THE MOMENT Tuesday 30 April - Friday 3 May 2019 Royal College of Art - maria howard
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Be Yourself at Claremont THE MOMENT Tuesday 30 April – Friday 3 May 2019 ilable Royal College of Art Also ava ! in white Kensington Gore, London SW7 2EU Featuring works donated by leading contemporary artists and Royal Academicians, supporting research into childhood cancers through Cancer Research UK www.young-art.org.uk Nursery & Prep School St Leonards, East Sussex, TN37 7PW . 01424 751555 Senior School & Sixth Form Bodiam, East Sussex, TN32 5UJ . 01580 830396 enquiries@claremontschool.co.uk . claremontschool.co.uk
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 ABOUT YOUNG ART Children helping children Young Art is an annual exhibition of children’s paintings, CONTENTS drawings and prints at the Royal College of Art. Over 7,600 young people aged from 4 to 18 from more than 87 schools Welcome 4 – mainly in London – enter the competition every year. The Young Art 2018 6 pictures are judged by a panel of leading contemporary artists and this year over 820 have been selected to be exhibited. Cancer Research UK 7 A Word from the Vice-Chancellor 9 Over the last 28 years Young Art has raised more than £1,000,000 towards vital research into childhood cancers Patron’s Welcome 10 and clinical trials at UCL Institute of Child Health Great Ormond Street Hospital and other leading hospitals Meet the Judges ... through Cancer Research UK. and the Young Artists 11 Silent Auction 45 Behind the Scenes 48 Young Art in Schools 50 Behind the Microscope 54 Where Art Can Take You 56 Printmaking at Home 60 Prize Winners 65 Highly Commended 66 Exhibitors 69 Acknowledgments 80 Catalogue compiled and edited by Maria Howard. Design by Clover Gwynn. Artwork photography by Penny Bishop. Cover image by Amara Khan. 2
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 Welcome Welcome to this year’s edition of Young seriously, carefully looking at each and supporters who contribute funds and Art at the Royal College of Art. The every one of the 7,600 entries to select products to help us stage the largest theme of ‘The Moment’ has inspired the 820 for the exhibition. The judges exhibition in London after the RA some wonderful creativity that you also generously share their time and Summer Exhibition. will see throughout the exhibition, expertise with the pupils – creating from ‘the moment I opened my mouth a dialogue via questions and answers This is Young Art’s 29th year at to taste a strawberry ice cream’ to the with the prize winners (see page 11) the RCA and we wish to thank the winner of the Vice-Chancellor’s Prize which offer some fascinating insights college for its continual generosity who captured a poignant memory of into the artistic process. and support, in myriad ways, not her beloved grandmother in a truly least the amazing, unique experience exceptional picture. YA would like to thank our patrons: it gives to school pupils to have their Prof Ken Howard RA, Prof Sir work exhibited in what is now the Every year we hear extraordinary Christopher Frayling, Prof Chris Orr number one post graduate art college stories about how being involved with RA, Eileen Cooper RA and our judges: in the world. YA has had a positive effect, not only Nicola Bayley, Eileen Cooper, Patrick for pupils but teachers and volunteers Cullen, James Hart Dyke, James Lloyd, None of this would be possible without as well. We have come to realise that Prof Chris Orr RA and Paul Thompson, the hours and hours of tireless work YA is so much more than a children’s the Vice-Chancellor of the RCA, for all from the committee who are all art exhibition; there are reports of their continued support and hard work. volunteers and happily give their time confidence being boosted by some who and support for this wonderful cause. were struggling at school, and even The teachers from the 87 schools poor school attendance being improved also deserve a very special mention Enjoy ‘The Moment’ and join us in 2020 overnight as a result of recognition for inspiring their pupils and for the 30th Anniversary YA Exhibition from YA, but for us the stand out organising the entries, as do all the – the title is ‘Memories’, of which there moment was seeing two sisters who parents who generously donate for will be many to celebrate. had recently lost their third sister to their children’s work. lymphoma being so proud that they were raising money for research into Last year YA raised over £83,000 childhood cancers through their for specific research projects into paintings being exhibited last year. It childhood cancers at UCL Institute truly is about children helping children. of Child Health Great Ormond Street Hospital through Cancer Research UK. The standard of work gets better every year, giving the judges a very We would also like to thank Hilary Stallibrass and Adrea Blakeney hard task. They take their job very the many generous donors and Co-chairs, Young Art 4 5
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2018 SUCCESS THANK YOU The 2018 exhibition was a knockout were so proud that all the hard work On behalf of Cancer Research UK, I would like to welcome success – as one school commented, and enthusiasm from everyone who is you to the 29th Young Art exhibition, raising vital funds to ‘what a brilliant event, so well part of Young Art helped achieve this tackle children’s cancers. My heartfelt thanks to go to all supported and smoothly run, but wonderful result. Dr Karin Straathof those involved in making this annual exhibition such an even more exciting was the sheer and her team of researchers visited inspiration to all who take part and attend, and a highlight quality of the work.’ the exhibition, bringing the worlds of in the calendar for us all. art and science together, united by the The title ‘Feelings’ inspired some common purpose of helping to find a The Young Art committee is extremely passionate and wonderful creativity; one of our cure for childhood cancers. driven; we are incredibly proud to work with each and every favourites was ‘this was my feeling one of them. Thanks to their tireless commitment and your when I wasn’t chosen for the ballet Everyone at Young Art would like to generosity, crucial funds are being raised for childhood show’ – we loved that Young Art gave say an enormous thank you to all the cancer clinical trials. that young artist another avenue to people who make it happen – exhibitors, express herself. teachers, schools, parents, judges, the In the UK, around 4,500 children and young people are RCA and all our supporters who gave so diagnosed with cancer every year. Clinical trials are at the Imagine our feelings as we presented generously to such an important cause. heart of taking new therapies from the lab and into the clinic, a cheque for £83,000 to the research helping to make the best possible treatments available to all teams at UCL Institute of Child Health We would also like to thank our cancer patients. Cancer Research UK is the only charity that Great Ormond Street Hospital; we amazing committee. funds a dedicated clinical trials unit for all children’s cancers and, with your support, we are working hard to transform the lives of those affected by this terrible disease. Why donate? I hope you enjoy this very special exhibition and thank you £2 could buy a box of £35 could buy special £1,000 could again for your support. Together we will beat cancer. chemical scissors which pay for the work microscope slides – yours help decode genetic secrets of the Children’s could be the slide that Frances Milner hidden in cancer cells Clinical Trials Team makes a breakthrough Executive Director of Philanthropy and Partnerships for one day, which £20 could fund the £100 could buy a supports giving Cancer Research UK chemical measuring children access to the cost of running Cancer tool which helps analyse latest cutting edge Chat for one hour, DNA molecules cancer treatments helping many parents and families through £750 could fund one very difficult times week of a clinical trial 6 7
