Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk

The SCVA is both a great resource for artists in the Eastern countries as well as offering a range of partnership opportunities. Mark has been fortunate to work with Dr. Veronica Sekules, head of education and research, and her dedicated team on numerous projects, workshops and commissions.

Frames in the meadow. World Art Game Day in response to the Olympics, July 2012

Small picture frames were placed in the meadow and lake that surrounds the SCVA. Walking sticks were given to participants as they strolled, searching for the frames, writing their thoughts, poems and drawings onto clipboards. ‘unOfficial Olympic medallions’ were exchanged for their comments, which had to be sung and performed to the artist.

Elephant sculpture - Surlingham Primary School & SCVA, June, 2012

A visit to the Sainsbury collection helped to inspire the Indian-themed school exhibition. In the workshop, the children created drawings and models to develop into a sculpture back at school. A large elephant made from recycled clear plastic and decorated with Indian patterns became the focus of the exhibition.

“The Indian elephant is inspirational, everyone worked really hard, the class was awesome” - Franklin, pupil

Culture exchanged. September 2011

Nineteen German exchange students from the Norwich School, (age 14-16), were introduced to the exhibits by the guides using a rich vocabulary; words like Neolithic; contemporary; poetic and ornamental.

The students discussed the collection using the newly-learnt words to describe the pieces they found most intriguing. The artist then supplied translucent letters to create colourful, playful ‘word drawings’, light projections and sculptures.

Sir Robert and Lady Sainsbury donated their collection of world art to the University of East Anglia in 1973 and the Sainsbury Centre first opened its doors to visitors in 1978 and was Norman Foster’s first major public building. It was the Sainsburys’ hope that students, academic staff and the general public would grow to appreciate the works on display in much the same way as they themselves had done.

Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk

Frames in the meadow. World Art Game Day in response to the Olympics, July 2012

Elephant sculpture - Surlingham Primary School & SCVA, June, 2012

Culture exchanged. September 2011

Casting on Cromer Beach

Time and Tide Museum