Olympic Park will see ‘little bit of Lowestoft’

Since the end of last year, more than 400 youngsters at 14 Suffolk schools have been creating life-size sculptures of sports spectators for a display in the 'View Tube' exhibition area overlooking the London 2012 Olympic Park.

The special project – entitled The Suffolk 'Looks On' project – has been co-ordinated by Denes High in Lowestoft, and has also included 10 other schools from north Suffolk.

Suffolk-based artist Vanessa Briggs has worked with the students to create the works of art – which include babies, toddlers, men, women and guide dogs – out of chicken wire and fabric.

The project has been funded by the Suffolk Enterprise Learning Partnership and is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young people to be directly involved in the Olympics. The sculptures will represent people from all walks of life, different cultures, faiths and nationalities – and are intended to symbolise the Olympic value of unity.

Vanessa Briggs, working with staff from Denes High, set up 15 workshops at schools including Gunton, Poplars, Northfield St Nicholas, St Margarets and Wenhaston primaries, Harris, Roman Hill and Halesworth middles, and the Ashley School and Old Warren House pupil referral unit.

More than 60 sculptures were produced, and a selection of these will be exhibited over the Easter holidays. Some of the pupils will be invited to see their work in situ, as well as having a tour round the Olympic site.

As well as the Olympic exhibition, some sculptures have been exhibited at Norwich Cathedral and Halesworth Library, and it is hoped that they will also be exhibited at an event in Bury St Edmunds this year.

Kathy Gosling, Suffolk county portfolio holder for sport, said: 'This is an amazing opportunity for Suffolk's children to be inspired by the cultural legacy of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. For their unique works of art to be displayed in the View Tube is very exciting – and gives them a platform to really get involved with London 2012.'