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 A Word from the Vice- Chancellor I am hugely impressed by the technical skills on display, but as important, the expressive human qualities captured in paint, collage, or the drawn line. Over recent years, there has been a growing understanding of the impact that the arts can have upon the health and well-being of children and adults alike. Participation in the arts can benefit people who experience mental, social, or physical barriers to personal fulfilment, and provides a fantastic opportunity for social interaction and We are very proud to be hosting the community engagement. 29th Young Art exhibition at the Royal College of Art, ranked for the fifth The exhibition encourages artists consecutive year as the world’s number to help others less fortunate than one art and design university. It’s always themselves by raising much needed an important moment in our annual funds for Cancer Research UK. Over calendar when we, a postgraduate the years the generosity of artists and community, are reminded of the value of those who have bought their work creative expression at the very earliest has allowed Young Art to donate very of ages, and the importance and value of substantial sums of money each year the arts within our schools’ curricula. to the charity. So to everyone who has helped this great venture – to the This year’s theme of ‘The Moment’ young artists, school teachers, the has produced work of great poignancy Young Art volunteers, and to visitors – and some enigma. The theme has thank you for your support of this very encouraged young artists to explore worthwhile endeavour. significant personal relationships – often familial – and to interject a Dr Paul Thompson moment of surprise or to capture a Vice-Chancellor of moment of private reflection. As ever, the Royal College of Art 8 9
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 Patron’s Welcome Meet the Judges … Prof Ken Howard OBE RA and the Young Artists This is the 29th year of children helping children through From tips on materials to the differences the annual Young Art exhibition at the Royal College of Art. between art and craft, we present a dialogue On behalf of Young Art, and as its longstanding patron, between the prizewinners and the judges I would like to extend my thanks to all of those involved in making this exhibition a huge success. A particular thank Judges’ portraits by Lucy Parakhina you must go to every child who has entered this competition and contributed to this fantastic show. The importance of art in the school curriculum cannot be overstated, it helps prepare children for their future life and makes that life richer. The Young Art exhibition is part of that process as well as providing funds, through your generosity, to help with UCL’s vital research into childhood cancer. Thank you for your support and I hope you enjoy this wonderful exhibition. Silent Auction Register your bid and you could soon be the proud owner of an original work of art by a leading contemporary artist Proceeds benefit research into childhood cancers through Cancer Research UK See page 45 for more information 10 11
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 Nicola Bayley Judge for Reception and Year 1 Questions by Tasmin Davies What kind of art do you do? are in the books. If I’m doing a present The main kind of art I do is illustrating I paint cats, birds, flowers, sunsets or children’s books, so I’m given a story starry skies (you can see why I loved and I work out which scenes to paint Tasmin’s picture). – it takes me about a year to do [one]. I also try to draw a picture most days Do you use lots of different materials? for myself in a small notebook when I mostly use my watercolours, 44 little I’m on holiday or out and about and blocks in a very old box. Sometimes I see something interesting. use colour pencils but it takes up lots of time keeping them sharp enough, What kind of pictures do you make? I also love drawing with very black My pictures are almost always rather pencils 9B on textured paper. small, I do them the same size as they First prize Tasmin Davies Reception and Year 1 Claremont St Leonard’s Questions by Nicola Bayley First of all, very well done, your What paint did you use and did you picture is really beautiful. I wonder draw the tree from life? what made you choose that image as I used inky watercolours and oil pastel. your ‘moment’, it certainly conjures up something magical to me, it’s so full of atmosphere. My picture is of the moon, it is a winter tree and owl. It is nighttime and I was thinking about what it would be like to camp out at night . 12 13
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 Joint third prize Evyenia Papadimitriou Thomas’s Fulham Joint second prize Joint third prize Thomas Copland Lilly Pointon Thomas’s Battersea The Harrodian Pre-Prep Joint second prize Io Tan James Allen’s Pre-Prep Reception and Reception and Year 1 Year 1 14 15
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 James Lloyd Judge for Year 2 and Year 3 Questions by Phoebe Winfield Why did you choose my picture from got older and at art school I found all the entries? painting a fascinating way to try to I chose your work because of its capture people. humorous title, powerful colours and decisive use of line to quickly describe Who is your favourite painter? how your sister was feeling. My favourite painter is Vincent van Gogh, other painters may be more Why did you become a painter? refined than him, but as someone who When I was little, like lots of children, found a powerful way to express how I enjoyed drawing and mainly drew they feel about the world around them people. The interest developed as I I can’t think of anyone better. First prize Phoebe Winfield Year 2 and Year 3 The Village School Questions by James Lloyd Firstly congratulations on your What do you think is the difference amazing drawing, ‘The moment my between someone’s drawing sister needed to go to the toilet’. capturing a moment and a It’s not only visually striking but photograph capturing a moment? also funny, why did you choose to When you draw a picture you keep illustrate this particular moment? the moment for much longer than I think it is really funny because when you take a photograph. people don’t usually pull funny faces when they need the toilet! Who are your favourite artists and do they inspire you to draw and paint? Your drawing is like an illustration I like Frida Kahlo because she paints of a story, do you like writing too? from her imagination and she uses Yes it is nice writing because you can pretty colours that are really amazing tell your own story. when you look at them. 16 17
