Renowned for their unique claymation and stop-motion masterpieces, Aardman has captivated audiences worldwide with their endearing characters, witty storytelling, and unparalleled craftsmanship. Today, we delve into the creative genius of Aardman, and explore how they got involved with the ‘Wild in Art’ trails.
The Birth of Aardman
In 1972, in a humble attic in Bristol, England, two brilliant minds Peter Lord and David Sproxton embarked on a creative adventure. Fuelled by a shared passion for animation, they founded Aardman Animations, with a vision to bring imagination to life.
Aardman Animations' success can be attributed to the beloved claymation duo, Wallace and Gromit, who made their debut in 1989 and have since become cultural icons. The Academy Award-winning films "The Wrong Trousers" (1993) and "A Close Shave" (1995) solidified their status and propelled Aardman onto the global stage. Aardman's first feature-length film, "Chicken Run" (2000), a claymation comedy with a prison-break plot, became a worldwide hit, grossing over $220 million. More recently, the spin-off series "Shaun the Sheep" and its feature film adaptation, "Shaun the Sheep Movie" (2015), have showcased Aardman's ability to captivate audiences of all ages with their trademark humour and heartwarming storytelling.
Claymation and Beyond
At the heart of Aardman Animations' creative brilliance lies their distinctive claymation technique, which has become synonymous with their unique brand of storytelling. Claymation, also known as stop-motion animation, involves painstakingly manipulating clay characters frame by frame to create seamless animations. Aardman's dedication to this intricate art form is evident in the remarkable attention to detail and craftsmanship in every scene.
The process of claymation begins with the creation of clay characters, meticulously sculpted by skilled model makers. These characters are designed to convey a range of emotions and personalities, with each intricate detail crafted to perfection. The malleability of clay allows Aardman's animators to shape and mould the characters into a multitude of expressive poses, breathing life into the figures.
Once the characters are ready, the animators move into the process of capturing each frame. It requires immense patience and precision as they carefully manipulate the characters, moving them ever so slightly between frames to create the illusion of movement. This labour-intensive process demands hours of meticulous work for just a few seconds of footage, highlighting the dedication and passion of Aardman's talented animators.
Through the meticulous capture of frame by frame movements, the clay characters spring to life, conveying a range of emotions, from subtle expressions to hilarious slapstick comedy. Aardman's mastery of timing and storytelling adds depth and charm to their animations, captivating audiences of all ages.
Involvement with Wild in Art Trails
Beyond their film and television ventures, Aardman Animations has expanded their creative endeavours to collaborate with ‘Wild in Art’ trails. These art trails combine creativity, community engagement, and public art to transform cities into captivating outdoor galleries. These art trails not only celebrate the artistry of Aardman and artists who get involved, but also foster a sense of community, inviting locals and visitors alike to explore their cities and discover the hidden gems of creativity along the way, often fundraising millions for UK charities along the way.
Aardman Animation and Wild in Art started their partnership in 2021, when it was announced that the loveable characters ‘Shaun the Sheep’ and ‘Morph’ would be used as characters in art trails up and down towns and cities in the UK.
Rob Goodchild , Commercial Director at Aardman said: “We are very happy to be working with the great team at Wild in Art to bring more art trails featuring our characters to the streets of the UK, including the inaugural Morph art trail – a character that’s encouraged creativity in generations of kids since the seventies. We look forward to finding fun and creative angles to connect our characters with each location and inspire people – young and old – to get creative.”
Hancock Gallery are proud to be sponsoring this year's Shaun on the Tyne art trail with Aardman, Wild in Art and St Oswalds Hospice. At Hancock Gallery this summer you can discover a world of art, learn about mischievous artists and how to make some mischievous art of your own. Our sculpture and experience area will be revealed on 19th July, when the art trail launches, sign up to our mailing list or follow us on Instagram to be the first to know more.
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