Memorial Event for Will Goss Hicks

Sevenoaks man, Second Lieutenant Will Goss Hicks died in France on 3 July 1917. We wanted to mark the date in a significant way so we have arranged for an art workshop and singing workshop for students from the school where he was head teacher and a concert with those students in the church where he worshipped.

Artist Jane Churchill will lead an art workshop in the morning on 3 July 2017 which will be followed by a singing workshop led by Apollo5, five professional singers from the world renowned group  Voces8 . Students will then perform a concert with Apollo5 in St Nicholas' Church in Sevenoaks at 1.15pm against a backdrop of stunning pictures of our highly-acclaimed exhibition which has now be enjoyed by thousands of people from all over the UK and the world.

Do join us on Monday 3 July from 1.15 - 2.30pm at St Nicholas' Church, Sevenoaks, for a moving tribute to a much-loved Sevenoaks WW1 soldier.

There is still time to visit "Echoes Across the Century" at Guildhall Art Gallery open every day until 16 July, entry is free.

Children at "Echoes Across the Century"

"Degrees of Separation" by Jane Churchill at "Echoes Across the Century"

 

Sevenoaks children visit "Echoes"

28 students from St Thomas' Primary School in Sevenoaks took part in a workshop at Guildhall Art Gallery yesterday. They engaged with the story of Sevenoaks head teacher William Goss Hicks, discovering the work of London students who had created inspired art work with artist Jane Churchill. They responded with empathy to the stories of ambulance drivers and saddle makers who saw their loved ones leave to fight for their country and who were left behind to keep things going. They created a case of beautiful papery moths, symbols of the fragility of the soldiers in the machine of war. They are looking forward to joining the Will Goss Hicks Memorial Day at St Nicholas' Church Sevenoaks at 1.15 on Monday 3 July, the 100th anniversary of his death.

Spotlight on Second Lieutenant William Goss Hicks

Will Goss Hicks was the original inspiration for Jane Churchill's installation "Degrees of Separation"
A much loved head teacher at Lady Boswell's School in Sevenoaks, he signed up and went to fight in France in WW1, dying from his wounds on 3 July 1917.

Students involved in our project "Echoes Across the Century" reflected on the themes of separation, memory and loss as they discovered Jane's work. They learnt about those who worked in the trades and industries behind the scenes of WW1 and were able to understand the human impact of the war on all involved.

Jane's stunning work currently forms a major part of the "Echoes" installation in Guildhall Art Gallery and will provide the perfect backdrop to a moving memorial day on 3 July 2017 in honour of William Goss Hicks.

Children from the school where he was head teacher are taking part in a singing workshop with Apollo5, 5 professional singers from Voces8,  and will perform a concert at St Nicholas' Church Sevenoaks at 1.15pm on 3 July. The concert will feature music popular in World War 1 against a backdrop of pictures from the exhibition and will be followed by a talk about Will Goss Hicks' life.

The Making of "Echoes"

Entering the "trench" to explore the artwork of 240 students

In this short film, Producer Alison Truphet and Artist Jane Churchill explain the background to the project and the process which the students experienced in order to create the extraordinary artworks now displayed in Guildhall Art Gallery until 16 July. Open 10- 5 daily except Sundays 12 - 4. Free.
"Echoes Across the Century"
See Jane's own work "Degrees of Separation" which was the original inspiration for the students in this project conceived to engage students in the human response to the demands made upon the supply chain behind the scenes of WW1.

"Degrees of Separation" within "Echoes"

Army boots project

Sculpture by Jane Churchill

Large crowd packs out the Opening Ceremony and Private View

Guildhall Art Gallery, Guildhall Yard

Dr Andrew Parmley, the Lord Mayor of the City of London was attended by both his Sheriffs at the Opening Ceremony of "Echoes Across the Century"  on 19 April. Guildhall Art Gallery was packed to the rafters where students, Liverymen and members of the City of London Corporation, friends and families mingled to hear speeches and catch a glimpse of this mesmerising and enchanting exhibition.

An "Apothecaries' cabinet"

Over 370 people heard how the project began a few years ago after Producer Alison Truphet visited Jane Churchill's installation "Degrees of Separation". Focusing on those involved in the supply chain the the First World War, Alison and Jane wove together 12 projects each with a different starting point. The project was taken into 12 different schools and, supported by 17 Livery Companies, students investigated stories from behind the scenes of the trades which were so vital to the war effort. With Jane's superb artwork for inspiration, students created their artwork with Jane to reveal their interpretation of the importance of the stories they had discovered. 

 

The heart of "Echoes Across the Century"

 The outcome is astonishing and very moving. Jane spent 5 weeks curating over 600 artworks in a trench-like set transporting the visitor into the world of WW1. Visitors are invited to write messages on labels to hang in the trees. There are lunchtime talks and walk-in workshops by the artist - please visit Guildhall Art Gallery for more information.

Jane Churchill's "Degrees of Separation"

EXHIBITION OPENS TO GREAT ACCLAIM

An Open Afternoon was held on 30 March at Guildhall Art Gallery to give a special preview of the exhibition to all the students who had participated in the "Echoes" project and an occasion for them to meet the Masters of the Livery Companies they had worked with. Selected students from each school had attended a training session two days before to prepare presentations about their part in the project. These students were able to guide their peers and the Liverymen around the exhibition, explaining the background to the project and presenting their school's work. 
The exhibition is the culmination of a major HLF funded project exploring the trades behind the scenes of WW1. Heritage Artist Jane Churchill's own work "Degrees of Separation" inspired 240 students working with her to create artwork about the human impact of the war.  The exhibition is now open until 16 July. 
http://londonist.com/things-to-do-in-london-this-weekend

                                                                               
"The exhibition is a teaching and learning experience across so many disciplines and it succeeds brilliantly in telling a story that is not well known."
Liveryman





"Exhilarating. Beautiful. Heart-breaking. Words cannot do it justice. Luckily, the artwork says everything that we cannot."
Student

Clara Grant students see the Tree of Peace

               

Students discover their "moths" displayed

...and view each other's work

Jane Churchill's "Degrees of Separation"

Archbishop Tenison CofE students with the Master Tin Plate Worker outside Guildhall Art Gallery

Curation now underway

Having completed 11 projects and engaged 240 students in a creative journey through the heritage of World War 1, Jane Churchill is now hard at work, building and painting the bespoke set she has designed for the installation at Guildhall At Gallery. The exhibition opens to the public on 31 March.

7 Students from George Green's School, Hampstead School and Notre Dame School for Girls spent 3 days on work experience, receiving curation training and helping Jane to catalogue over 600 items of artwork for the installation