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 James Hart Dyke Judge for Year 4 to Year 6 Questions by Poppy Harris How old were you when you found commission to paint a portrait of your passion for art? someone who lived in Santiago, Chile. There was a very clear moment when One of my collectors, who is also a I found my passion for art. At the age very keen climber, had a business of eight my parents took me to the meeting in Chile at the same time as Victoria and Albert Museum where I my commission. He suggested that we saw a small landscape study by John should meet up and go to the mountains Constable. This little study triggered in Patagonia to climb and trek. Hence my fascination for painting and in was born my Patagonia project. particular landscape painting. Have you got a favourite painting? How did you get your inspiration No, I can’t really say I have a to paint Patagonia? favourite painting. I look at lots of Many of my projects come about by paintings, different ones depending a series of coincidences. In the case on my mood at the time. Second prize of Patagonia it started by getting a Amara Khan The Study Third prize Alexa Ferreira Okada Thomas’s Battersea Year 2 and Year 3 18 19
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 Second prize Ida Gentzel North Bridge House First prize Third prize Poppy Harris Year 4 to Year 6 Sophia Cheam Questions by James Hart Dyke Karaket Eaton Square Why did you like the picture [I like it] because it is easier to draw you painted? with, you can be more precise with It reminded me of a time on holiday your colours. when watching the sunset and relaxing. Who is your favourite artist and Have you done other paintings who inspires you? like this or is this the first one? Claude Monet is my favourite artist, I love drawing; this was my first I love what he captures, my Daddy painting with pastels on black paper. inspires me too as he loves art. 20 21
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 Patrick Cullen NEAC Judge for Year 7 to Year 9 Questions by Charlie Sutherland What was it about my painting that colour much more than tone. The made you choose it? Impressionists began this development I was drawn to your painting because it but Bonnard takes it much further has an emotional charge. The hunched and offers a far wider range of subjects figure conveys a sense of something (portraits, interiors, still lifes, the impending, something weighing him nude, landscape and mythical themes). down... Behind him is an ambiguous Working largely from memory, he is shape, I wondered if it were a lamppost able to include much more expressive but it emits no light. It seems very close and personal themes than you’ll ever to him, almost leaning over him. Could find in a Monet. it even be following him?! If I were to improve part of it, what would that part be? First prize That’s a difficult one. I could make a suggestion which might be an Charlie Sutherland Year 7 to Year 9 interesting experiment though it’s The Grey Coat Hospital Questions by Patrick Cullen no guarantee it would improve the painting because one of its strengths Congratulations on creating a strong before you started painting? is its starkness and simplicity. But you and thought provoking image. Can Or did they sort of emerge during might try working into the background you tell me a little about what is the course of painting it? to imply ( very subtly, I would say) going on in the painting? I remembered the dark figure under a an urban landscape to give more of a When I painted this I was in my lamppost and it inspired me to paint context to the figure and the lamppost. granny’s art studio. She gave me an old the bold red background as I was blue canvas and told me I could paint trying to create a dramatic mood. Who is your favourite artist and why? anything on it. As I started to paint I I wanted to give the painting an Pierre Bonnard, who fortuitously was thinking about an image I saw on emotion – in the painting the man is has a major show at Tate Modern till the internet a few months ago and of going through a rough patch and is May 6th. For me he is quite simply the impact it had on me because the alone and anxious. At first I tried to the greatest colourist and painter of figure looked so sad and lonely. paint a light coming on him from the light of all time. These are inseparable lamppost. This didn’t seem to work, in his work because the light in a I wondered about the tall shape so instead of persisting I left it because Bonnard painting is conveyed through behind the figure. Did you have the I liked the way it looked, like an idea of juxtaposing these two shapes ominous presence looming over him. 22 23
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 Prof Chris Orr MBE R A Patron of Young Art and Judge for Year 10 and 11 Questions by Mana Davies-Cooke If you could have any work of art in to be considered a rather easy path your home what would it be and why? in a college or school, inferior to the I live with work I have been fortunate solid academic subjects. Nowadays we enough to acquire from artists that realise the value of learning across I have known and admired such as the spectrum. Terry Frost, Paula Rego. I collect James Gillray satirical etchings. I Do you think that art has changed would love to have some Picasso the way we look at day to day ideas, prints and I once nearly bought at and if so how? auction an Edvard Munch print. Art is integrated into what we both desire and what we have. Art is part How do you think that the way people of the substance of what we are study art has changed? and has all our problems as well as Art education is much more part of pointers to our success. the mainstream of learning. It used Second prize Willow Wilson The Harrodian Prep Third prize Noah Smith Quainton Hall Year 7 to Year 9 24 25
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 Second prize Third prize Lilianna Sierra Maia Mathieson James Allen’s Girls Kew House First prize Mana Davies- Cooke Year 10 and Year 11 The Grey Coat Hospital Questions by Chris Orr Did you make a maquette and have especially interested in how light can objects take on a life of their own. when you change the lighting, the hard you studied the optics of the way change the emotion of a moment. Everyone viewing the image could edges are softened and the painting light and shadows fall? interpret it differently, so when viewing become complex. So I started with I created the maquette and also the Is there a narrative? this image it is as if you are living that a simple, clear design that became furniture which I lit, experimenting This is about being human in a sense moment as you would at a table or complicated through the light and with various light filters, but in the end and just living the moment. The sitting on a chair. shadows and where the hues changed I decided to use the original light as windows, the chair, the table, are it became even more interesting in the the shadows created so many different all designed for us. We live our lives Why were the objects chosen? times that the light took on. hues from the light. I am fascinated by surrounded by these objects. But what The furniture is all geometric in design, light and how it changes objects. I am happens when we are not there? The the windows are simple shapes yet 26 27
