Project Sponsor
Robin Hambro
Project Team and Exhibition Curation
Molly Bretton Head of Learning
Melissa Chatton Teacher, Student and Young People Programme Manager
Jessica Webb Digital Product Manager
Anna Smallman Young People’s Programmer
Jess Silva Learning Assistant
Judges, Primary | Ages 4–11 years
Mary Anderson for Assemble RA Artist
Sinta Berry Summer Exhibition Managing Curator
Rosa Klerkx RA Schools Student
Emily Gopaul Art Education Consultant
Judges, Secondary | Ages 11–19 years
Rana Begum RA Artist
Rina Sagoo Assistant Curator, RA Collections
Suleman Aqeel Khilji RA Schools Student
Chris Francis Art teacher, illustrator and co-founder of ArtPedagogy
The Royal Academy of Arts is proud to welcome you to the sixth year of the Young Artists’ Summer Show. The exhibition showcases and celebrates the creativity of young artists, and it demonstrates the importance of art in education.
Our expert panel of judges were looking for original ideas, unique imagination and exceptional skill. They’ve chosen artworks for this exhibition, as well as the online gallery from over 21,500 submissions from artists aged 4–19 years old from across the breadth of the UK.
Making art enriches young people’s lives by developing a sense of free, flexible, and independent thinking – skills that make us resilient to the challenges of an ever-changing world. Creating art can help us make sense of ourselves and the world around us, and in looking at art we have opportunities to understand the life experiences of others.
We are thankful for the commitment of all the teachers working to develop and nurture creativity in their classrooms. Throughout this exhibition we encourage you to experience and appreciate the voices and ideas of young people.
We hope you enjoy their passion, humour, insights, imagination, and skill.
Rebecca Salter PRA President of the Royal Academy of Arts
‘Every year the Young Artists’ Summer Show reminds us of the vital importance of art in the life of a young person. The number of submissions continues to grow and, again this year, we will be privileged to explore the creativity of the next generation. I am delighted that the Royal Academy continues to be a home for future artists and can play a part in embedding creativity at every stage of a young person’s life.’
Robin Hambro Sponsor
Robin believed that art expanded minds and enabled people to see the world in new ways which is why she made a lifelong commitment to supporting the arts and why she was so dedicated in supporting the creation and development of the Young Artists’ Summer Show.
She was passionate about promoting the role of art in education and was proud that her support was enabling the show to grow in success from year to year. We thank her for her continued generous support and, in her spirit, we congratulate all the young artists who submitted and those included in this year’s show.
1
Iris, age 4
Mummy
Drawing
I love my mummy. She smiles from inside her head and has hazel eyes like me. We look for dragons. One day I will have my own white dragon and I’ll be a dragon rider.
2
Rishika, age 4
Space
Chalk on paper
We created a piece of art all about space using chalk and black paper.
3
William, age 4
Planets and Ladders
Crayon and pen on cardboard
William loves playing board games and is quite a prolific game maker himself. This particular one is called ‘Planets and Ladders’ and is inspired by outer space adventures. Roll the dice and your rocket flies around the Solar System, visiting all the planets along the way. If you are lucky, you will get to zoom ahead using one of the special space ladders!
4
Bobby, age 4 Je Dessine Mon Corps
Photograph and painted collage
I like this one.
5
Rose, age 4
The Famous Picture About Rose
Oil pastel
This is a picture about Rose. It’s very pretty that’s what my mummy says. This is a dress and I’m beautiful in it. I’m a beautiful and funny girl.
6
Daphne, age 4
a Self-Portrait
It is me. I painted it. When I look in the mirror I see my reflection and I can see my blue eyes and pink mouth and my white and pinky cheeks. I have yellowy hair and we are all different. But we are all equal and if our skin is blue, white, brown or pink, we are all equal and we treat each other the same.
7
Mahla, age 4
a
Haha it’s me! And there’s my beads in my hair and it looks like a bit of a fringe. My skin is brown and my eyes look black. In my mouth my teeth are white and I’m happy. Actually I am singing because I am happy here.
8
Noah, age 4
Felt tip and pastel on canvas
My crocodile, Fred, is my favourite toy. He is a kind crocodile. I liked drawing him.
9
Olivia, age 4
Mummy Going to Work
Drawing
My mummy is a vet and she looks after mares and foals. This horse has a baby in its tummy. I like to go with mummy to see the newborn foals.
10
Ivy, age 4 Firework
Homemade paint on canvas
Inspired by a love of mixing, squishing, digging and colours, Ivy made her own paints from turmeric, turmeric tea, charcoal, strawberry tea, mud, black tea, coffee, beetroot, chalk and berries.
11
Selena, age 4
Dr Dog
Drawing
I painted with my make-up!
12
Otto, age 4
Traditional Pencil
Felt tip pen on a napkin
This is my drawing of a pencil. I drew it when Me, Mummy and Daddy went out to dinner. We didn’t have paper so I used a napkin. We were playing the drawing game and I wanted to draw an old pencil I saw at my Paw Paw’s house.
13
Param, age 5
Me
Paint
This is my self-portrait. I tried to mix colours to show the different tones and I tried to get the correct shape, size and position of my features.
14
Dylan, age 5
Space
Chalk on paper
We created a piece of art all about space using chalk and black paper.
15
Ella, age 5
The Cat and the Cookie
Paint
One day we wrote a story about a cat and a cookie and that inspired me to draw this picture. I have a friend with a cat called Cookie and wanted to draw a picture to show what she looks like.
16
Jasper, age 5
My Jiji
Felt tip pen on paper
I drew this picture of my Jiji (grandfather) for his 70th birthday. I made it by looking at Jiji very closely and looked at the details on his face. I signed it.
17
Phoebe, age 5
Big Gorilla
Fabric paint
Gorillas experience similar emotions to humans and seek peaceful environments to protect their emotional wellbeing. This inspired Phoebe to paint a colourful gorilla representing different emotions, a little like how some humans choose clothes to represent their mood.
18
Aela, age 5
Heart Radio
Acrylic paint on canvas
I was listening to Heart Radio when I started to paint my picture. The music helped me create it and I like the abstract pattern.
19
I enjoyed making this picture, I made it up from my imagination—he looks a bit crazy and a little bit scary. I liked getting messy putting the ink on the plastic and it was exciting to see how it came out of the rollers on the press.
I drew a picture of my friend Maya—she always has a bow in her hair and is nice to me. I drew her from my imagination—it does look a bit like her. I made my drawing into a print by using sharp sticks to scratch into some plastic. Once I put lots of gooey black ink on the plastic and rubbed it off, my daddy helped me roll it through the press.
21
Ting, age 5
Happy Banana
Drawing
My favourite fruit is banana. This is a happy smiley face banana with bright yellow colour.
23
Collaboration, Alderton Infant School after-school pottery club, Key Stage 1 Into the Forest
Clay and acrylic paint
Living near Epping Forest, the children’s fascination for the wooded world around them inspired Into the Forest. Pottery club created a playful, imaginative space for 12 children in Year 1 and 2 to explore with clay and paint their ideas. Having created ownership of their section of forest, they made fantasy trees and speculated about who or what to include among them.
22
Libby, age 5
When You’re a Grown Up
Watercolour pencil on paper
My rabbit is called Cloud. When you’re a grown up, you can be whatever you want. I think Cloud will be an astronaut when she’s a grown up. Her name kinda sounds like an astronaut, doesn’t it?
24
Etta, age 5 Sausages
Acrylic paint on canvas
Sausages make me happy and I wanted to paint happy things. Sometimes people are sad, and I wanted to share my favourite things with other people so that maybe, when they’re walking by, it reminds them of things they like to eat and they feel happy for a minute too.
25
Ronnie, age 5
Fish Fingers
Clay
I have made a plate of fish fingers because I love fish fingers. Before I made them, I looked at a plate with a fish on by Picasso. I think Picasso would have liked fish fingers too because they’re so tasty!
