After a visit to the Herbert, the boys were inspired to create their own sculpture.

Inspired by a recent gallery visit, a group of 15-year-old Coventry boys are embarking on a project to create their own artwork – out of trainers.

The boys from Dartmouth School got the idea after a recent trip to the Throne of Weapons exhibit at Coventry’s Herbert Art Gallery.

Throne of Weapons is a chair made entirely from decommissioned AK47 rifles that had been used in the Mozambique civil war. It was exhibited at the Herbert as part of a British Museum touring exhibition and the pupils have been involved in a 10-week programme of workshop sessions using it as their starting point.

The boys decided to use trainers as an identifiable aspect of youth culture to build their own sculpture, which will take the form of a clock and represent Coventry’s watch making past.

The Throne of Weapons was made in Africa from weapons used in the Mozambique civil war. © British Museum

“It is great that the Herbert has been so successful at using a work of art produced in Africa to stimulate a really strong and highly creative response in local school children,” said local Councillor Gary Ridley. “I am fascinated to see what the pupils produce as a result of this project.”

The group now need donations of old trainers to complete the project – they plan to start constructing the sculpture from January 5 2006 with the help of local sculptor Nicola Richardson.

Once finished the sculpture will be displayed at Dartmouth School, Coventry’s BBC studios and hopefully at the Herbert Gallery as well.

Trainers of any condition can be dropped off at a number of collection points across Coventry including the Herbert, Artspace Studios, the BBC studios, Coventry University Students Union and at a number of council reception points. You can track the project’s progress on their website, trainerdrop.