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 Eileen Cooper OBE R A Patron of Young Art and Judge for the Drawing Prize Year 7 to Year 9 Questions by Max Rokos How long does it take you to make How did your style develop and your prints? change over your artistic career? I mainly work with linocut and woodcut. Probably it’s true to say that one Like working in other media, it can be becomes more knowing and self aware rather spontaneous and happen in days over the years, I’m constantly trying or weeks, or it can take months and to subvert this to keep things fresh years! I often start a linocut, or series of and exciting. So when I was a young prints, cut the initial block, then spend artist my work was more primal; now, a few days making back-up blocks for although I try to keep spontaneity, multi-colour printing. The bigger the it’s more resolved. blocks, the longer the whole process takes (sometimes I make very large What inspired you to make your work? prints). Then I have to decide through I really need to make work and experimenting whether to print on a express myself. I cannot imagine press, or hand print, what paper to use how I would spend my days without First prize Drawing Prize etc. When all this experimenting, which drawing and other creative work. Life Ma x Rokos Year 7 to Year 9 we call ‘proofing’, ends, then the long experiences, the female figure and Wetherby Prep Questions by Eileen Cooper process of editioning the print begins. more recently, portraits, are the main subject in my work. What was it that attracted you to Was it helpful to have some reference Who are the people in your pictures? this subject? material, or did you work from They are both personal and universal. Last year Wetherby Prep did a memory and imagination? production of A Midsummer Night’s I looked at a few paintings of Dream and the picture captures the A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I often moment between the characters see horses which helped me with the Bottom and the Fairy. donkey head. Why did you choose these materials It seems like you spent a very long to draw with, was the absence of time on this piece, it is very intense, colour important? did you discover something different [Pencil] is my strongest material in working for a long time, can you because I draw every day for about an say what this might be? hour in the morning and again in the The work took around an hour and a evening. The fact that it is black and half, my drawings often take me a long white works because it is a dramatic time because it takes me a while to subject and makes it look stronger. focus in on the work. 28 29
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 Eileen Cooper OBE R A Patron of Young Art and Judge for the Drawing Prize Year 10 and Year 11 Questions by Annabel Fox It is difficult to know when I have Do you feel that you paint things finished my piece of work – I don’t differently as you get older, or see want to ruin it – do you have any advice things a different way? for knowing when to leave it alone? Yes I do, another great question. As This is a very important question you become more knowledgeable, or and there is no answer. My feeling is, proficient in particular areas, I think leave the work, look at it while you are you lose things. I am always trying working on other things, and if you to find difficulty, in order to subvert have a nagging doubt, go back to it. myself, in the subject, materials Don’t be fearful of spoiling your work, and process. This keeps things fresh that’s how you learn, which is the for me. How lucky you are to be whole point of what we do. discovering this for yourself! Second prize Nell Sidwell If, from today, you could only ever When you teach art, what do you Kew House paint one object or thing from life, think of as your most important and nothing else, what would it be? pieces of advice? It would be the work that I am Be true to yourself, put the hours in. Third prize involved with at this moment, work Have fun and don’t be precious. Liam Dee that is ongoing in my studio; today Jewish Free School it’s a self portrait. When you look at each piece of work you have finished years later, what do you remember? Can you recall the inspiration for it, or what it was like to create it? Great question; both of these, especially if it’s significant for me and has stood the test of time. I also look at it critically, sometimes I would like to change things, alternatively, I’m Drawing Prize really pleased that it’s locked in time. Year 7 to Year 9 30 31
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 Second prize Third prize Fatma Hussein Iona Mellis Paddington Academy James Allen’s Girls First prize Drawing Prize Annabel Fox Year 10 and Year 11 St Mary’s Calne Questions by Eileen Cooper What was it that attracted you to Why did you choose these materials Was it helpful to have some It seems like you spent a long time this subject? to draw with, was the absence of reference material, or did you work on the piece, it is very intense. This is a drawing of my sister, who colour important? from memory or imagination? Did you discover something different is nearly four years younger than I chose to do a pencil drawing as I I had my sister with me as I was in working for a long time? me. I love drawing her as she has wanted to create depth. I hope I was drawing and I hoped this helped me to I tend to be very self critical when a very mobile face and shows her able to achieve chiaroscuro effects capture some of her personality, but I drawing, so taking a longer time to feelings clearly which suits her quite using pencil rather than oil. The mainly worked from a photograph as I step away and evaluate what I had expressive character. absence of colour helps emphasise wanted to study the way the light fell done helped me to decide what worked the contrast. on her features. and what I wanted to change. 32 33
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 Prof Chris Orr MBE R A Patron of Young Art and Judge for the Printmaking Prize Year 7 to Year 9 Questions by Freddie Jones Which artist or single work of art When did you decide to become an do you admire most? artist or realise that becoming an Paula Rego’s Jane Eyre artist was a possibility? lithographic suite. From an early age I was obsessed with stories both written and visual in books Which qualities were you looking or in the world around me. Writing and for when you judged this Young drawing were the obvious means for Art competition? me to follow this inclination. At school, Originality and inventiveness. it was English and Art that were the subjects that I did well in and going to What is your opinion on the art school was a clear path. difference between ‘Art’ and ‘Craft’? They are seamless. Great craft is part of art and great art has powerful craft, either practically or conceptually. Do you have a preferred printmaking technique? No, all mediums from etching to digital First prize print techniques can be wonderful or The Printmaking Prize can equally be vacuous and mediocre. Freddie Jones Year 7 to Year 9 Magdalen College School Questions by Chris Orr Do you think printmaking helps you Does the medium throw up surprises get your ideas sorted out? and can you make use of them? I feel that the linocut printmaking does Yes, it does. Several times I have allow more room for trial and error experimented with linocut at home at some points. For example, printing and have found that even two prints of in different colours can give different the same linocut can be very different possible versions compared to painting probably due to the thickness of the when you only have one attempt. But ink. The chance to experiment with then again with reduction linocut there different colour combinations can also is definitely no way of going back if you produce surprising results. With my make a mistake. picture I made many different colour versions and couldn’t have predicted which one would have looked best. 34 35