26
Alfie, age 5
Wheels in Countryside
Acrylic paint on canvas
Alfie has always been fascinated by vehicles, and is filled with energy and enthusiasm to paint them. This painting shows a bus, tractors, pickups, and engineering vehicles against a background of the countryside with birds and trees on a bright sunny day.
27
Lacin, age 5
Sleeping Figure
Felt tip pen on paper
It all started with finding an A4 paper at the bottom of a drawer, with a line already drawn across the middle. The artist wondered what it could be. Then a face emerged above the line, with arms resting on it. The artist thought the blanket should be a colourful patchwork and divided it into cells to colour. As a final touch, a hairclip was added to the sleeping figure’s hair.
28
Clarabel, age 5
Self-Portrait Paint
This is my self-portrait with two buns.
29
Adriano, age 6
Bacon Forest
Crayon, acrylic and spray paint on canvas
Bacon Forest was painted when Adriano turned 5. Legend says the child picked up a crayon, sat on a primed canvas and followed his instincts. The fact that mum was frying some bacon at the time might have influenced the young artist’s mind and nostrils. In this artwork, Adriano married creative writing with visual artistry and surprised everyone with his humour.
30
Quentin, age 5
Ninja Horse
Crayon on paper
Quentin drew Ninja Horse at the library one Saturday morning. The local library is one of our favourite places, and they provide paper and colours and a table to use. Ninja horse is a horse, who is also a ninja.
31
Rex, age 5
What Is Daddy Thinking?
Pencil, oil pastel and sunflower oil
Rex wondered why his dad’s hands were covering his (worried) face and dad replied that he was thinking. It inspired Rex to guess what his dad might be thinking. His main guess was aliens. This made his dad smile. In Rex’s picture, Daddy is smiling.
32
Ted, age 5 Dig
Watercolour paint on card and wooden frame
I was inspired by the book Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen. I wanted to create an artwork where a man breaks out of the frame so that he can go and dig for bones. It was quite hard to plan because there so many elements to it—the background, the frame (and how to break it) and the painting. I like constructing things as well as painting.
33
Squares Are the Baddies and the Circles Are the Goodies
Crayon on cardboard
I wanted to make lots of shapes because maybe nobody else has these shapes. I was thinking about Matisse because we looked at him at school and he was amazing. Mixing up colours and shapes is so much fun.
Aadi was inspired that it was the day after his birthday and he wanted to remember how he looked when he turned 6 years old.
Tissue paper collage on paper
We learned about perspective using colours and shapes.
This drawing is about grabbing the last cupcake at a picnic.
37
Bonnie, age 6
Dangly Bonnie
Poster paint on sugar paper
This is a picture of me with some fancy jewellery on. I like my dangly earrings.
39
Frankie, age 6
The Chicken Is Ready for Dinner
Acrylic paint and felt tip pen on card
I have four chickens as pets and obviously I would never eat them. So this chicken is ready to go out for dinner instead of being eaten as someone else’s dinner.
38
Michael, age 6
Celebrating Black History Month with portraits.
40
Harry, age 6
Cat Jumping Over Piano
Pen and ink on paper
As my sister wanted to practice her piano lesson, our cat jumped off the piano. It always makes me laugh when our cat Mia makes us excited. I sneaked Mum’s special pen and tried to draw this right after.
41 Ethan, age 6
Everything Wonderful Air dry clay
Be yourself. Be happy. You are wonderful. Everything you can dream of, you can do!
43
Alkmini, age 6
A Walk in the Forest
Acrylic paint and coloured pencil on paper
Alkmini looked at paintings that were of winter landscapes by artists, Monet, Pissaro, Briton Rivière, and Peter Doig. She took inspiration from the marks, and colours and how to mix different shades of snow. Working on this piece over several sessions, she sensitively mixed colours, immersed herself in mark making and challenged herself to paint freely.
Deven, age 6
A Tasty Pear
I love to eat juicy pears and I like to paint them, they are my favourite fruit.
44
Lounes, age 6
Love Letter to Earth
Treasures (waste) found on the streets
Dear Earth
We will take care of you more. We will use bikes and scooters and less paper. I know you are working hard.
I love you.
From Lounes
45
Albert, age 6
This is how I paint and I also draw, and I really like drawing pictures and artworks. When I was in hospital, doctors used the robot-machine to check my blood and gave me medicine into my veins. So I’ve gotten interested in the human body and how blood flows through veins into our brain.
46
Arlo, age 6
I am six years old and I have epilepsy. In hospital last summer, I listened to a story about the Romans and found out that Julius Caesar might have also had epilepsy. Ever since then, I have been drawing pictures of the Romans when I am home from school. I find learning about the past very inspiring. I made this picture after having two seizures this morning.
47
Raphael, age 6
Grandma and Grandpa in Blue Mountain
Watercolour paint, oil pastel and felt tip pen
My picture is of tropical Jamaica. I went to visit Blue Mountain with Grandma and Grandpa and we went for a hike. We picked oranges, grapefruit and lemons. My picture reminds me of when we went there. It is a special place for me because the jungle is colourful and I like picking fruit. It is so different to London!
48
David, age 6
Paper, foam, watercolour paint, pencil
First I drew my face and I painted it, then I printed on foam and traced with pencil which created the holes. I made this during our after school Art club where I go every Monday.
49
Tiana, age 6
Self-Portrait
Paint
This is my self-portrait with a bun.
50
Hal, age 6
I Feel Connected to Things
Photomontage
I love the ghost pumpkin. I wish it would last forever. If it rotted, I wouldn’t know what to do. I took a bunch of pictures of it. But I realised, the people who said plants don’t live forever might be mistaken. Dirt lives forever and what becomes dirt? Plants, pumpkins, leaves, crumbs. Even when it rots, the ghost pumpkin will be alive. It’s kind of evolving, turning into a different thing, still existing just in a different form.
51
Meda, age 6
Crowd in Soho
Acrylic paint, oil pastel and marker pen on hardboard
During the Christmas holidays my granny came to visit me and one evening I took her to Soho to try the unusual ice-cream that is served in a hot bun. We ate it outside while watching the big crowd moving around us. I wanted to paint us eating ice-cream but then the idea of painting the crowd popped in my mind and it seemed to be much easier to achieve.
52
Ben, age 6
Swimming Self-Portrait
Watercolour paint, oil pastel, coloured pencil, and pen
I drew this because I like learning to swim. I liked to draw me in the picture. I liked drawing my face with a snorkel on it. I liked making the waves too.
53
Oscar, age 6
Looking Out My Window Crayon
Every morning I like watching the birds on the roof tops. I look at them in morning when I wake up and open the curtains.
54
Mia-Rose, age 6
Card and old juice carton
This work was done as a home project, inspired by our school unit looking at skylines and Trellick Tower in particular. We can see Trellick from our school window.
55
Noémie, age 6 Mummy
Marker pens
This is a drawing of my Mummy because she is a beautiful Queen.
56
Claire, age 6
My Mum in Kitchen Oil pastel
My mum always cooks yummy food for me and my sister. In my picture, she is washing our dishes in the kitchen. I love my mum and I hope she has a happy cooking time in the colourful kitchen.
57 Nio, age 6
The Silly King and Queen
Acrylic paint on canvas
Once upon a time, there were a king and queen who were super silly at everything. One day they said they would guard their sea castle because the guards were not good. They were so silly, they didn’t see the shark near them and were wondering why the fish were all going the same direction.
58
Betsy, age 6
Me Doing Gymnastics at the Beach
Felt tip pen on paper
I like to practice my gymnastics on the sand when I go to the beach.
59
Ted, age 7
Landing in New York Drawing
I love flying on planes and have always wanted to go to New York City. This is how I imagine it would look.
60
Annabel, age 7
Max - The Dog I Never Had
Cardboard, newspapers, acrylic paint, glue, paint and watercolour paint
I am a huge animal lover and my dream is to have a dog. Mummy says not yet so I created my own very colourful dog. It’s made of cardboard, newspaper, glue, paint, watercolours and acrylic. It’s not as playful as a real dog but it still keeps me company at night in my bedroom.
