The Locked Room

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In 1969, four tutors at Saint Martin's School of Art in London initiated a radical experiment in sculpture education. Students in the "A" Course were confined in a large white room, locked from the inside, where they received projects outlining only what they could not do. Communication among students and with instructors was forbidden, and no feedback or evaluation was provided. Discussing the course outside the room was discouraged, leading to controversy. Fifty years later, participants reflect on their experiences in this unique setting. The book features interviews, conversations, and writings from those involved, alongside unpublished photographs and archival materials. It showcases over thirty student projects developed during four years of innovative instruction by tutors Peter Atkins, Garth Evans, Peter Harvey, and Gareth Jones, as well as student-initiated activities, including a notable extracurricular "boxing match." This experiment challenged traditional educational norms and the concept of a canon, encouraging students to critically engage with their experiences and take ownership of their learning. Its radical approach continues to influence contemporary art education.