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 What’s the difference between Where would you go to look at prints? Prof Chris Orr MBE R A ‘Craft’ and ‘Art’ in your opinion? In Oxford we have many galleries which Patron of Young Art and Judge for the This is a difficult question! Some I have visited, including the Ashmolean Printmaking Prize Year 10 and 11 Questions by Lucy Lewis Ward people say the difference is to do with and the Museum of Modern Art. I have the material and techniques (ie. textiles also been to see some local artists at might be more ‘craft’ and a pencil work making lino prints in the Wytham Is there a specific moment which you Do you think the use of colour drawing might be more ‘art’) but others Studio, outside Oxford. These are very remember when you first became can make a print more effective say it is about the intention of the work detailed images compared to those of, interested in Printmaking? or interesting? – ie. if it is meant to express something for example, Cyril Power whose images When I was young, because my father Colour is vital. Even a black and white rather than to just look nice and/or be influenced my work. I have not had the was in the commercial printing print is in colour. Black is a colour and functional it might be considered more chance to see any original Cyril Power industry I visited print factories. It has to be used just as effectively. Colour as ‘art’ than as ‘craft’. Something linocuts but have the book and one copy was very different from nowadays, the is the physical stuff of life. It can move like collage and cut-outs feels like (The Eight) and would love to see some processes used were entirely analogue us, inform us and give us pleasure. craft but then Picasso and Matisse of the originals. and rooted in real ink and paper, much used these techniques and produced like my own practice today. The smell of Do you find it helpful to plan your famous works of art. ink and the use of metal and machinery print design thoroughly or do you used to produce wonderful things like prefer not to plan at all? books and pictures excited me. Printmaking always involves planning, but as well as strategies and schemes To what extent do you experiment the artist who makes prints must have with printing materials? a sense of improvisation and discovery. All the time. From the oldest methods to They must be persistent and prepared the latest digital techniques I like to try to revise and rethink. I am right at the out ways of getting my ideas to work. beginning of my learning curve. Would you say that there is a quality or feature that you strive to achieve in your prints? Clarity is important to me. Not simplicity. The viewer may have to work hard, but I believe in expressing the idea I have in the clearest way possible. Second prize Third prize Rollo Butler Brown Jolyon Fox City of London Boys Dulwich Prep London The Printmaking Prize Year 7 to Year 9 36 37
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 Second prize Francesca West The Grey Coat Hospital Third prize Jacob Lainchbury Royal Ballet First prize The Printmaking Prize Lucy Lewis Ward Year 10 and Year 11 James Allen Girls School Questions by Chris Orr Do you think Printmaking helps you I occasionally made mistakes when Digital technologies will not replace Where would you go to look at prints? get your ideas sorted out? cutting, differing from my original traditional art methods, but I believe I visited the Victoria and Albert Yes, definitely it was the development drawing, but I found that incorporating will rather produce extended choices Museum and also the Tate Modern of my original drawing into my finished these only added to the expression to my for the artist to use. For example, to look at prints for inspiration when print that helped me refine my ideas. final prints, and weren’t a distraction. when I made these prints, I used looking for mine. The work of Patrick After this, I enjoyed the practical side I also found surprises when layering Photoshop to capture colours from Caulfield was particularly interesting of printmaking, and this helped me colours on the prints as often colours works I found inspirational and create to me, with his use of bold edged express my ideas and showcase my wouldn’t turn out as I had planned and colour stories for them. From this colour block prints of domestic objects. original ideas from my first drawings. expected, but I learned to find this an print, the colours were taken from a I think this can be seen in my prints. exciting step in printmaking. photograph I took out of my classroom I also believe that the internet is a Does the medium throw up surprises window on a miserable rainy day. This brilliant way to view prints as you and can you make use of them? Is there a relationship between shows the direct relationship between could find almost any style, subject Whilst making test prints, and technology and art? technology and art. matter or colours you desire! perfecting my skill at this, I found Yes there definitely is a relationship. 38 39
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 Dr Paul Thompson Vice-Chancellor of the Royal College of Art and Judge for the Vice-Chancellor’s Prize Questions by Kadija Musa What particularly made you What advice would you give to choose my drawing for the a young aspiring artist today? Vice-Chancellor’s Prize? Remain curious. Don’t be led by fads You capture the frailty of age and or fashion. Don’t rush! the frailty of human form very poignantly and with extraordinary Which artist or art movement graphic ability. You are a superb inspires you? draughtswoman and convey human Like you, I’m a big admirer of Munch, emotion very powerfully. but my list of inspiring artists is quite long: it definitely contains Goya, What is it like to be the Vice- Anselm Kiefer, Mark Rothko, Gerhard Chancellor of the Royal College Richter, Holbein and, and, and ..! of Art? Busy! We’re a small university crammed full of wonderful people, ideas, and possibilities. First prize K adija Musa The Vice-Chancellor’s Prize Collingham Questions by Dr Paul Thompson I was struck by your work last year, Are you drawn to portraiture, we’ve how do you feel your practice as seen two years of strong portraiture, an artist has developed or changed do you feel this is your in direction? special preoccupation? Since last year, I feel more in touch with I’m very drawn to portraiture. The my emotions and thoughts and I’m able features and landscape of the face to express myself better than before. and the body are captivating subjects Over time, I’ve developed a philosophical that are intimate and emotional. way of thinking and I’m more aware of My favourite way of conveying and able to understand my emotions. emotion is through the human Because of this I can better express form which I think is something myself through the things I create. so beautiful and expressive. My practice has developed along with my development as an individual. 40 41
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 Have you worked with pastel Which artist’s drawings do you Third prize and chalk before? most admire? Phoebe Wells I mostly work in coloured pencil but I I don’t really have a specific artist that Streatham & Clapham Senior occasionally try other things like oil I admire most but if I were to choose pastels, which I used to recreate a large an artist that I like more than others, version of ‘Berry Beard’, from last I would say either Edvard Munch for his year’s competition. Chalk and pastels interesting exploration and expression are something that I’ve tried before on of psychology, or Nicola Samori for the a small scale and I’m planning to use various ways in which he combines on one of the pieces I want to create in traditional portraiture with a more the near future. modern and contemporary element to create what I consider to be emotional and dramatic artwork. Special mention Louis Mennear Collingham Second prize Elizabeth Elliot Streatham & Clapham Senior The Vice-Chancellor’s Prize 42 43