61
Jasper, age 7
Autumn Breeze
Watercolour paint and oil pastel on paper
Painted as part of a school project. Autumn is one my favourite times of year for colours.
63
Collaboration, Blue Gate Fields Junior School, Key Stage 2
Urban Garden
Papier-mâché
Children aged 7 to 11 created an urban garden inspired by a fox that appeared in the playground.
62
Rocco, age 7
A Trip to Fantasy Island
Drawing
There is a little bit of everything going on in this fast-paced fantasy world on land and sea!
64
Nirmol, age 7
Henry VIII
Pencil and coloured pencil
This is my portrait of Henry VIII. I was inspired by the artist Hans Holbein the Younger. I decided to use pencils and coloured pencils to make my picture bright. I wanted to make sure that Henry VIII looked confident and powerful so that’s why he is standing Iike that. I used red and gold to show he is rich.
65
Natalia, age 7 Dogs in Love
Pencil
I love dogs, I love drawing dogs and I love dogs in love.
66
George, age 7 Ice Dragon
Digital drawing
My dragon is drawn on an iPad using Procreate. I really like drawing and have looked at a painting by Uccello of St George and the Dragon and then I made my own. This dragon breathes ice.
67 Max, age 7
Pencil
I drew a picture of football because it is important to me and my country. I tried to capture a moment in black and white to make it look interesting.
68 James, age 7
Drawing
I drew this while I was talking to my auntie on Face Time. I drew myself in the corner because I could see myself on the phone.
69
Bo, age 7
Broken Cat Paper
After her daddy suddenly died in 2023, Bo started using art as an outlet to express her emotions. This collage is called Broken Cat. Bo is doing OK and continues to love art.
70
M Carter, age 7
Spooky Makeover Paint
This is a painting of my sister and me on Christmas day. It is to tell people they can be whatever they want to be. We do it every year and it’s very special to me. It is a time when we have fun during the process of doing our makeup. My sister goes to college and we don’t get to spend a lot of time together, this time is valuable and cherished. This time is fun for us both!
71
Chloe, age 7
My Family Portrait
Acrylic paint on canvas
This is a portrait of my family: my dad, my mom, my little sister and me. I loooved painting it. My dad is a sometimes grumpy man who always works. Mum also works and cleans all the time. She doesn’t like it, but she likes the house tidy. My sister is a little girl who is only 4 years old, she likes playing with her friends. I am a 7 year old girl who likes doing everything. We are happy!
72
Amy, age 7
Fluticorn
Watercolour paint
I like unicorns and my mum has a flute at home so I decided to put them together for my painting. I used the blue paint because it’s shiny like the silver flute.
73
Emma, age 7
Teacher Accepting Award
Drawing
This is a drawing of a teacher getting an award from her students.
74
Cerys, age 7
Maths Blanket
Textile and acrylic paint
My twin brother is great at doing maths in his head but I find it hard, so my mum draws pictures to help me solve my homework problems. As art helps me to do maths, I thought I would put maths into my art. I liked the fabric squares as a background because of the beautiful colours, patterns and soft feeling when I paint on it, and the squares make a lovely little frame for the numbers.
75
Jasper, age 7
Our Trellick Paint
We studied skylines as part of out art unit. We looked at the work of Stephen Wiltshire and then visited Trellick Tower to do observational sketches. We used a limited palette to create our final work of art back in class.
76
Winston, age 7
Our Saviour
Acrylic paint
I made this artwork because I love Jesus. I think Jesus is my saviour.
77
Ivan, age 7
The Final Death
Oil paint on canvas
My uncle just died so I wanted to represent him. In some movies I see that when people die they put all the light on them and it’s dark in the background.
79
Leo, age 7
Amoo (Uncle)
Oil paint on canvas
I love my Amoo (Uncle) Daryoush. He is so fun. He knows I love art and he gave me some oil paints and canvases. The first thing I painted was him while he sat still. I liked mixing the colours for his skin and mouth.
78
Thea, age 7
Strength Sculpture
Wire, plastic, paper, masking tape, papier-mâché, acrylic paint
Inspired by Niki de Saint Phalle’s Nana sculptures and Keith Haring’s dancing figures. I drew my friends dancing to music before designing my sculpture. Then, I formed the wire into the shape of the body, screwed it into a board then added the other materials and paint. I called it Strength because of the muscles it is showing off.
80
Collaboration, Blue Gate Fields Junior School, Year 4, age 8
Birds
Papier-mâché, clay, painted fabric
Children from across the junior school created birds which hang against a painted backdrop and amongst papier-mâché trees.
81
Lola, age 8
When Hand Collides with Foot, There Is No Turning Back
Pencil and paper
I was in Art Class and I saw a board labelled ‘Our Favourite Artists’. I saw a picture and caption of Salvador Dalí and it said he was a Surreal artist. When I went home, I accidentally punched my brother in the foot. He giggled and when I went to my small drawing desk I drew a picture of a foot and a hand colliding.
82
Collaboration, Thomas’s Battersea, Year 4, age 8
Pigeon Parade
Cardboard and gouache paint
Pigeon Parade is a collaborative piece made by the whole of Year 4. There are 58 cardboard pigeons in total (one pigeon per student). Year 4 has been exploring the theme of texture, and we thought, what better way to explore this than by looking out of the classroom window at all the London pigeons.
83
Harry, age 8
Alphabet Lord
Pencil
Even though you can make normal artwork, I thought letters had loads of shapes too which made me decide that I couldn’t only make drawings normally, I could also use my imagination and find letters with all sorts of shapes.
84
Camila, age 8
Pretty Red Hair Lady!
Drawing
This red hair lady is so pretty. She is always wearing colourful satin bows and has a beautiful smile! She loves wearing make-up and has the softest voice ever.
85
Celeste, age 8
Dinner
Drawing
I drew something to help my grandma with dementia.
86
Nora, age 8
Breakfast Buffet (5 Cartoons)
Biro on paper
These 5 cartoons I drew while having breakfast in a hotel in Sweden. They were for my dad. I love looking at cartoons and giving them funny captions so I thought I’d draw some myself. They are called:
2. My Breakfast’s Alive!
3. Forks Against Knives: What Will Happen?
4. Most Stubborn Cereal Ever
5. Angry Croissant
87
Ella, age 8
When the Teacher Fainted
Drawing
Ella loves drawing scenes from the classroom (usually with a more dramatic twist than at her real life school!) and she spends a lot of time on the individual students, adding lots of little details to make them all different.
88
Sara, age 8
Envy
Drawing
Inspired by the Chinese Girl by Vladimir Tretchikoff and my mum.
89
Issei, age 8
My Imagination Town of Putney Bridge
Drawing
I love my town in Putney, therefore I made my imagination of artistic Putney Bridge more fun, bright and colourful.
91
Olianne, age 9
Unique Me
Watercolour paint, oil pastel, thread and used African fabric on canvas
This is a self-portrait using watercolour and oil pastel. This piece identifies how unique I am, I have painted my skin using different shades of brown, my nose in pink, my hair in an Afro style because everyone is different and it is important to celebrate our differences because we are individually special and this makes us beautiful.
90
Phoebe, age 8
Paws
Oil pastel
This picture is about me and a dog with its paws gently touching my head.
92
Stefan, age 8
Life Drawing of My Teacher
Ink
My teacher did some funny poses and I drew her very quickly.
93
Alba, age 8
Dave from the Deep Pastel on paper
I went over a black piece of paper with black pastel then I used putty rubber and white pastel to make the highlights. Finally I made the details and orange eyes. I live by the sea and wanted to do something scary.
94
Maxwell, age 8
My Dog in the Living Room
Drawing
I love my dog and I love my living room so that is why I chose to draw this picture.
95
Cassia, age 8
Doggo Lisa
Acrylic paint on canvas
Doggo Lisa is a large step for dogs and I am very proud of myself for painting the Doggo Lisa. I hope she can be a big help. Doggo Lisa is coming to see you tomorrow!
