lain shards and slowly unravelling paper clay forms sat alongside serene film and video work revealing the slow degradation of clay and burning fire embers, both exhibits capturing their precise moments of collapse. Themes of destruction and eventual repair took centre stage through delicacy and refinement of process and material, each one speaking volumes about their talented young creators and their individual journeys.
in its diversity with students showcasing their individual- ity in multiple progressive approaches; refined ceramic slip casting nestled between glasswork, wooden con- structions, plaster dripped forms and carefully balanced sculptural elements would not have looked out of place in an edgy urban gallery. Alongside these, via more tradi- tional pathways, exquisite oil paintings allowed pause for
contemplation with their attention to detail, while carefully executed pencil drawings drew the viewer in through an unspoken quiet- ness and honesty, with nar- rative-based imagery paying homage to loved ones. February’s Year 12 interim show ‘Test Centre’ rounded off the students’ foundation and discovery experience
Echoes of the Michaelmas term Berlin Art trip could be witnessed in key instal- lations: the re-imagined pipe work of Umlauftank seemed to emerge from the barren walls of The Store, while plaster rem- nants balanced precariously like restored architectural relics revealed the ‘unseen’ historical damage of society
Art is a reflection of the society that we are, the kind of mirror that art holds up, the way that art helps define the identity of a nation, that you can trace that back historically, it’s deeply embedded in humanity Amanda Levete, Architect
and provided the launchpad for their subsequent personal investigations. The work displayed the challenge, unpre- dictability and excitement of artists encountering new possibilities, as well as the coming together of different approaches and processes shared between students. This was as such a bonding and galvanising experience for our students while they identified their own future artistic practice. Themes of fragmentation, geographical bor- ders, the vulnerability of our own human condition and the challenges of new technology were recurring narra- tives that represented what we saw as a collective social consciousness of the student body. Expressed through diverse media, including highly refined ceramic forms, cutting-edge digital animation, ambitious site-specific installations as well as contemporary interpretations of drawing and painting, these themes provided plenty to unpick and much to look forward to. In what transpired to be a very busy Lent term in The Store, the Year 13 exhibition ‘Take Off’ in January brought the remarkable coursework of our hardworking artists to a well-earned finale. The sheer scale and ambition of so many of the works were testament to the depth and level of interrogation within each personal enquiry. Visitors were confronted with a human-sized red terra- cotta vessel, a sweeping immersive wooden passageway and one of the largest plaster sculptures ever produced at the College. Silently nearby, refined slip cast porce-
through its built environment. As a counterpoint backdrop to these sophisticated sculptures, a series of widescreen multi-coloured canvases seemed to dance to the albeit absent beat of music – a rhythmic colour and pattern ensemble where sounds are fully translated into painterly forms. Elsewhere, twisted bodily forms in flowing states of motion floated above the exhibits, investigating the dy- namism of the human condition. While the Year 13 artists’ sense of purpose and creative risk-taking remain beyond doubt, it was their collective post-pandemic reflections that ultimately shone through. Art students in each of these shows have been able to look beyond themselves, locally and globally, through a wide range of themes: the poignant passing of time, our turbulent political landscape and our growing climate fears all provide the ongoing narratives explored in their personal enquiries. These exhibitions prompt and pro- vide space for students’ undeniable creativity, empathy, understanding, achievement and capacity to innovate, and through their work they have explored emotions, feelings and values. These are outward-looking, com- passionate and resilient students who made this a truly exciting run of student exhibitions which captivated the many classes, teachers, parents and friends who came to visit The Store. ◎
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