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 Young Art would like to thank the sponsors of prizes for their generosity Young Art Why not take part in our silent auction? Silent Auction Register your bid and you could soon Year 4 to Year 6 The Vice-Chancellor’s Prize be the proud owner of an original work The Education Department The Royal College of Art Proceeds benefit research into of art by one of our esteemed judges of the V&A childhood cancers through and supporters Books donated by Cancer Research UK Year 10 to Year 11 Daunt Books, Folio Books, Cass Art Pan Macmillan Books The Drawing Prize Art materials for other The Royal Drawing School prize winners donated by NICOLA BAYLEY The Printmaking Prize Green and Stone, Chelsea Florence Baguette Daler Rowney Goodie bags for all watercolour on paper prize winners donated by 10.5 x 15 cm The Prof Sir Christopher Frayling Prize Cass Art Green and Stone, Chelsea Follow us! EILEEN COOPER OBE R A Keep up to date with Young Art news, photos and more Mysteria by following us on Facebook and Instagram. linocut 37 x 46 cm Like us at facebook.com/youngartattherca Find us on instagram as @youngartcruk Remember to tag us in any photos of the exhibition and use the hashtag #youngartcruk 44 45
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 PROF CHRIS ORR JAMES HART DYKE CBE R A Matterhorn on diagonal Two Scottish Poets, Robbie Burns oil on acrylic on board & William McGonagall 23 x 40 cm watercolour and pencil on paper 29 x 42 cm PATRICK CULLEN JAMES LLOYD NEAC Hampstead Heath, Men’s Pond Golden Hillside, Tuscany Landscape oil on canvas Evening Light 43 x 32.5 cm oil on canvas 79.5 x 69.5 cm PROF KEN HOWARD DOR A BERTOLUTTI OBE R A HOWARD The Mousehole Gap Venice, Carnival oil on canvas Photograph 43 x 38 cm 68 x 54.5 cm 46 47
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 Behind the Scenes art can give. I also enjoy seeing the so many pieces it is impossible not to at Young Art reactions of the RCA postgraduate arrange them in blocks but it is essential students as they walk through the show that there is balance and dynamic We spoke to volunteer Kimm Stevens to the canteen or studios. Many seemed contrast to enable individual pieces to about what goes into the making of a to be reminded of why they decided to be seen separately as well as being a Young Art exhibition and asked him take up art. They clearly love the work – part of a whole panel. Be aware of the for his top hanging tips its directness and simplicity of purpose, character and merits of the individual unburdened by sophistication, a truth pieces and hang them so that, as far as so easy to forget once we are grown up. possible, each one can shine. What can you tell us about the As a professional artist what advice behind the scenes work that goes can you give our young artists? into the exhibition? I would encourage anyone interested The sheer quantity of work. We in a career in design or art to go to art arrange the paintings on the floor in school. An art education trains people front of the intended wall and shuffle to think radically and creatively. You them around until there is a balanced learn how to have ideas and how to How did you first get involved of the work is delightful and original and dynamic arrangement. Then we develop them into new unexplored with Young Art? that it seems a pity to eclipse it with a photograph the arrangement and territory. Remember – everything I was put in contact with Hilary competition. Having said that I know put the work back into the portfolio made that we wear, sit on, watch, look four years ago through my daughter how nice it is to win a prize! in order of hanging. These folders at or use has probably, at some stage Clover who designs the catalogue and are passed on to the teams who then in its development, been designed or graphics for Young Art. Initially it was My daughter, Freya, died of cancer four position the work on the walls. filmed or painted by someone who to hang the framed work donated by years ago and I really wanted to do went to art school. the Young Art judges. I happily did something positive to raise money to This process sounds quite ordered – this in about half an hour, whereupon help combat cancer – the opportunity in reality there is much discussion, Gain as many skills as possible – Hilary asked my opinion on a wall to work with Young Art was both timely opinion and negotiation! And it’s really practical and physical as well as digital. of drawings – before I knew it I was and serendipitous. Young Art celebrates difficult to remember all the decisions Draw, paint, make, build. I have always involved in the arrangement and the art of the next generation and for each wall as there is so much work. painted – as a child and throughout my hanging of a large part of the show. focusses that creativity and endeavour A clear record of the plan is essential. working life. I never expected a ‘regular’ to raise significant funds in the battle job but always had three occupations – What appeals to you about the against cancer. What top tips can you share with painting and exhibiting, designing competition and the cause? us about planning and hanging and working on practical projects The exhibition is a fantastic way to What’s the most exciting thing about an exhibition? (I designed and built playgrounds for get children involved in raising funds the exhibition for you each year? Think what the purpose of the several years) and part time teaching and celebrates the originality, energy Arriving at the RCA on the Sunday arrangement is. Be aware of the in colleges and art schools. I have and fun that is intrinsic in children’s morning before hanging the show and exhibition space, what is the light been lucky enough to keep going and paintings at a world class venue. I don’t opening the folders of work and seeing like? Is the space intimate or grand? have a varied and rewarding working always agree with the way competition the pictures for the first time. The Hang work in a manner appropriate life which is a lot of fun. Never be separates out a very few works to be beautiful, the skilled and the vibrant, to the space. With Young Art there are discouraged by others’ opinions. the ‘best’ or the ‘winners’. So much wacky cornucopia that only children’s 48 49
