Twenty-six local secondary, primary and infant schools took their inspiration from Rolf Harris to create a town centre installation of Millet’s 19th Century masterpiece, “The Gleaners”.

The finished artwork, which measured around 5m x 4m was put together on Saturday the 11th March 2006 on a specially constructed scaffold outside Dixons, by the Millennium Clock. Timed to coincide with Fairtrade Fortnight, the finished work remained on display for three months.

To recreate “The Gleaners”, a copy of the painting was divided into a patchwork of 300 panels, which were randomly distributed amongst schools for students to enlarge and paint. Some sections were held back, and members of the public were encouraged to come along and join in the fun and add their own brushwork on the day.

The Mayor of Tunbridge Wells, Jennifer Paulson-Ellis and local Conservative MP Greg Clarke also added their artistic talent, as did the Archdeacon of Tonbridge, Clive Mansell and the Vicar of St. Lukes James Wheeler.

The painting was then put together like a giant jigsaw.

‘The Gleaners’ was painted in 1857 by ‘Millet’, an example of ‘Social Realism’ which captures the harsh reality of life at the time.

However, it remains a potent and relevant image for the Fairtrade campaign today, as it contrasts the poor gathering leftover grain (gleanings) after the harvesters have taken the cream of the crop, seen stacked in the carts in the background. – a stark analogy for the unfair global trade rules that keep farmers in poverty all over the world today.

For many people, rural poverty is very much as it was 150 years ago. The serious side to this community art project is the issue of Fairtrade, both for farmers in the developing world, and for our local farmers, many of whom are also struggling to compete in the global market place.

When all of the individual pieces of art were brought together the result was a piece of art of breathtaking scale and beauty. The way that Millet’s artwork emerged from the abstract components dramatically visualises what happens when people collaborate; anyone who doubts what even the smallest contribution can make should draw great encouragement from this project.

SCHOOLS INVOLVED IN ‘THE GLEANERS’ PROJECT

Bennett Memorial
Bidborough
Broadwater Down
Broomhill Bank
Bishops Down
Claremont
Holmewood House
Langton Green
Oakley School
Pembury
Sherwood Park
Skinners
Speldhurst
St. Augustine’s
St. Barnabas
St. Gregory’s
St. James
St. John’s
St.Luke’s Infant School
St. Mark’s
St. Matthew’s
St. Paul’s Rusthall
The Mead
Tunbridge Wells Boys Grammar
Tunbridge Wells Girls Grammar
Tunbridge Wells High School

Read the report on the BBC wesite