The IB Visual Art Exhibition opened on Tuesday, 20th March. It is an outstanding show and the eight talented artists should be congratulated on their fantastic artwork. Each young artist has curated their own space following a focused theme, communicating powerful issues to the audience through a wide range of media from painting to digital art to sculpture and film and projection.
In the first space, Chloe Wheatcroft explores themes of home and identity. Mixed media and cardboard pieces portray slums in a close formation and convey the vulnerability of a number of these homes in Manila which fell to fire. These are followed by photographs and wooden sculptures which reflect her personal battle with scoliosis and her process of recovery following spine surgery.
Mia Camara explores her identity and culture through artwork which ranges from a striking self-portrait to an expressive portrait of her sisters and an atmospheric rendering of the Natural History Museum in London. The incorporation of pineapples is a symbolic representation of her Caribbean heritage.
There are many things in this world that people care for, ranging from the relationships they have with their loved ones to the joy they gain from material objects. Alia Yazid’s exhibition focuses on a range of physical and emotional values that are often considered important within society and invites viewers to consider what they value. These range from impressively realistic portraits of her closest friends to a hanging installation made of banknotes.
Jordan Chiew celebrates the ‘individual’ and encourages viewers to express themselves rather than conform to the acts and ideologies of a group. Much of his work is impressive digital painting and he skilfully contrasts line and detail to highlight the colourful world of an individual.
Aleeza Yusuf shares her journey to self-acceptance through a powerful body of work which explores the concept of ‘identity’. The pieces range from paintings and plates to film and photography and focus on her own experiences growing up in a different culture. They also consider wider issues such as immigration and women’s rights.
Chantelle Phillips takes her influence from the places she has lived in and visited. Through her art she has worked to understand and explore the cultures she has been exposed to and her personal difficulties with accepting who she is. These pieces range from stunning landscapes to mirrors, masks and photographs.
Iman Abdul Halim’s exhibition explores metaphysical, psychological and emotional themes through architecture; using the physical to depict the mental. He uses the tangibility of architecture to invite viewers into his mind. The central piece, ‘Isolation’, is an impressive suspended sculpture in which a small metal building floats on contours of clear acrylic.
India Iles explores twin themes connected to childhood. She looks back at her memories of her childhood before considering the dangers of sugar and obesity affecting so many children around the world today. This has resulted in a colourful, eye catching collection of works which range from a dress shaped lantern to paintings, photographs of jumping figures surrounded by swirls of sprinkles, and a colourful padded coat – all of which draw the audience in to consider the underlying and serious issues.
The opening of the Exhibition was well attended by parents, pupils, beaks and the Master and Mrs Stevens and provided an opportunity for the artists to engage their viewers with further insights into the creative works on display. The captivating exhibition continues until the end of term and is well worth visiting for the quality of the artworks and the powerful messages conveyed.
Mrs Lucy Prime
Head of Art
