'Check Mate - The Art of Chess'

Throughout the 20th century the game of chess has been an inspiration, if not an obsession, for artists.

This project aims to get to grips with this wonderful 'game' through a variety of arts based workshops

This art project will give participants .....
* an opportunity to understand how chess is played and to make chess sets
* to look at the artists that have been connected with chess
* a visit to 'The Art of Chess' at the Gilbert Collection
* and culminate in a mini chess tournament with prizes

Keith Simmonds

Workshop 1 - London 11 Nov. 2003

A basic introduction to the game of chess. The group recalled past experiences that they had of chess, and discovered that, although no one could play chess, everyone had unheard of chess and some of the group knew the names of the chess pieces and had seen chess sets, either in shops or on the television. The group examined the individual pieces, and learnt how the pieces are set up on the chessboard. An interesting discussion took place regarding the names of the pieces, as all have a multitude of associations. The group talked about the 'Knights of the Round Table' for example in reference to the knight piece, and 'The Pope' was mentioned as he reminded people of the bishop piece! The group constructed their own chessboards out of paper strips, some of which were very conceptual in nature. One of the group began a diary to record each workshop, an extract of whioch is given below.

Zahid Mirza

I did chess this morning.
I did pawn. This morning.
I did queen and king. This morning.
I did chessboard.
I made a chessboard out of the paper. This Morning.
I wrote my own Story.I was laughing at everybody. I worked very well. Today.
I looked at different pieces. This morning.
Pawn castle knight. Bishop queen. King. I like chessboard.

work shop 1 'Fun through Paint!' Part 1

work shop 2 'Fun through Paint!' Part 2