Matrons' Training
It’s not an everyday occurrence for an extraordinary piece of contemporary art to be installed on the King’s Bruton campus, but thanks to the artist Jesse Pollock and his connection with the Bruton based gallery, Bo Lee and Workman that is exactly what happened this week. We are now the proud guardians of The Granary for six months which has been placed in a fitting location amongst the School’s historical buildings. The work centres around the idea of harking back to rural life. It is a full-sized sculpture of a traditional English grain store. These buildings are still found in rural areas like the artist’s hometown in Faversham, Kent, and Bruton itself at Hauser and Wirth Somerset, and they’re classic symbols of farming life. The sculpture is painted a shiny candy-orange colour, meant to show our longing for a perfect, nostalgic version of the past.
Even though it leans into this fantasy, The Granary also shows struggle and frustration. It represents the harsh realities of rural life - poverty, conflict, class inequality, and racism - as well as the fear of what rural communities are losing today. The sculpture is about both the need to face and overcome these problems and the complicated, sometimes troubling ideas about national identity, heritage, and where we belong.
It was wonderful to be able to meet Jesse, watch the installation of the work, and to learn about his life as an artist, his thoughts behind the piece, his current projects and his future aspirations. The L6th Form artists and U6th Form Art Historians had the chance to meet him and enquire about the work and the motivation behind it. Hopefully, this is the start of more contemporary work finding its way on to our campus. We continue to maintain strong links, not only with the local galleries, but also with Old Brutonians, who in recent years, have gone on to prominent art schools across the country, such as Falmouth, UAL, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Seamus Harkness - Head of Art
Bo Lee and Workman - Jesse Pollock - The Granary, 2021 - powder coated steel - 353 x 275 x 265 cm
The Granary is available to purchase. For more information, please contact [email protected]
Artist Jesse Pollock visited King’s alongside transporting ‘The Granary’, one of his sculptures, which was showcased on the lawn outside Hobhouse. As an Art and History of Art pupil myself, it was inspiring to talk to Jesse. He explained to us his raw artistic process, his approach to choosing materials such as aluminium or silicone, as well as the meaning behind some of his works. ‘The Granary’ sculpture explores themes of nostalgia and romanticising the British countryside, as well as embedding hidden metaphors relating to human existence and survival. I found it incredibly motivating to speak to a successful young artist whose work has been featured in many renowned galleries, having one of his pieces right on our doorstop is an amazing experience. In addition, we discussed his artistic journey from studying illustration to becoming a sculptor and working with metal and welding. This was eye opening for us as a group of young artists to hear about the different pathways an artist can explore. Personally, Jesse inspired me to push my own art project, motivating me to experiment with metals, think bigger and overcome structural challenges by using unfamiliar materials.
By Indigo C-C - U6th Form
It was inspiring to meet Jesse Pollock and gain an insight about his life as an artist. What I found most influential was the meaning behind the piece, he explained to us how he has re-interpreted the granary store to create a contemporary twist as it no longer serves its original function. Having it on school grounds with the backdrop of the dovecot is a reminder of King’s historical background.
By Anstice R - L6th Form Artist and Art Historian
.jpg&command_2=resize&height_2=85 "6th Form pupils working hard to clear the medieval fishponds in their Community Service slot")
.jpg&command_2=resize&height_2=85 "An inspiring Art trip to the Knit and Stitch Show")
.jpg&command_2=resize&height_2=85 "The King's Bruton community enjoyed a fantastic Mental Health Awareness Week")
.jpg&command_2=resize&height_2=85 "We say goodbye to Ann Lintern who is retiring after 36 years at King's Bruton")
.jpg&command_2=resize&height_2=85 "The first day back of the Summer Term")
.jpg&command_2=resize&height_2=85 "Ian Wilmshurst, Headmaster, reflects on a successful Easter Term")
.jpg&command_2=resize&height_2=85 "An academic roundup of the Easter Term from Dan Cupit, Deputy Head, Academic")