Over 500 children from 10 local schools have participated in a community art installation.

Inspired by Antony Gormley’s DOUBT 2020, currently situated in Niche 338 on the West Front of Wells Cathedral, children have used cuboid shapes to make their own interpretations. In doing so, pupils have developed their knowledge and appreciation of contemporary sculpture by one of the world’s leading artists. They have also learned joining techniques essential to work with ceramics.

Gormley has chosen ‘Niche 338’ on Wells Cathedral very carefully. The position and location of DOUBT 2020 is a fundamental part of the piece. In response pupils have photographed their completed figures in a location of their choice, to enhance their understanding of how important the location of a piece of work can be.

As part of the installation at Wells Cathedral, alongside the ceramic figures, a collage display of children’s photographs will offer viewers an insight into this aspect of their thinking in response to Gormley’s work.

Throughout May half term, all of the children’s ceramic figures will be installed in various locations around Wells Cathedral. Some will be easy to see; others will be hidden or less conspicuous, so will need to be searched for. The installation itself will draw together the various aspects of learning, skill, knowledge and understanding that all of the children involved have experienced.

Each figure and, therefore, each pupil, eventually becomes an anonymous, small but fundamental part of the collective; many figures inspired by just one.