Antony Gormley makes a Field trip

There were lots of butterflies about on the longest day of the year. It was not to do with the weather, that was overcast, but more to do with the fact that Antony Gormley was visiting Broadfields Infant and Nursery School in Edgware and nerves were jangling. The children’s excitement was nothing compared to the teachers’ and artist Lizi Botham, who had turned a classroom into a pottery studio for Big Arts Week.

All 260 children in the school had the chance to make a clay model, based on Antony’s “Field” work, but with each one being personalised. After being fired, these were then to be laid out in the shape of the school floor plan to represent the community feel of the school and to mark the merging of Broadfields with another school. The opportunity to meet the artist that had inspired the work meant a lot to everyone involved, as Deputy Head, Lindsey Shaw explained, "All children have a sense of what an artist is, but to actually meet someone whose work they have seen was very exciting for them”.

Antony visited as one class were making their models and was impressed with what he saw, immediately joining the children at the tables as they moulded their figures, talking to each one in turn and commenting on their work. He did not shy away from getting his hands and clothes dirty and praised the children for having such nice overalls to keep themselves clean. After he had chatted with them all he held a brief question and answer session, explaining how the models for his ‘Field’ were made, the materials used and how long the process took. He also explained the construction of the Angel Of The North for the inquisitive youngsters. He was so inspired by the work he saw that he suggested the children pick one piece and make a large version for the school grounds, explaining a cheap and easy way to make such a statue.

His enthusiasm for the children’s handiwork was clear to see as he mingled them as the staff looked on, "He was amazing. He sat down and just started talking to them, focusing on the work they are doing and they asked him questions” said an impressed Lindsey.

After the children had packed up and cleaned off it was the turn of the staff to chat as Antony admired the artwork that adorned each wall of the room, with each piece being based on one of his works and with photographs of many of his pieces. He gave an in depth explanation of several of his pieces to a rapt staff and then signed a clay tablet that will be a lasting memorial of a special day for a small school.