An inspirational sculpture created by school children in Orkney goes on display at the National Galleries of Scotland: National

A sculpture created by school children in Orkney will arrive at its new home in the National at the National Galleries of Scotland this month. Named Bob, the inspirational artwork has been travelling across Scotland touring to schools and communities to highlight the importance of art for young people. Bob has become a school mascot, spreading the children’s important message to protect our world from pollution.

Created by Dounby Community School the sculpture will join the Your Art World exhibition, which opens on 24 June. The exhibition aims to engage with young people and encourage them to think creatively, supporting future generations of artists. Digital screens will also display the artwork from over 270 incredible 3-18 year olds who uploaded their creations to the website. The young people could be as imaginative as they liked and use any type of materials for their creations, resulting in a superb and broad range of artwork. The exhibition is a celebration of what happens when young people are encouraged to be wildly imaginative with no limitations.

Families and young people inspired by the creativity will also be able to get involved in making their own creations in the galleries this Summer. With a specially created ‘make and share’ area allowing them to produce and upload their own work to the website. There is also the added bonus of having their artwork added to the digital showcase on the screens.

Four core groups have created spectacular physical installations for the exhibition, which will be displayed alongside the collection of digital art works. Dounby Community school’s installation will feature, as well as creations from young people in their final year at Galashiels secondary school and Granton Primary. A group of children and their families from PAMIS, an organisation in Scotland working with people with profound and multiple learning disabilities for a better life, are also featured.

Touring to schools and communities, Bob has challenged children across the country to make and share their own creations. Giving them the opportunity of having their own works displayed on digital screens as part of the final exhibition at the National. Bob visited Inverness, Skye, Aberdeen, West Lothian, Dundee, Fife, Stirling, Glasgow and Galashiels along the way. Even taking a trip to Holyrood to join Orkney MSP Liam McCarthur, where the school pupils were commended in the Scottish Parliament for their hard work.

The creation was inspired by Dounby Community School’s chosen theme of ‘protect’, with the children making a life size character named Trashy. Made of rubbish found on the beach, the sculpture is a meaningful representation of their desire to protect the world from climate change. As a friend for Trashy they created Bob as their mascot. Bob will soon re-join Trashy at the Your Art World exhibition, as part of the wider installation created by the 152 pupils from Dounby Community School.

Dounby Community School Head Teacher, Islean Gibson, said: “Being part of such an amazing gallery exhibition has given everyone here at Dounby School such a sense of pride and motivation. Sharing our thoughts and ideas as part of a national project has really inspired our whole school community. The power of creation will have a lasting legacy. It makes me swell with pride every day seeing just how impactful creativity can be for a wee school and its community. I would wholeheartedly recommend everyone take that step into Your Art World and see where it takes you!”

Siobhan McConnachie, Head of Learning and Engagement, National Galleries of Scotland, said: ‘I feel so excited and proud to be showcasing the art work of the talented young artists of Scotland . The response to challenges has been truly inspiring and we have been so impressed with everyone’s creativity. The Your Art World project is incredibly important to us at National Galleries of Scotland as it hands over the creative process to young people and celebrates their work. Art has its place in every school, home and young person’s life, whether that be encouraging people to think creatively, use it as an expressive outlet or simply for some fun, this project and exhibition celebrates that art really is for everyone.’

This exhibition is made possible thanks to funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, who have raised more than £5 million awarded by Postcode Culture Trust to support National Galleries of Scotland.

All submissions can be viewed via the online gallery and will also be displayed digitally at the National until spring 2024.