96
Jesse, age 8
Faces Are Everywhere
Paint and ink on photographic print
I kept seeing things that looked like faces when I was out so I started taking photos of them while asking myself, ‘Do objects look like humans or do humans look like objects?’ I wanted to bring the objects to life more so I used paint and pen to draw human features on them and made a collage with my favourite photos from the collection. I like making mixed media art so this was fun.
97
Yuli, age 8
The Sunflower Girls
Oil pastel on paper
Since I was born I started drawing so basically it was my first talent. I made this portrait after discovering the continuous line drawings of Alexander Calder. I kept on and on drawing happy girls that I call the Sunflower Girls! I used oil pastels to make them really colourful. I was able to draw them as quick as a flash!
98
Jamie, age 8
Urban Versus Nature
Block printing on paper
I saw a red tropical plant at Kew Gardens and was inspired to sketch it. Then I carved its leaf pattern into foam for the darker print. I contrasted the leaf print with an urban wall print which I made by carving bricks into my foam block. My print symbolises a border between urban life and nature.
99
Milly, age 8
Dancing Like a Bird
Acrylic paint
I like dance! When I dance, I feel the breeze rustling my hair. In this picture, I dance in my house. I imagined I was a bird dancing under the sun!
100
Alberto, age 8
I Hate Cancer
Drawing
I drew this the day after my friend died, I was very sad and it helped me calm down. All the small squiggles are cancer and the big shapes are more cancer sucking the smaller ones in to make it bigger and harder for my friend Hans to fight it. The cross through the middle is me trying to stop it. I wish I could have given it to Hans.
101
Alba, age 9
My Mini Messy Desk
Pen, paper, matchbox, fymo, buttons, and thread
I just love making mini things and one day I looked at my bedroom desk and knew I could make it mini and put it in my doll house. I have a huge passion for mini and feel so excited when I get new ideas for mini things. I made the things I took out of my school bag and dumped on the desk.
102
Amelia, age 9
Portrait of a Friend
Black felt tip pen and pencil
I like how her t-shirt says ‘Be kind, always’.
103
Eleina, age 9
A Boy Wearing a Scarf and Glasses
Black felt tip pen
I like my friend’s expression!
104
Zachary, age 9
Controlled Creation
Felt tip pen
Gaming and drawing are two of my favourite activities. I wanted to combine them with a detailed drawing of my games console controller. I used pencil to sketch the controller and then felt tips to colour in the picture.
105
Matthew,
9
Matthew enjoyed experimenting with paints to create a monster truck. Matthew is non-verbal and struggles to read or write but he loves to have fun painting.
106
Jake, age 9
Oil pastel on paper
My cat was the only missing piece of artwork out of all family members.
107
Bethanie, age 9
Pen and ink
I love my family, it’s big and happy. We all laugh and have fun together and are there for each other when it’s difficult too. We have lots of parties and holidays together. Family is the best thing in my life. In this drawing, there is my Gran Nan and even my family pets, some family I couldn’t fit in! I love drawing and people’s faces are funny. I notice small things about people and it makes me smile.
108
Edith, age 9
Oil pastel on sugar paper
This is a picture of the South Downs near where I live. I wanted to show all the colours in the environment but I wanted to make it about the shapes of the fields as well. I really liked using the oil pastels.
109
Collaboration, Heath Mount School, Year 5, age 9
We made our crowd of over 66 clay people having looked at Lowry drawings and paintings and also mini sculptures by Jane Muir and Anthony Gormley.
110
Olive, age 9
Faraway Land
Gouache paint, pencil and pen in sketchbook
At school we had to create an island to inspire us for our writing and I wanted to draw it at home. I drew it in my sketchbook and used the opposite page as a palette to mix the colours. There’s a rollercoaster going around the island, a castle, a lake with the Loch Ness Monster, a treehouse, a forest, a hotdog stand and juice stand, a playground, a football pitch, a trampoline and a bridge going over a swamp.
111
Elia, age 10
The Dancing Magic
Oil pastel
The work is unknown so that means nobody knows what it is like. It could be some dancing people of magic.
112
Elisa, age 10
Giulia
Papier-mâché, acrylic paint, clay and feathers
I wanted to make my sister Giulia because she taught me how to make something out of papier-mâché. I thought about adding the birds when I heard them as I woke up in the morning.
113
Maryam, age 9
Peace Under the Stars
Acrylic paint on canvas
This is my vision of the Kaaba, which is a cubic stone building at the centre of Islam’s most holiest site in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. My dream is to visit one day and this inspired me to paint what I imagine peace to be under the night sky shining full of stars.
114
William, age 9
Scary Drawing
This is a monster from my imagination. His name is Bagels. The words are from my little brother Edward’s reaction.
115
Marina, age 9
The Day She Kissed Me
Paint and pen on paper
I started to use the sponge and I realised it could make kisses. Then I got carried away and my picture got carried away with me.
116
Alicia, age 9
Beach Holiday
Acrylic paint
This painting is inspired by my favourite beach holiday. In 2023, my family and my besties went to Italy and spent time at a fabulous beach. In my painting, my brother Jasper and I are running in the warm sea while my friends are playing in the sand. My mum and dad are lying on sunloungers reading and you can see umbrellas, tents, floats and even an ice-cream stall. I love the ice-creams!
117
Edith, age 9
The Magic Town
Gouache paint and pen
I started by painting the rhino, the person and the hedge. I had no idea that it would turn into a whole town at the start. The Magic Town is loosely based on Headington and the forest above is Shotover, the rest is sort of just made up. I’m probably most proud of the street, there are no roads just canals because I don’t like cars, they stink literally. I like boats much better.
118
Alexandra, age 9
My Visit to the Royal Academy
Monoprint
I took some images when I visited the Royal Academy with my mum and dad. I then made my second monoprint using my images with black ink. I wanted to show the beautiful building with visitors in the summer.
119
Boris, age 9
Jimmy in the U.S.A.
Pencil
Tintin has a lot to answer for, without him there would not be a Jimmy. Jimmy Hillson is a specialist detective from London who travels around the world solving deadly riddles and fighting crime…he is the best!
120
Marlow, age 9
Listening to Jazz and Waiting
Paint pens on paper
I wanted to do an observational drawing of my family with my new paint pens. My parents had to sit still for me for a long time. We listened to jazz at the same time and there was a lot of waiting for the pens to dry to keep the colours clean.
121
Thomas, age 9
Map Battle
Pen on paper
This drawing is called Map Battle. Some of my class mates and I draw maps and then we compete to be the fastest to fill the page with our drawings.
122
Edie, age 9
Relaxing at the Beach
Oil pastel and pencil
Chilling on the beach listening to the waves with a cold summer drink and Easter eggs.
123
Fabio, age 9
Waves at Night
Acrylic paint on canvas
Waves look really beautiful at night as the ocean comes to life.
124
The Lefroy Collective, age 9
The Cooking Show
Stop motion animation
My sister Jessica, our neighbours Rosie and Daisy, and I are The Lefroy Collective. We love making art, performances and music videos together. We spent a whole afternoon making a video called The Cooking Show. We made this using a stop motion app and drew, cut and coloured all 252 pictures together. This short film shows our creativity and friendship.
125
Leo, age 9
Graffiti Me
Acrylic paint, Posca pens and collage on paper
This picture is an expression of some of the things that represent who I am: my love of creative graffiti, my dog Coco (who is not like any other dog I know), my Mexican heritage, my skateboard (I love learning new tricks) and my dyslexia (my super power). It’s a colourful self-portrait of me at 9 and a half years old.
127 Lucius, age 9 Godzilla vs Kong Video
I am fascinated by the Godzilla and Kong world, and for my ninth birthday my mum bought me a stop motion kit. With the help from my dad, I made a video with the toys I got for my birthday. I really enjoy doing this and have started to make more videos.
