Sixth Formers Explore National Galleries

After the trip Alexis Draper commented, “The National Portrait Gallery was my favourite, especially the Taylor Wessing exhibition. It was eye-catching because each photograph had a beautiful deeper meaning.  As you walked in you were faced with the first and second prizes, they were both intriguing, then walking on through the Gallery I was mesmerised by two photographs of children, one a survivor of Grenfell and the other who witnessed the Manchester Arena bombing, the crystal clear images caught my eye, but their link to horrific events made me feel an emotional attachment to the photographs and that is why I was so captivated by the gallery. 

She continued, “The exhibition has inspired my coursework as I have recognised that I love portrait photography and especially the idea of looking deeper into a photograph from what meets the eye.”

Dominic Turner-Burr reflected, “I was overwhelmed by the amount of amazing art and photography works by different people from different backgrounds and meanings.  Many were inspirational including Rinko Kawauchi’s work with time and growing older, and Kurtiss Aaron Lloyd’s work with the Charanpreet Singh Lall when he made history in June 2018 by becoming the first Sikh Coldstream Guardsman to wear a turban during the Trooping the Colour ceremony.  If I had to sum up the trip in three words it would be; Inspiring, Creative and Amazing!”

Head of Art, Paul Hubball added, “It was a really productive day out for the students, they enjoyed three uninterrupted hours in the galleries. It was both stimulating and inspiring and will be useful preparation for their A-level exam.”