This week in the nursery the children have enjoyed creating some large scale process art pieces. 

Process art focuses on the creative process, the exploration of art materials and the different properties that these materials hold. Rather than creating a predetermined outcome, the art piece evolves organically and in this instance is child-directed. Famous artists associated with such works include: Jackson Pollock, Eva Hesse and Morris Louis. 

The Jeffers room children were given the freedom to come and explore a variety of materials including; large pieces of paper, tissue paper, foil, glitter, stamps, crayons, pens, pencils, graphite sticks, feathers, cards, tape, glue and paint. Whilst over the course of the session many materials were used, it’s important to initially begin with just a few (e.g paper, glue and scissors) , as time passes and the children move away additional materials can be added (e.g paint in one or two colours).

The scale and duration of the experience was of paramount importance, enabling multiple children to work on sections simultaneously and also encouraging the children (and practitioners), to move organically around the table, adding and removing additional parts.The energy of the children was contagious and their excitement grew as they gathered extra materials.

The children ripped, tore, cut and stuck paper, layering and building the art work. They worked collaboratively often adding to each others work.Throughout the session many children returned to the picture to create additional layers, add marks and most popularly more glitter!

Whilst the children have complete freedom, access and the ability to use the materials how they choose, it doesn’t need to be wasteful. All the paper cut and stuck on these pieces was collected over the first weeks in the term and re purposed in these pieces. Similarly the children were free to use the glitter and paint as they wished (the shakers were filled from a large bottle and the paint was pre poured into bowls). Over time the children will begin to master the different materials, self-regulate and build  confidence.

Watching these creative open ended pieces emerge and evolve was a joyful and exciting experience to both witness and partake in.