126
Kyla, age 9
Cat with Sun Ice Cream
Paint sticks on paper
I like cats and I like ice cream. This was a combination of two of my favourite things.
128
Chloe, age 9
Going to School in the Morning
Ink, Chinese paint, raw Xuan paper
The inspiration is from my memory of the village which I’ve grown up in. I loved every morning when Mummy walked me to school. It’s sad that I had to leave the village and say goodbye to all my friends. I really miss them. I’m a Chinese/English mix, I think it’s cool to paint an English village using Chinese painting.
129
Aymen, age 9
Shoes
Coloured pencil
This took me a really long time to draw. I really like drawing and I was inspired by my favourite shoes.
130
Ruby, age 9
Mummy on Her Phone
Drawing
We were staying in the caravan in the holidays. Mummy was on her phone a long time. I was bored and so I drew her. She laughed and said it was a really good picture.
131
Hanan, age 10
An Egyptian Fisherman with a Basket
Charcoal on sugar paper
I was inspired by my learning about Ancient Egypt.
132
Yusra, age 10
Music Expression
Drawing
I chose to draw this because playing the piano makes me happy. I am able to express myself and be free!
133
Ziggy, age 10
I love history, art and architecture. I love making buildings and I love working with clay. I have made many things out of clay—like animals, cups and bowls but never a building. Once day I started making bricks out of terracotta clay, and then using another grey clay to appear as a cement and I made a little house. I loved it and then made more buildings until I had made a whole village this way.
134
age 10
I look out my window after school and when I am bored. I love to see how the world changes around me. I watch the weather and birds and nature and feel happy. The view from my window is mostly buildings, the big blue triangular building is my local pool and on the left is my school. My school is interesting because of the different shades and shapes you can see and how the sun’s reflection can change that.
135 Alex, age 10 Decayed
Pencil on paper
My inspiration for this piece was combining mechanisms of robots and nature to make a sort of run-down overgrown machine.
136
Viviane, age 10
Hear Colour, See Sound
Drawing
I play the piano, and we are learning about Wassily Kandinsky, who could hear colour and see sound. This inspired me to make this piece, with a boy playing the piano, and many colours which are describing what he ‘hears.’
137
Asher, age 10
Mixed media
I do lots of drawings on paper and thought it would be fun to try something different.
138
Sam, age 10
Strange World
Watercolour paint, ink pen and collage
I wanted to make a picture inspired by my school trip to the V&A and an artist called Mirakamis. I like his work because some of his paintings look like a collage. I cut out pictures from magazines that reminded me of the V&A. I spent lots of time arranging them on my bright watercolour background until I was happy with how it looked. I wanted the picture to bring your eyes up the staircase to the top.
139
Matilda, age 10
Oak in Spring
Acrylic paint
I was inspired by a nice field I had seen that had an old house in the background. It was spring time and there was lots of flowers blooming. My art class inspires me to paint more and more.
140
Lucio, age 10
Chester RIP, 2023
Acrylic paint on board
Here’s the last painting I did of my beloved Chester (a hamster) before he died. He was super friendly and would let me hold him when I drew or played games. This is a celebration of him. I have been studying how to paint with artist Rebecca Davy at the weekends, and I used the techniques she taught me on this piece which is acrylic on board.
141
Josephina, age 10
Stormy Sea
Acrylic paint on calico fabric, embroidery threads
I wanted to try painting on fabric and also thought about stitching into the painting. I have been practicing painting more loosely as I felt the expressive brush strokes lent itself to the subject of a stormy sea. I also didn’t mix the colours up fully on my palette to create lots of different tones and hues. I then went on to add detail by stitching into the fabric to add movement to the painting.
142
Alex, age 10
Banana Split
Paint and pencil
I used paint and pencil to create the shadows and outlines. It was interesting creating the shading as I could use a range of colours, like blue, brown and green. I’m very proud of the results.
143 Sophia, age 10
Self-Portrait
Watercolour paint
Why did I paint this self-portrait? I love tie dye because I feel a range of emotions when I see tie dye. The rainbow swirl is how I feel across different thoughts and feelings. Whenever I look at this painting it takes me back to my happy memories.
144
Jack, age 10
Earl Bathurst’s Castle Class GWR Locomotive
Acrylic paint
I chose to paint the Castle class locomotive ‘Earl Bathurst’ because my dad has been on the engine and thought my painting might bring back some happy memories for him. It was built in Swindon Works in May 1936 and was originally named ‘Drysllwyn Castle’ but was renamed in August 1937 to the current name ‘Earl Bathurst’. The painting took me a total of 2 days and I used acrylic paint.
145
Evie, age 10
Momma Bird
Watercolour paint on paper
I chose to paint an owl with two cute babies. I liked the overall effect as I think it’s pretty and the colours worked well. I love the texture that came from using salt on wet watercolour.
146
Stella, age 10
I sketched out the design, painted the background and then the foreground. I wanted to use block colour so it stood out. I painted it for Daddy and he loves it.
147
Mya, age 10
My Mummy and My Step Mummy
Acrylic paint on board
My family means everything to me. This painting is about my mummy and my Step mummy.
148
Emily, age 10
A stop motion animation of Blu Tack dyed green doing various contortions inspired by other stop motions.
149
Collaboration, Marlborough Primary School
Art Club, Year 6, age 10
Map of London
Acrylic paint, crayon and chalk on canvas
Inspired by David Hockney’s works and colours, Art Club KS2 have produced this collaborative and intricate piece, creating a map of London, reinventing its buildings and landmarks.
150
Tanisha, age 10
Skies with Emotion
Mixed media
This piece is inspired by the changing skies and the different emotions they create. The colours of sunset wait for the twinkling stars to arrive. They gradually change the beauty of the skies into colours that warm your heart. As the sun fades, the black shade of the skies appears revealing its natural colours and peaceful sense of remoteness.
151
Iris, age 10
The Hall of Fame
Gouache and marker paint pens
In Granny and Grandad’s garden there is a fat pigeon that bullies the other birds and eats all the bird seed. We call him Henry because he reminds us of Henry the 8th. I decided to draw Henry in Tudor costumes doing different activities. I cut out and painted shiny gold frames and put the pictures in them to look like a fancy gallery.
152
Arthur, age 10
The Slinky
Photograph
I think black and white photographs look really nice so I practised for days. I finally got the perfect shot of the slinky.
155
Haleemah, age 10
When I went to the zoo I saw Egyptian tortoise which inspired me to create this art piece. To make this I used crochet for the tortoise. They are an endangered species so I hope that by making this project it helps people to change their hearts about tortoises and help these endangered species.
154
I thought I had definitely broken my ankle, so I did a drawing.
156
Maz, age 10
Strictly Night
Pen and ink
This is us all in the lounge, watching TV on a Saturday night. My brother and the cat were lying right next to each other in quite similar positions, and my dad was reading the newspaper so I thought it would be cool to see what it would look like in a drawing.
157
Joseph & Eleni, age 10
People
Clay and gold leaf
These are two sculptures we made.
158
Maisie, age 11
Model of a Lady
Papier-mâché, fabric, paint
This model was made as part of a study on human faces that we did at school and how we are all different. She is a lady with long brown hair and green eyes.
159
Joseph, age 11
My Brother
Pencil, fine liner and marker pens
I drew my little brother Ben at my nan’s house after a kickabout in the garden. He was standing watching TV, he was hot and sweaty. I like that I was drawing him just as he was. He’s chunky and wears glasses, not like most footballers. I think I got what it feels like after a game –and coming in for a break and a breather.
160
Amirah, age 11
Egyptian Fisherman Carrying a Basket
Charcoal on sugar paper
I was inspired to draw someone from my class. I like that they are looking at something away from the page.
161
Charlotte, age 11
Blizzard
Acrylic paint on wooden board
I love wolves so I decided to paint a wolf in its natural environment. It is painted in a snowy birch forest in Northern Europe at dawn.
162
Timath, age 11
Work Hard
Pencil,
I drew this after watching the Jurassic Park movie.
