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BEAUTIFUL BIRDS FLY THROUGH CARDIFF INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Customers travelling through Cardiff International are in for a treat as two beautiful bird sculptures, made by local primary school children, are now hanging in the airport.

The bird sculptures which are over 12ft high and 15ft long, have been made by children from Rhws Primary School at Rhoose and Oakfield Primary School, St Mellons, in Cardiff, led by artist Andy O‘Rouke.

The children took part in an innovative education project sponsored by Cardiff International Airport and supported by Arts & Business Cymru, which linked to Wales Millennium Centre‘s sell-out production of Wagner‘s Ring Cycle last year.   

The project has involved children from seven schools in South Wales over the past six months.  The first stage ‘Rheingold‘ took water as its inspiration which the children explored through art and poetry. 

The second stage ‘Valkyrie‘ has taken air as its theme.  Artist Andy O‘Rouke designed the metal bird frames and then the primary school children covered and decorated the frames to create the beautiful sculptures hanging in the airport atrium today.

Jon Horne, Managing Director Cardiff International Airport comments: “The birds were put in place in the middle of the night when the airport was closed and they look wonderful today, with the light showing off the colours. 

“This has been a very exciting project; the children have really enjoyed the experience and have certainly created work to be proud of.”

Judith Isherwood, Chief Executive, Wales Millennium Centre adds: “These bird sculptures are the culmination  of months of hard, but enjoyable, work by Andy Rourke and the schoolchildren from Rhoose and St Mellons.

“I am particularly pleased that they will be seen by the many thousands of visitors going through Cardiff International Airport this summer.”

The Ring Cycle education project was designed to meet a number of Key Stage 2 & 3 requirements of the National Curriculum, from art, design and technology to music, history and geography. 

It has involved seven schools, four artists, and more than 200 children from schools in disadvantaged areas, encouraging them to explore creative arts linked to the Ring Cycle performance themes.

 

ENDS             24th July 2007

For further information please contact Claire Sneddon, Sturgess Van Damme, on 01275 349011 or email claire@sturgessvandamme.co.uk

 

Photo Caption:

Jon Horne, Managing Director, Cardiff International Airport and Judith Isherwood, Chief Executive, Wales Millennium Centre in entrance hall of Cardiff International Airport