London,
15
February
2012
|
23:00
Europe/London

Hansel and Gretel inspired artwork on display at Dalston C.L.R James Library

Local school children paid a visit to the new Dalston C.L.R James Library to see their Hansel and Gretel inspired artwork – ‘Adventures in Paper’.

The 25 young special guests were joined by local artist Emily Tracy, who worked with the class of Year 5 pupils from Colvestone primary school. The artwork is a series of pop-up paper scenes from the story of Hansel and Gretel which took the pupils two full days of workshops to create. While working on the project the pupils learnt there are many simple and different ways that paper can be used to create art.

The artwork is illuminated by six Anglepoise lamps, loaned to Hackney Council by Anglepoise. The large focal lamp is a replica of the lamp that was made for Roald Dahls’ study in the Roald Dahl museum.

The children also collected their library membership cards and played story-telling games, led by Universal Board Games.

10 year old, Hal Agar one of the pupils who produced the artwork said: “It was a great project we had lots of fun making the exhibition. I hope everyone enjoys looking at it, as much as we did making it.”

Cllr Jonathan McShane, Hackney Council’s Cabinet Member for Health Social Care and Culture said;”It’s a pleasure to welcome what I hope is the first of many exhibitions to the Dalston C.L.R James Library. It’s great to see how much effort all the children have put in, they really are a credit to their school and to Hackney.”

Local artist Emily Tracy said: “I hope to inspire children to create their own artwork at home by just using paper ordinary paper – the results can be amazing and it really is so simple.”

Richard Sellwood, Managing Director of Anglepoise, who attended the celebration said: “We are delighted to be involved with what is an absolutely beautiful piece of artwork. Congratulations to all the children involved”

This interesting installation is the first in the library, and it is hoped that many more community exhibitions will utilise the windowsill in the large atrium window in the stairwell of the Dalston CLR James Library. The exhibition will be on display until the end of March 2012

Dalston C.L.R. James Library is now open Monday to Friday; 9am-5pm, Saturdays; and 1-5pm, Sundays and already over 4000 people have visited. It’s one of the largest public libraries to open recently and it’s twice the size of the one it replaces. Spread over three floors, the super library covers 2600 square metres and features separate adult, teen and children sections, 57 computers, study space and self-service technology and it holds events and reading groups.

It’s really easy to join Hackney Libraries, just visit a local library or fill in the online form. Find out more at; www.hackney.gov.uk/libraries or; call 020 8356 3000.

Hackney Archives searchroom is open, and all the collections are being moved to their new home. The full archives service, providing access to the unique historical documents in the archives, will open soon.

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Ends