163
Netta, age 11
Colour on the Outside
Pen and ink on paper
I saw a painting in the National Portrait Gallery’s Windrush Room of a man blending into the background made of black and white tape. I was amazed by this painting and wanted to create my own portrait in colour using the same idea of blending in. I also wanted it to be framed in a bold guilt frame like the important painting have.
164
May, age 11
The Abandoned Trash Can
Paint
This artwork is about my trash can from my old house. I remember I haven’t used it in a year, so I imagined it in a forest, and mould on the tree as my trash can.
165
Zachary, age 11
Cut
Acrylic paint on canvas
After visiting a show of Hurvin Anderson paintings that depicted Barber shops I wanted to put myself in the picture having my hair cut. My father took multiple photographs and I chose the one where hair was directly pulled across my face which felt the most dramatic.
166
Giulia, age 11
Giggles in the Breeze
Fabric, pen and acrylic paint on canvas
I sewed these fabric ‘giggles’ with my sewing machine for a Year 6 fundraiser but nobody bought them so I decided to give them a second chance and turned them into an artwork. My artwork is about feeling free and floating on the breeze. It makes me feel happy because the ‘giggles’ are all in harmony, floating in the same direction.
167
Robinson, age 11
Cricket
Drawing
I drew this piece in honour of my grandpa, John, who sadly passed away recently, and to his love of cricket. A few of his last words described his regret of not being able to teach my younger brother, Louis, how to play therefore I felt the need to honour him with this piece of work.
168
Etta, age 11
Hair
Photograph
I looked at the hairs on different areas of my body using a digital microscope. The hairs looked strange and unexpected. A tiny cut on my leg had a hair right in the middle of it and the cut and the hair looked huge. I didn’t realise I had so many hairs in my nostril and I think I found some kind of green alien in the hair on my scalp.
169
Opal, age 11
Power Trio
Watercolour and acrylic paint on canvas
I painted Jeffrey Bezos, Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg because I wanted to bring attention and awareness to some of the most influential and richest people on the planet. I want people, when they look at my picture, to question how and why they got into power.
170
Julian, age 11
Purrfect Pose
Acrylic paint on canvas
The sofa is Sally’s special spot. She looks like a queen, all calm and cool, with her eyes saying, ‘Welcome to my world.’ I painted her fur with soft colours, making it shine in the light. This painting is all about how much I love my cat Sally and how she’s always there for me, making our home cosy and warm.
171
Benjamin, age 11
City on the Coast
Drawing
I have always had a passion for pencil drawing and Gothic architecture. This piece combines both those passions. The city is on a steep cliff overlooking the sea, which reminds me of Robin Hood’s Bay in Yorkshire. I enjoyed creating this sketch and hope others enjoy it too.
172
Elizabeth, age 11
Louis Around the Fruit Bowl
Watercolour paint, gouache, pen and ink
My painting is of my pet snake Louis. He is a royal python and he is 14 years old. I get him out of his tank when I am drawing and sketching. I have a ‘Louis diary’ with lots of photographs and details of how I look after him. My painting was inspired by a photograph I took of him wrapped around our fruit bowl on the kitchen table while I was doing my homework.
173
Hansaka, age 11
Sea Life
Sculpture
Sea-creature made from recycled plastic.
174
Blossom, age 11
Me and My Best Friend
Monoprint
It’s a monoprint of my best friend, Cooper, who I have known for 6 years.
175
Xavier, age 11
Hanging Out at ASDA
Watercolour and pencil crayon
Inspired by my lesson on a bird’s eye view, I used Google Maps to look around my local area for places that I enjoyed spending time. I transferred many of the basic shapes from my map of ASDA. I like hanging out at the café with Grandma. I altered some of the colours and big shapes and included the car park.
176
Seth, age 11
Out of the Frying Pan
Acrylic paint on canvas
I have a fun sense of humour and an egg being flipped is an unusual concept. As well as this I enjoy drawing realistic things but creating it from my imagination. For example, the movement and shading of the egg was what I wanted to do but I had to create an image from my mind instead of drawing what was in front of me. I took inspiration from Old Dutch Masters, and their dark backgrounds with food.
177
Folu, age 11
Hamlet
Mixed media
I was inspired by the renowned play Hamlet and decided to step out of my comfort zone and make this.
179 Tilly, age 11
Obsessed Paint
I wanted to draw something that has a deeper meaning. People are so obsessed with social media and their phones and care a lot about how many ‘likes’ they get. I wanted to make my art about how people should care more about enjoying life and less about what is on their phones.
178
Aaliyah, age 11
The Creative Lady
Collage
I chose this name because all the different things that are exploding out of her mind are her ideas for new pieces of art. It was inspired by a book called Oscar Seeks a Friend followed by a painting I once saw when I was looking for inspiration at home.
180
Junichi, age 11
My Dad
Oil paint on canvas
This is my dad, I painted his portrait because I wanted to show him how much I appreciate him always being there for me.
181
Habibah, age 11
Hope in Devastation
Collage, watercolour paint, pencil, tissue paper, tape, and textured material
Inspired by Anselm Kiefer talking about how although the world decays or is destroyed there is always a chance for renewal and rebirth. I love how he layers different materials and puts so much time and effort into his unique work. I decided to make a mixed media piece of art and I used a variety of materials and images, building up the image gradually.
182
Rosa, age 11
Simple Struggles
Watercolour paint and pencil
This is about how for a non-binary person, or anyone gender queer or trans person going to the loo or another gender activity can be a struggle, choosing between male or female. This piece is about a young non-binary person deciding which school toilet to use.
183 Ruby, age 11
Me
Coloured pencils
I created this artwork about a year ago when my mum accidentally took a photo of me whilst my eyes were closed. I was inspired by the image and decided to recreate it but chose bright colours in the style of Andy Warhol to express my creativity. It was satisfying to see the drawing take shape and I was very happy with the end result.
184
Alex, age 11
Myths of Me
Oil paint
I drew this because in the world there are loads of myths that are unknown.
185
Pip, age 11
Still Life
Paint
Pip drew this beautiful still life inspired by the artist Nullsie. I love how busy it is.
186
Evangeline, age 11
Loving My Bike
Drawing
I love cycling on my mountain bike and the rails I am on are magical!
187
Izaan, age 12
In Memory of Zephaniah
Soft pastel on brown paper
I have created this piece in the memory of Benjamin Zephaniah as we have been learning about him in school. I am inspired by his poem The British as there is a lot of diversity in Britain and everybody should be respected.
188
Freya, age 12
Mr Pigeon
Block paint on paper
I was inspired by WWI carrier pigeons that saved thousands of lives with their resilience and determination. They would keep going even when wounded as they flew across the battlefields. As the enemy shot at them they would keep going to deliver their message.
189
Jackson, age 12
Contemplation
Clay
I was inspired to make this when I wrapped a present with ribbon. I was amazed by its qualities and its ability to twist and turn.
190
Sophia, age 12
One Step at a Time
Acrylic paint
I was inspired by Vincent Van Gogh’s Shoes, 1886, as it symbolised his emotions expressed at the time. His painting is melancholy and I was inspired to express my journeys travelled in the metaphor of bold-red Converse shoes. Representing my character, these shoes symbolise how I walk through life’s struggles with a contented personality.
191
Giulia, age 12
Criceto Vitruviano
Ink and coffee on paper
Criceto Vitruviano (Vitruvian Hamster in Italian) inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man. The big circle behind the hamster, that is connected to the square, reminded me of a hamster wheel.
192
Laurel, age 12
Ralf
Acrylic paint on canvas
This is a painting of my best friend, my dog Ralf!
193
Alice, age 12
Morisot Me
Gouache on card
After a recent visit to see a Berthe Morisot exhibition, I felt inspired by her emphasised brush strokes, so I returned home and painted a self-portrait using her impressionist technique.
