Another exceptionally busy half-term.  The A-level Art and Photography exhibition was a real highlight and a celebration of two years of hard work from both the students and art teachers.  A special thank you to Mrs Davies who makes this all possible with her specialist set of skills, knowledge and unwavering good humour!  I will share more details of the amazing artwork once formal exam grades have been released, but here is a photo from the evening.

 

The sixth form taster day was very well attended, with over twenty students in the art session.  The students got stuck in exploring a new technique to create some expressive landscapes. We’re very excited to hopefully see these students returning in September to begin their A-level Art or Photography course.

 

Our Year 10 GCSE Art students recently visited the National Portrait Gallery, where they spent the day exploring the collection and learning about the work of a range of influential artists and photographers. Looking closely at different portraits helped students develop their understanding of composition, lighting and how artists communicate identity through portraiture.

The visit also included a photography workshop at the gallery, where students were introduced to using DSLR cameras before working in the studio to recreate portraits inspired by the pieces they had seen. It was a great opportunity to put their learning into practice, develop new photography skills and experience working in a professional studio environment. The students approached the day with enthusiasm and represented the school exceptionally well.

 

The KS3 House Photography Competition was an opportunity for students to respond to the theme of Connection and/or Isolation.  There were some incredibly thoughtful, beautiful and surprising entries. What a talented community we have! Seacole were the overall winners.  A special commendation was awarded to Aarna in Year 9 Attenborough for an outstanding photograph of her grandmother and some beautiful accompanying words: I took this photo when illness made my grandmother's world feel small and isolated. Yet, sitting there calmly in her favourite saree, she didn't look that lonely at all. This picture is a reminder that even in physical solitude, her quiet courage and warmth can fill a room.

All the winning entries can be seen in a display in the art corridor.  We shall print and frame the top images and display them around the school.  Thank you to all those who entered, we felt very privileged to view your work.
 

For Open Day a few weeks ago, the Creative Arts Faculty collaborated for performances and visual responses to the theme of Emotions – Inside/Out. In Year 9 Art lessons, students explored how the emotions Joy, Anger, Fear and Love are presented through painting, drawing, print making and sculpture. Artists studied range from Monet’s joyful paintings, to Alberto Giacometti and Germaine Richier’s anguished post war sculpture, Jamie Reid’s anarchic punk graphics and the spaghetti graffiti of contemporary illustrator and artist, Mr Doodle. It was fun to have some larger scale pieces as the backdrop for the music and drama performances.  Thank you to everyone who supported this.

 

Well done Queens’ students and staff for a fantastic year of creativity.  A special thank you to my incredible art team, Mr Ali, Ms Lynch, Mrs Padgham, Mrs Davies, and the Creative Arts Faculty for your constant enthusiasm and getting the very best from our students.  I hope you all have a restful summer.  

Miss Challis
Head of Art and The Creative Arts Faculty
 

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