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Portobello dolls > Introduction | Inspiration | Te Papa conception | Portobello I | Portobello II | Projects with artists
Portobello II
By this time (2002), Kerry was a Lecturer in Art Education at the Dunedin College of Education. She decided to invite children and adults from the wider art community of the Dunedin College of Education to be involved.
The 45 children from various schools who attended the College's after-school 'Art for Children' programme were the first recruits. Kerry also pulled in student teachers doing the College's art curriculum course at the time. In addition, Dunedin teachers involved with art education in-service training and staff from Dunedin College of Education all took part in the project.
'Art for Children' programme
The Art for Children programme consists of three classes of children ranging in age from 5–12 years.
In preparation for the Portobello II project, each class explored identity, place, and their own particular heritage.
Nicola Jackson then visited the classes to show students slides of her work, and of the images and ideas that inspire her. She also told the children and their parents the story of the original Portobello project.
Throughout the eight-week programme, the children were immersed in doll imagery and the works of Nicola Jackson.
Mexican amates
Kerry returned to the folk art of Mexico to help the younger children gather ideas for their painted panels.
They looked at, and talked about, amates – the Mexican version of tapa – which depict scenes of family and everyday life, using comic book-like lines and bright colours.
Peg dolls
In response to their amate study, the students prepared images and text that told stories about:
- themselves;
- what they considered special about themselves;
- their family;
- inherited traits;
- their interests;
- their heritage.
The students used these ideas to inspire the development of narrative images for the card dresses of peg-doll artworks.
Painting the panels
The children then selected and developed some of these ideas on painted panels.
Often two students worked together on one panel, and often the image developed as it was being painted.
They worked on developing and painting their panels over five two-hour sessions.
When the panel paintings were completed, Nicola visited again to paint patterns and text along the hem of each panel. She used the same text of collected sayings and facts about the body that were used on the first skirt.
Fun-filled unveiling
The community of the Dunedin College of Education celebrated the completion of the project and installation of Portobello II at the College with an unveiling.
For a short time, the usually rather bland staffroom took on the appearance of a Mexican fiesta! Dolly artworks took over the walls, and the gigantic doll sculpture stood draped in an antique wedding veil.
There were lots of small children with balloons, decorated cakes made by the staff, and students wearing fancy dress. Champagne corks were popping, and there was much laughter!
There were speeches, and Nicola's daughter performed the unveiling in front of a large and lively audience.
Vivid demonstration
The unveiling was a rich, fun-filled occasion, which gave a vivid demonstration of the purpose, function, and power of art, as the Portobello Project spilled out of the art room and into the community.
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