Please sir, I want some Morph!: Schools Invited to Join Unique Charity ‘Adventure’

ONE of TV’s best-loved mischief-makers is winging his way into classrooms as part of a project open to schools across the UK.

Animated favourite Morph – who first appeared on screen more than 45 years ago – is the star of a Whizz-Kidz initiative aimed at improving inclusivity and access for disabled people.

Morph was one of the first creations by the Bristol-based animation studio Aardman. He made his TV debut in 1977 on the children’s art programme Take Hart, and now has his own series on Sky Kids.

The Whizz-Kidz project, Morph’s Epic Art Adventure, culminates next summer with the installation of dozens of eye-catching Morph sculptures on a step-free trail around some of London’s most famous landmarks.

Schools are being invited to design and contribute their own 93cm (three-feet) high Morphs, which will feature on the trail alongside a series of 1.8m (six-feet) models of the cheeky character painted by budding, established and celebrity artists.

The project is spearheaded by Whizz-Kidz, the UK’s leading charity for young wheelchair users, with the support of Aardman and event planners Wild in Art.

Sarah Pugh, chief executive of Whizz-Kidz, said:

“We hope this will be a fun and exciting way for schools not only to inspire artistic creativity but to open up conversations around disability and inclusion. Morph’s Epic Art Adventure will be fully wheelchair-accessible, embodying Whizz-Kidz’ vision of a world where young wheelchair users are enabled to live life to the full, without unnecessary dependence on others or exclusion from the activities that millions take for granted.”

For all enquiries please email the Morph’s Epic Art Adventure Team at [email protected].

Artist Submissions Revealed at our Sponsorship Selection Event

Last month, our amazing sponsors had the exclusive ‘first-look’ at the designs which may make it into Morph’s Epic Art Adventure Trail in London next summer.

Over 45 people attended to witness the big reveal and have the chance to select their top three designs.

Before we revealed the artworks, Andrew Prestney, Partner at EY, our Official Events Partner said:

“At EY, we’re striving to create a workplace where everyone feels they belong and differences are valued. I’m proud we’re building on our long-standing relationship with Whizz-Kidz and sponsoring ‘Morph’s Epic Art Adventures’, which promotes accessibility and inclusion, two key priorities for us. I have fond childhood memories of Morph and am looking forward to seeing the unique sculptures around London next summer, which I’m sure will create much-needed conversation, particularly around the restrictions young wheelchair users face every day.”

Jason-Wilsher Mills, who recently worked with Whizz-Kidz young people on a collaborative design for the trail said via video:

“It’s about working with children and young people, first of all. They’re going to work with me and see a disabled person who’s a successful artist - whatever that means! - which is really positive. My Job is to kind of tease out stories, which I can include on the sculpture design, that are kind of honest, authentic, and real. That is my job really as the artist, to bring those stories out and share them with the very lucky, lucky people in London.”

Peter Lord, Co-Founder of Aardman and Co-Creator of Morph wished the sponsors good luck with their selection process before via video:

“I’m so sorry I can’t be with you tonight, but me and Morph are with you in spirit! We’re thrilled to be working with Whizz-Kidz, to bring Morph’s Epic Art Adventure to London, and I’d like to thank all of you for your support to make this amazing and inspiring event happen. You are extremely lucky to be getting a sneak preview of the designs tonight. It’s always such a thrill to see how artists interpret this unusual canvas. I’ve been working on my own design, which I’m very much looking forward to seeing at full size, along with all the other amazing Morphs on the streets of London!”

We then revealed the artists portfolio which included all the designs and a description of each submission alongside the artists’ biographies.

The event provided the partners and sponsors with the opportunity to help shape what the incredible art trail will look like when it hits the streets of London next summer.

So, what happens next?

Our partners and sponsors will now submit their top three choices, and the Morph team will review all selections and confirm design allocations in early January 2023. After the selection is complete, our talented artists will be commissioned to start bringing their vision to life on the 6-ft Morph sculptures.

Sponsorship opportunities still up for grabs!

If you know of a business who’d love to sponsor one of our amazing Morph sculptures find out more…

Morph’s Epic Learning Adventure on BBC Radio Kent

Lexi, our lovely Community and Events Executive for Morph’s Epic Learning Adventure spoke about our Learning Programme on BBC Radio Kent on the 30th of November.

During the interview Lexi spoke with Adam about what the Learning Programme and Morph’s Epic Art Adventure trail entails, and how schools can get involved.

