The Project
The Save our Species school outreach project is a display of illustrations of extinct or critically endangered species carefully printed onto ceramics.
The cathedral team commissioned artist Becky Mackenzie earlier this year to work with pupils aged 7 to 15, from Durham Johnston Comprehensive School, St John’s Academy in Darlington, Elemore Hall School, Durham and Hollis Academy in Middlesbrough. The pupils were asked to think about the biodiversity crisis and create monochrome illustrations of species that have become extinct in the last 100 years, or that are on the critically endangered list.
The 336 drawings created by pupils were then printed onto ceramic plates crafted by Becky, to create an installation covering the hoardings of all four corners of the cathedral Cloisters – each with a different species including insects, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and water creatures.
Becky said,
"I have been really impressed by the response and enthusiasm from the schools. Although the students were provided with a brief of species to get them started, they took initiative to research other plants and animals to highlight, resulting in a really extensive and varied body of work. The quality and diversity of the illustrations are incredible.
The Process
Pupils from five County Durham schools designed illustrations, before being turned into ceramic transfers, a process that dates back to the mid 18th Century. Becky transferred the illustrations to hand cut tiles, inspired by the cathedral's ribbed vaults.
The tiles were fired three times - an initial bisque firing, followed by a higher glaze firing and then a final transfer firing, where images are fired onto the glazed surface and made permanent.
The Final Display
Visitors can view the Save Our Species installation around the Cloisters until 10 September. Each corner of the Cloisters focus on a different species group; Plants & Insects, Mammals & Birds, Reptiles & Amphibians and Water Creatures.
The final display aims to encourage visitors to reflect on the biodiversity crisis facing our planet. Gaia, currently on display in Durham Cathedral, was created by Luke Jerram to give visitors a feeling of awe for the planet, a profound understanding of the interconnection of all life, and a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment.
Andrew Usher, Chief Officer for Visitor Experience and Enterprise at Durham Cathedral says,
“With Gaia in the cathedral, we wanted to expand on Luke Jerram’s intention for visitors and explore ways to tangibly show the direct impact of the current climate crisis on our nature and wildlife. We’re delighted with the final display - the pupils work is fantastic and Becky has translated the fragility of earth’s environment beautifully through her ceramics. The Cloisters is a fitting place for this exhibition as the hoardings the artwork is displayed on is only there due to the ongoing effects of climate change.”
