpture explain how it feels to be bullied.
What made the pupils decide on bullying as a theme? Many pupils at the Chelsea Children's Hospital School have experienced bullying at mainstream school after their appearances changed because of an accident, chemotherapy, steroid medication or burns.
What did people think about the sculpture? Councillor Shireen Ritchie, the local lead member for children's services, says it was an original piece of art with a strong anti-bullying message.
