Advanced Higher Art at Hutchesons'
Advanced Higher Art was introduced into the Art and Design curriculum at Hutchesons' for the 2007-2008 session, giving pupils an opportunity to continue with art in S6 without necessarily continuing to study art beyond school. Many pupils had successfully created portfolios in previous years and gained places at their preferred art college. Three pupils undertook the course this year and worked with both visual arts and design.
Mhairead Connolly was inspired by the natural environment and investigated a variety of unusual organic forms such as jellyfish, sea anenomes and plant forms. By experimenting with different shapes, surfaces and structures, Mhairead created a series of textile pieces which were theatrical and whimsical in form. ‘Surrealism in fashion,' became her over-arching theme for the year and she was able to combine her strong sense of design with her passion for the theatre.
As well as drawing, Mhairead produced a series of paper sculptures, mixed-media pieces and printed fabric samples which eventually led to more sophisticated ‘haute-couture' inspired dresses. Mhairead used photography as a means of documenting her designs which were ‘staged' and photographed in a variety of settings which included the vegetable garden at Pollok House and a semi-derelict West End tenement. Advanced Higher Art and Design gave Mhairead the opportunity and freedom to generate an impressive body of work and adopt a truly experimental approach to creating theatrical outfits or costumes suitable for stage. She intends to pursue a career in Drama.