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 Young Art We spoke to three art teachers in Schools about their involvement with Young Art Nick Jordan to the exclusion of all the rest! Keep Thomas’s practising, experimenting, sketching and most importantly – looking. How many years have you been What has art given you in your contributing to Young Art? life and career? I inherited Thomas’s involvement in Teaching art was a second career. the Young Art Exhibition Competition I began as a commercial artist faking when I took up the post of Head of Art photographs with bleaches, dyes, Andrew Carter What was your experience of art in 1997 so 22 years! three bristle brushes and an airbrush. James Allen’s Girls’ School (JAGS) at school? I remember one campaign when we While it was exciting and enjoyable to How do you think Young Art helps started with a photograph of five surfers create artwork in school, it was always children in school today? riding a wave and made the surf look How did you first get involved with subject driven with little emphasis on Apart from making them aware of as if is spelt ‘Schweppes’. I spent seven YA? Where did you first hear about it? process and aesthetics. I did learn to Cancer Research and its work in happy years perfecting the craft of photo [It was] about 20 years ago; a parent appreciate colour at school. treating a disease that, presently, will retouching only to have it melt away at our school was involved in the probably come close to all of us, the with the advent of the digital age. I was organisation and suggested that we This year’s theme is ‘the moment’ competition adds an edge to encourage advised to train as a secondary teacher, might submit some work. – how do you think your students’ children to produce their best. as primary would lead to chronic work has captured this? back ache (I’m 6’4”). Primary/prep is What do you teach? All of the pupils’ artwork is made Why do you think art is so important a good age to teach art. The children Art – essentially painting, drawing, ‘in the moment’! it is about observing in schools? are uninhibited, their enthusiasm is printmaking, textiles and three and questioning the world around In the formative years it’s incredibly infectious and they’re funny! dimensional work – at the senior them. To this end most of the work important to give children the means school, ages 11–18. produced automatically fulfilled your to express themselves, to create for Who are your favourite artists wonderful brief! the sake of it. In a very recent article and why? What is your school’s approach Antony Gormley wrote, ‘we need to Claes Oldenburg was a favourite in my to art? How do the students respond to value the joys of original thinking’. youth. He doesn’t take himself, or his All art starts with some form of being involved in the competition, surroundings, very seriously. Christo observation, and we believe that it or winning prizes? What advice would you give to and Jeanne-Claude for looking at our is possible to learn about colour and It is always a delight to see pupils’ young artists? landscape in such a whimsical, yet composition, proportion and spatial enthusiasm at seeing their work To try all the media they can get their poignant way. Turner, especially for his relationships. While these concepts displayed in a different location. hands on and once they’ve found the watercolours which are extraordinary. of looking are important, we are Winning a prize is a major accolade. medium that suits them best, Albrecht Dürer for his masterful encouraging pupils to find their own Lucy is delighted to have won first prize to stick with it. Not, I hasten to add, observation and Arthur Rackham – subject matter and inspiration. in the Printmaking category, as we are! the best illustrator ever. 50 51
YOUNG ART 2019 Susannah Moore We envisage a world where creativity, Finton House School collaboration and communication inspire new ideas and innovative solutions. We believe that the success of the next How did you first get involved generation will hinge not only on what with YA? they know but on their ability to think Thirteen years ago we were invited and act creatively as global citizens. to enter the Young Art competition, and we haven’t looked back. This This year’s theme is ‘the moment’ annual competition has become such – how do you think your students’ a highlight for the children and it is work has captured this? even written into our curriculum. As the theme is open to interpretation, it is always fascinating to see the world What is your school’s approach/ through the lens of a young artist, ethos to art? and YA never fails to get their creative At Finton House, in nurturing a passion juices flowing! for creativity, children develop the confidence to express themselves, be Pictures this year captured many intuitive, appreciate different cultures, delicious moments, for example ‘the Have you thought about take risks and become visually literate. first lick of ice cream on a sunny day!’ Little observed acts of kindness were sponsoring a school? Quentin Blake, the Children’s Laureate said, “Art is not just a subject to learn, illustrated in pen and ink to express ‘a but an activity that you can practise kiss on the cheek because someone is with your hands, your eyes, your whole sad’. Many older children with passion personality” – we agree too! and concern felt moved to express Help support a good cause and encourage children to be creative. critical moments, like climate change, We bridge the gap between art in school or plastics pollution, depicted by a Not all schools can afford to enter the Young Art competition and art in life by encouraging pupils to young artist as ‘a turtle entangled in but your business could help by covering their donations. see the subject both as an intellectual plastic litter’. Whatever the age or and creative pursuit. As specialist ability, this year’s title inspired their fertile imaginations, to capture unique Find out more about school sponsorship by contacting us at teachers, Eunjung Seo Feleppa and I are highly trained in drawing, painting, moments in time. www.young-art.org.uk printmaking, textiles and 3D crafts – practising artists, who love to share with the children our knowledge and top tips. 52 53
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 Behind the Microscope Alice Piapi, Research scientist at UCL Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond St Hospital, tells us about her work in treating neuroblastoma and her path into research What are you currently researching? What does your day to day routine Did you always know you wanted Who are your favourite artists? We are developing a new look like? to be a scientific researcher? I’m Italian so I like the classical greats immunotherapy to treat My day to day varies. It is not like When I was a child a close friend of like da Vinci. I would always choose neuroblastoma, which is the second a normal 9 to 5 office job, every mine passed away from an untreatable the Tate Britain over the Tate Modern. most common solid cancer in children. day is different depending on the illness. It was from that moment that What this means literally is that we experiments we are doing. Some days I knew I wanted to go into this field to Do you believe creativity is important take white blood cells from a patient I am in a lab into the night testing make a difference by researching how in your line of work? and engineer them so they can patient samples and pieces of tumour to treat untreatable illnesses. Also, my Absolutely. I often have to think recognise and attack the tumour when to see what they are made up of and mother is a nurse and my grandmother outside the box, being creative to come we insert them back into the patient. how we can fight them. Some days I am was a midwife so you could say it was up with new ideas for treatments. Even analysing data. Some days I am meeting in my blood! with data you have to read between How does the money Young Art with other scientists and collaborators the lines to understand what it is raises help? to share data and discuss ideas of better What advice would you give to really showing you. It is like art in a Most of the research we do is funded ways we can fight cancer. aspiring scientists or scientific sense, there’s always more than what by charity so the money YA raises is researchers? is on the surface. used in the beginning, middle and What do you like most about your job? Go for it. Work hard because it is not end of our research. It is the reason I feel a strong sense of purpose, easy. Be determined as 9 times out we are able to do what we do. The especially working for children. We of 10 something unexpected will same therapy we are trialling but spend a lot of time working to reduce happen in an experiment so you have for the treatment of leukaemia is the side effects of our treatments as to believe in what you are doing. Also already in clinics so it is an exciting well so kids can go on and live their there will always be people along the time for our research, we are adult lives without long term problems. way to support you, ask for their help. definitely moving forward! 54 55