194
Betty, age 12
Guess Who
Coloured pencil on paper
I have chosen to draw the judges of this year’s RA Summer Exhibition for my piece. I was inspired by the photo booth picture layout. I really enjoyed creating this piece as it captures the original facial features and expressions on the judge’s faces. My parents often say I have a good eye when it comes to caricature and portraiture, hopefully you will recognise yourselves in the picture!
195 Billy, age 12
My Window
Pencil on paper
An artwork about my backyard in the morning sketched out with pencil. I did this because I like the view from my window.
Watercolour paint
In this artwork I painted a portrait of me and my sisters, because of how different we are, but are still family.
197
Elowen, age 12
Eyeball Sushi
Polymer clay, paper, card, acrylic paint and found objects
I created this work after imagining what might be on the menu in a vampire café. I substituted soy sauce for blood. The seaweed is made using acrylic paint on crumpled cartridge paper, giving it a shiny effect. The eyeballs are made from polymer clay and the veins are wool. I was inspired by the artist Lindsey Mendick and my sculpture is an exploration of anatomy through surrealism.
198
Hector, age 12
Labyrinth
Drawing
I’ve called my artwork Labyrinth because it’s a complex maze of pen strokes. I’m intrigued by detailed drawings and I enjoy getting lost.
199 Matthew, age 12
Abstract Train
Coloured pencil on paper
This is a drawing of a train. Trains are my favourite things and I love to go and watch them when I can. I like electric trains the best.
200
Henry, age 12
A Shrine to Jurgen
Pen and ink on paper, gold and silver leaf on cardboard
I wanted to make a shrine for my football hero, Jurgen Klopp. I love football. I love playing football, watching football, and I love Liverpool FC. When Jurgen Klopp said he was leaving Liverpool, I wanted to make something that celebrated how brilliant he is. Farewell Jurgen!
201
Marly, age 12
On the Prowl
Ink and charcoal on paper
I used a stick to draw with, it helped to keep it loose and scratchy.
203
Saoirse Wren, age 12
Atropa Belladonna
Recycled sea plastic
Atropa belladonna is the Latin name for deadly nightshade. This recycled-plastic sculpture tells the sad story of plastic bags which are mistaken for jellyfish by sea turtles, which eat them. I wish to showcase this and send a message to help stop deaths to sea life. To create the piece, I collected washed-up plastic from Brighton beaches and crocheted it into the jellyfish.
202
Luca, age 12
My Leg
Sculpture
I got the idea for my piece from a SpongeBob running gag.
204
Zachary, age 12
It’s a Pipe
Hazel wood and leather
I like pipes. I like hobbits. I saw a pipe made from a piece of cherry and thought I could make one using what materials I could find. I made this pipe from one piece of hazel by carving it with my penknife then drilling it out on Grandad’s lathe.
205 Eva, age 13
Alien Plant
Acrylic paint
This is an acrylic painting of my mum’s cactus. The stems look like hair. I used a Zentangle pattern technique for the background and was inspired by Yayoi Kusama’s patterns for the pot details.
207 Daisy, age 13 Serena
Watersoluble carbon block on canvas
This is a portrait of my cousin. Her birthday was coming up so my mum and I were looking through old photo albums from when she was a child. The complementary colours and perspective of this photo interested me and I instantly pictured drawing it. I used an orange watersoluble carbon block and a grid for proportions.
206 Elizabeth, age 13
Seascape
Lino print
My piece captures a family memory of us standing in the water gazing out to sea.
208 Kitty, age 13
Self-Portrait
Acrylic paint on paper
This is a self-portrait I painted at a half term art workshop.
209
Collaboration, Wright Robinson College, Key Stage 3, age 13
KS3 - Community Quilt
Watercolour paint and pencil crayon
As part of the school annual Culture Day celebrations, all students in years 7–9 created a piece of the community quilt. Students based the patterns upon their own culture. These are displayed together to represent the diverse community within our school that celebrates the individual, but represents us as a team.
210
Skylar, age 13
Victor Victoria
Photograph
Transitioning at 10 years old, I have always aspired to be a beautiful girl. I love to apply dramatic makeup and style my hair. I adore ‘Ru Paul’s Drag Race’ and Lawrence Chaney is my hero. My presentation has been a challenge for my parents and peers. I have changed schools on numerous occasions. My current school accepts me simply as myself, without the need to justify or confirm other people’s concerns. I now identify as happy.
211
Albert and Raphael, age 13
Poshafalgar Square
Pen and pencil drawing on paper with collage
We really like making art together – we each do half and we talk while we draw. This is a town square where a lot of big global chains are unhappy that a small family bakery is stealing all their customers. We glued in the people, clouds, speech bubbles, and the two corner stores, which gives our drawing texture. We hope you like all the details and characters in our drawing!
212 Alba, age 13
Aunt Julie
Clay, wire and acrylic paint with glaze
The brief was to create a characterful portrait of a family member. I chose my bohemian and quirky Aunt Julie for her ‘larger than life’ persona. She has a large wig and vintage clothing collection and you never quite know what she’s going to look like the next time you see her, but she is always dressed for the occasion. I hope my portrait conveys her big personality and free spirit!
213
Dusty, age 13
Dried Out Bones
Acrylic paint on canvas
This painting expresses the feeling of emptiness and not being able to show your true emotions. It was made using acrylic on canvas with a gouache technique.
215
Noah, age 13 Regeneration
Clay and driftwood
Regeneration is influenced by sea pollution and the regeneration of nature. I live on the Gower coast and surf regularly. Over the last two years the beach has been closed on numerous occasions because of sewage overflow and pollution. I wanted to show the beauty and diversity of sea life and the hope that if we stop polluting the sea, that life can return and even grow on detritus floating in the sea.
214
Michael, age 13
Mr Swiss Cheese
Pen
I find it easier to relay a message through comedy and comics. Children can be unkind and not see the impact of words on others. Mr Swiss Cheese is a representation of those imperfections, whether they are the bully or the victim. It is a message for both sides. It you give each other a chance, then there will be less hurt in the world. This can be applied globally for race, religion, nationality and disabilities.
216
Riley, age 13
Looking at Me
Pen and ink
I drew my reflection on the mirror with one eye closed. I used a fine liner as I looked at myself and highlighted the details in my face. Then I used the drawing on the mirror as an original stamp and transferred this onto paper with acetone. I further experimented with layering by tracing the drawing. I moved my tracing to line up with my reflection from my other eye.
217
Angus, age 13
Morgan Freeman
Charcoal, graphite, white gel pen, and fine liner pen
I am inspired by, and admire, Morgan Freeman. I was drawn to the amount of well defined, exquisite skin textures and wrinkles. Each line narrates a chapter in his life, reflecting his experiences. In a world where old age is often equated with frailty and weakness, Freeman defies this, standing as a beacon of dignity and wisdom, in the face of weakness.
218
Amelia, age 13
The Road Back Home
Paint
I decided to paint this image of my brother because he means the world to me. Though we do argue, I can’t imagine my life without him. This particular image was taken at a time when we were all tired and heading back home, the light from the sun perfectly shining on his face contrasted beautifully with the darkness of the car and the surroundings. It brings back fond memories.
219
Ho-Yan (Daniel), age 13 Collage of Me Collage
A bunch of me with a bunch of silly faces. Made for fun and shows my progression in the field of art profession. Very fun doing this artwork!
220
Isobel, age 13
My Neon Lights Disco Birthday Party
Marker pens and thread on cotton fabric
This is a picture of me and my friends dancing in the neon lights at my birthday party. We had neon paint on our faces and arms, which glowed weird colours in the ultraviolet light. This was our last party together before we all got split up and went to four different high schools. I don’t see my friends much now, so this is a very happy memory. I used bright markers and stitched over the top in thread.
221
Zichen, age 13
The Outside World
Acrylic paint on paper
The outside seems more fun.
222
Christa, age 13
Sushi Woman
Pencil on paper
I found images from magazines and collaged two completely opposite images together. Then I drew them with pencil. I took my inspiration from surrealism.
223
Fatma, age 13
Knowledge
Oil pastel on paper
I wanted to create an empowered self-portrait as part of my identity project—I was inspired by the powerful portraits by Shepard Fairey.