Lexi commented “We will provide you with your very own mini morph which schools can get creative with and come up with their own design, and also a learning pack and lesson plans to talk about inclusivity and disability in the classroom.”

Tim Longthorne, a teacher from Valence School in Westerham was also interviewed alongside Lexi, as the school was the first in the UK to take delivery of a specially-created model of Morph. The pupils will work together to decorate the 93cm (three feet) high model before it goes on public display next summer.

Tim commented “We received the letter in the post from Whizz-Kidz, and we’ve been working with Whizz-Kidz for many years, as Valence school is a school for students with physical disabilities and complex learning. And so this project really resonated with us, and we thought yeah let’s get on board with this, and also school art is a very accessible subject for our students.”

Listen to the full interview here

The Search is on For Morph’s Epic Artists!

Whizz-Kidz, the UK’s leading charity for young wheelchair users, is calling on London Artists to join Morph’s Epic Art Adventure, the UK’s first step-free art trail of its kind.

• Commission fee: £1,000
• Deadline for design submissions: midnight, Tuesday 1st November 2022
• Announcement date for selected designs: 29th November 2022

From 19th June to 20th August 2023, central London will be transformed by super-sized Morph sculptures, providing an exciting must-see attraction of a much-loved character, whilst increasing public awareness about the need for young wheelchair users to be mobile, enabled and included in society.

In partnership with Wild in Art and Aardman, Whizz-Kidz hopes to use the Art Trail to encourage the public, business community and young people to envision what a more inclusive world might look like for young wheelchair users, and what role they might wish to play in making this a reality.

Located alongside some of London’s most iconic landmarks, each Morph sculpture

will be uniquely designed by an epic artist - that’s where you come in!

The search is on for a diverse group of London Artists to transform up to 70 Morph sculptures into playful, fun and cheeky designs, just like Morph’s character and family of friends: Chas, Delilah, Nailbrush, Grandmorph and The Very Small Creatures.

Whatever your level of experience, we want to hear from you and most importantly see your ideas. The Morphs are 3D blank canvases and incredibly versatile. We’re looking for a wide variety of designs and artistic styles that explore different themes around diversity, accessibility and London’s rich history.

“What characterises this new public art is engagement and participation. The walls between the elite who produce art and those who observe it are disappearing, and art has broken out. This kind of art is not something you choose to go and visit, it goes to make itself an audience.” Demos Institute

Join a talented team of artists, let your creativity run wild, and be part of enabling everyone to have epic adventures in London!

Find out more

Follow the latest coverage of Morph’s Epic Art Adventure in the news…

Timeout: Whizz-Kidz launches its first accessible art trail with 70 Morph sculptures

Brands Untapped: Kids Industries Appointed Creative Partner for Morph’s Epic Art Adventure

Total Licensing: KI Appointed Creative Partner for London’s First Accessible Art Trail - Morph’s Epic Art Adventure

Licensing.biz: KI Appointed Creative Partner for Morph’s Epic Art Adventure

License Global: Kids Industries Appointed as Creative Partner for Accessible Art Trail

To find out more about KI, visit their website and check them out on Twitter and Instagram

Follow the latest coverage of Morph’s Epic Art Adventure in the news…

Timeout: Whizz-Kidz launches its first accessible art trail with 70 Morph sculptures

Brands Untapped: Kids Industries Appointed Creative Partner for Morph’s Epic Art Adventure

Total Licensing: KI Appointed Creative Partner for London’s First Accessible Art Trail - Morph’s Epic Art Adventure

Licensing.biz: KI Appointed Creative Partner for Morph’s Epic Art Adventure

License Global: Kids Industries Appointed as Creative Partner for Accessible Art Trail

To find out more about KI, visit their website and check them out on Twitter and Instagram

Follow the latest coverage of Morph’s Epic Art Adventure in the news…

Timeout: Whizz-Kidz launches its first accessible art trail with 70 Morph sculptures

Brands Untapped: Kids Industries Appointed Creative Partner for Morph’s Epic Art Adventure

Total Licensing: KI Appointed Creative Partner for London’s First Accessible Art Trail - Morph’s Epic Art Adventure

Licensing.biz: KI Appointed Creative Partner for Morph’s Epic Art Adventure

License Global: Kids Industries Appointed as Creative Partner for Accessible Art Trail

To find out more about KI, visit their website and check them out on Twitter and Instagram