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 Where Art can take you We spoke to three bright talents in the creative industries about how art has shaped their lives and careers Aïcha Mehrez and do some drawings to explore the Assistant Curator of forms and shapes in the artwork or Contemporary British Art at Tate write some notes or even poems to explore how the artwork makes you feel. Art is for everyone! Did you study art at school? I didn’t study art at school as I was What’s the best thing about your planning to go into a career in music job? as an opera singer, so I focused most Working with living artists is both of my energy on music. I had always a joy and a challenge. Where most thought of my interest in the history people have a set group of work of art as a hobby but once I got to my colleagues all year round, every time constantly strive to understand and think that if I were to do anything A-levels I decided that the music world I start working on a new exhibition respect other people’s experiences and else, I would be a landscape gardener, a wasn’t for me and that following my or commission, I have a new group positions on life. I am half Algerian cook or a dog walker. passion for art and art history might of people with different specialisms and grew up in a predominantly lead me to a more interesting career. and interests around me. Every day is white school and area just outside of What are your views on the role of art different and I am always learning. Manchester. At school, I didn’t know in schools and at home? It was difficult to apply for a subject anyone else like me and wasn’t sure It’s absolutely crucial that art is at university which I had never really How has studying or pursuing a where I fitted in culturally. The art present for everyone right from the studied but I was excited about art and career in art and design helped you? world is full of people like me who use beginning both at schools and at I made sure that I spent lots of time I think it is very important to art as a way to understand themselves, home. The study of art and art history reading around the subject. The most constantly challenge our own others and the society in which they reveals so much more than just the important thing though, is to spend thoughts and beliefs as well as those live. Now I have a community of history of painting or sculpture. time in front of art. Whether it’s in the that are present in the world around artists, writers and thinkers where Through the history of art, we can Tate Gallery or in the small museum us. Art encourages us to continuously everyone is different, and I fit in learn about social history, politics, in your town, if you want to go into evolve and look at things from lots of exactly as I am! philosophy, feminism and all sorts of a career in galleries or museums get different points of view. other crucial subjects. out there to see things and decide What else would you have done if what you think of them! Don’t be For me, a career in art has helped me you hadn’t ended up in art? Image: Installation view of Don McCullin, As I mentioned before, I would have Tate Britain (5 February – 6 May 2019) intimidated by long complicated texts to develop an understanding of my Courtesy of Tate Photography (Matt Greenwood) in galleries, get in front of some art own identity. It has also taught me to been an opera singer! Nowadays, I 56 57
YOUNG ART 2019 YOUNG ART 2019 Jasper Jacob Grace Helmer to me. Then when I am painting I feel Architect, designer and painter Illustrator calm and fully immersed in what I’m doing. It is a temporary escape from the world, where I can pause and reflect. How did art influence your path What do you do? in life? I’m a freelance illustrator, so I draw What are your views on the role My father painted birds and so I grew and paint for different magazines, of art in schools and at home? up to appreciate art and drawing, and books, websites, anything really! Art is always a valuable subject to painted from a young age. I studied study, regardless of whether students architecture and interior design at art Where do you work? want to carry on with it past school or school which meant I had to paint and I have a desk in a shared studio space not. It can teach us so many important draw for the architecture and design with other illustrators, animators and skills, things like problem solving, projects. Later I worked for the BBC artists who have a similar working paying attention to details in our as a set designer and then went into routine, and we help each other when surroundings, how to express our designing museums, art galleries and we’re stuck for ideas. emotions. Sometimes people are scared cultural exhibitions worldwide. to draw if they haven’t for a while, or if What’s the best thing about your what they’re drawing doesn’t look like Do you still paint and draw? job? how they think ‘art’ should look. But Yes – painting is what I really like, It’s very flexible as I am my own boss! just the act of creating and making can not only to communicate ideas but This can be hard sometimes as I can be as important as the final result. to get me thinking and looking. My How has studying or pursuing a end up working too much, but it is daughter is also in the art world and career in art and design contributed great in summer when it’s a really nice paints and draws; so from my father to your life? day I can go to the park instead. I can to my daughter, art is an important I have been able to travel the world, choose what projects I want to take on, help for memories. I keep sketchbooks meet interesting people and interact what direction my work should take, all the time and concentrate on my with cultures from many different and what I want to do each day. The watercolours, pen and ink drawings backgrounds. best thing really is that I get to paint and drawings on my ipad. and draw all the time and do what What are your views on the role makes me happy. What’s the best thing about your job? of art in schools and at home? My job working on museums and Art schools should encourage more How has studying or pursuing a cultural exhibitions got me interested drawing and painting in all the career in art and design helped you? in history and the people who made subjects like design and architecture. The research side to each brief helps things and painted and drew. I could The computer and specialist art and me to learn about loads of different communicate with people who maybe design programmes are important but topics – I can be asked to read an could not speak English, with my to get an idea ready for design, the article on healthcare, or plant theft, drawings and sketches. In the display hand drawn sketch is vital. or an explorer, then respond to it of artefacts it is the people as much as visually. In my personal work I can the object that matters. work through issues that are important Image: Energy in the sky Image: Shinrin yoku, autumn 58 59
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