Children of Lacock Primary School recently met award winning photographer Mandy Barker visit to the exhibition that inspired their summer term art projects.

She is currently exhibiting at the National Trust’s Fox Talbot Museum in Lacock with Plastic Soup; images created from marine plastic debris which prompt the viewer to think differently about plastic pollution in the world’s oceans.

Years 5 and 6 children of Oak Class were tasked with creating their own interpretation, using plastic waste and other recycled materials to create pieces depicting clean cities and kelp forests. The pieces went on display at the museum at Lacock. Oak Class teaching assistant Beth Dark said: "The focus of their work was on creating things to help heal the planet, based on the idea of providing just one thing to make a difference."

Mandy’s work deliberately includes images designed to capture children’s attention, one featuring hundreds of broken plastic toys seemingly suspended in an underwater seascape and another with 769 footballs which were sent to her from coastlines all over the globe.

"I like to ask the children, are these toys you have yourself? It is so important to engage the younger generation as they are the ones set to inherit the plastic problem," she explained.

She added she was impressed with the pupils' work.

Lillie-Rose, 10, created a 3D Clean City using plastic containers and straws to depict wind turbines, recycling centres and a farm. The farm was her favourite. "With a farm you wouldn’t have to get in a car to go to the shop, because you’d grow your own food," she explained.

Plastic Soup runs at the Fox Talbot Museum until April 2023.

The children’s artwork will be exhibited throughout the school holidays.