224
Andreea, age 13
My Mother Hates Cats
Clay, wire and acrylic paint with glaze
This piece is a sculpture of my mum and cat, Poppy. I created this piece because my mum always says that she hates cats and never wanted one. But in reality, she loves her as if she was her child. I tried to show this in a playful way through making her and Poppy as one. I personally like this sculpture because I feel like I was able to capture the essence of my mum and my cat.
225
Kian, age 14
School Days
Monoprint
School days.
226
Leah, age 14
Belonging
Acrylic paint and pencil on paper
I have chosen this piece as this photograph is special to me and shows a part of me. I love to play football with my friends and this picture represents friendships within. This piece represents my hobbies and being a part of a team I feel comfortable in.
227
Eunice, age 14
It’s Me
Paper, ready-mix paint, plaster
Eunice made this collage from monoprints using paper and monoprints on plaster. When asked what she wanted to call this artwork, Eunice pointed to different parts and said ‘It’s me!’.
228
Daisy, age 14
Charcoal and oil pastel on paper
I chose to draw this picture because horses are my favourite animal. I also love yellow daffodils. This picture makes me feel happy. I love the technique I used, combining charcoal and oil pastels on my paper.
229
Maximus, age 14
Cornflowers
Acrylic paint on wooden board
Max is Autistic with Tourettes. Since he was very young he has found in painting a great relief if he is feeling disregulated, uncomfortable or overwhelmed. For this painting he mixed colours and created layers and arches ending with the green-stemmed blue flowers. I asked Max what he’d like to call the painting and he said to me ‘Blue Flowers’ and I said ‘They look like cornflowers!’
230
Anna, age 14
The Underground Drawing
I recently flew back to China for the first time since the lockdown, and the first thing I was struck with was the sheer number of people. I tried to capture the lively yet claustrophobic effect, the overwhelming foreignness of the return, and the vibrant lives of very different strangers unified under the anonymity of the crowd.
231
Daniel, age 14
Self-Portrait
Acrylic paint on canvas
The bold shadows and daring brush strokes, in my opinion, bring this acrylic self-portrait to life, in order to capture a powerful likeness of myself. The process of creating this piece was also interesting, as I was not sure what direction I wanted to take the piece in and so the painting went through a variety of different styles, before landing on this one.
232
Zoe, age 14 Childhood
Acrylic paint on paper
I wanted to paint a piece that represents something so this is about how we remember our childhoods and the proud feeling of having your early art work celebrated.
233
Amelka, age 14
Moses
Acrylic paint on canvas
I really wanted to show the power that Moses had as he parted the Red Sea. I can only try to image me in the crowd, a cold, salty gust of wind on my face as the glorious ocean rises before me and the feelings of amazement and fear freezing me in my tracks. But I can also see this small man with his staff and robe as these grand waves part on his command, and I believe.
234
Natasha, age 14
The Beautiful Disregarded
Pen on paper
I chose to draw a weed using biro to show the different, interesting, and beautiful textures and patterns found on something so often disregarded. My curiosity piqued, I was intrigued: how many objects of beauty do we throw away in our lives as ugly or useless? Using biro means that the piece is solely focused on forms, shapes and shading of the plant, leaving it in monochrome, revealing a beauty different from any coloured piece.
235
Dulcima, age 14
A Stressful Dog-Walk
Acrylic paint on canvas
As a dog lover, I wanted to portray the everyday scene of walking my dog with the trials and tribulations. I was further inspired by the work of visual artist Gary Bunt, as I wanted to capture my dog in the same wholesome style the artist applies in his own work.
236
Micha, age 14
Self-Portrait
Graphite on paper
My portrait has been done in a highly detailed manner to show my intelligent, specific and precise personality in everything I do.
237
Rowan, age 14
Cardboard and plastic models
Based on my Year 10 painting project, I created a surreal diorama built on a small cable drum.
239
Andreas, age 14 City Life
Plaster and tissue paper
I am very happy with my work. The wrinkles on the plaster blocks and shadows add effect. I overlapped the images with the tissue paper to represent the complexity of every day struggles in life. I used road signage and figures I created which link back to my previous projects in art. I’m inspired by the artwork of Thomas Allen as he puts people in scenarios and unusual positions.
238
Adriano, age 14
Self-Portrait
Pencil
I made this drawing to learn and gain a deeper understanding of tonal drawings with nothing but a 2B pencil. I used a grid to make sure that all the proportions were correct before I started to apply tones. I am pleased with the lighter side of my face as it has a lot more defined detail, creating a more 3D look.
240
Mahdia, age 14 Reflected
Pencil
Mirror, mirror on the wall who is the fairest? We see our reflection everywhere all the time. Imagine a world without mirrors or even reflected surfaces. This selfportrait uses a mirror’s reflection to capture multiple angles of my face.
241
Grigory, age 14
Brighton Night Foxtrot
Acrylic paint on canvas
Every night a fox comes to my backyard. Sometimes the fox climbs onto the roof of a neighboring house (maybe the fox is hunting gulls). I am interested in neuroscience and music, and began to train the fox to come to the sounds of a pipe. The fox is making progress. I believe that one day I will teach the fox to dance a foxtrot. It sounds like the most appropriate dance for the situation!
242
Ares
Monoprint
The image subject is my cousin’s dog and shows how happy he was after he found this branch. I wanted to immortalise him in a moment when he was happy, I think every pet owner would like to do this!
243 Molly, age 15 Still Searching
Photograph
I think the pier sign was a good choice to layer on top because of its relevance to the photo. There could be a lot of story and context behind this image because of the words layered on top. It has a sense of irony in it because the message reads ‘Iris Brown .... is still searching for her sun hat in the sea’.
244 Felix, age 15 Huts
Photograph
In this photo, I changed the colouration to black and white. I like this photo as it looks vintage and old. The huts look cold from the colouring on the photo.
245
Malachi, age 15
Decaying Arts
Watercolour and acrylic paint
During a summer camping trip to Cromer, a fishing town along the North Norfolk coast. I was excited when I saw a fishing boat coming to shore and I ran to meet them to get some photographs. They were friendly and keen to help. I loved the lighting and colours that blended with the coastal surroundings. Each fisherman, I’m sure, with a story to tell. This is an art and passion in itself.
246
Katie, age 15
Oil paint on paper
This is a picture of my friend Sonya. I took the photo when we were on holiday together and I decided that I wanted to create an oil painting from the photo. The sunset on the sea lit her face up so beautifully that I felt that I just had to keep the moment. I hope it conveys the fun and joy that I felt when I took this photo.
247 Mia, age 15
Percy Pig
Needle felting
I got inspiration from farm animals – I like the different shades of pink. I used needle felt.
248
Callum, age 15
The Building of Lincoln St Christopher’s Secondary School
Pencil and watercolour pencil
We have all been watching the progress on our large building project. By August 2024 the building work will have finished. I have been amazed by the progress and love watching all the changes happen. This picture is of one of the final stages of completing the outside of the building. I am really excited for when we can see the inside and move in!
249
Lino print on paper
A summer smile.
paper
I have created a painting of my favourite football player. I love Messi because he is a good goal scorer. He is the team captain and plays for Inter Miami and Argentina.
251
Oil paint on canvas
This portrait aims to capture the inspiring and compassionate personality of my friend, who makes each day brighter.
I made this map because I want people to take a journey through my drawing and feel like it is a real place. The map is of an island called Titania. Titania is full of biodiversity with different seasons and a varied climate. There are roads and cities and in the centre of the island there is big lake.
253
Aurelia, age 15
My Little Duck Friend
I have created a clay duck due to the fact that I am extremely fond of them. I have been drawing and painting ducks a lot in the past year because it brings me joy. I had a lot of fun making this because I love ducks so much and I’m glad I could visualise something that I love so much.
254
Nicole, age 15
Let Them In
A ceramic pot that shows the desperation of refugees who try to cross the channel in unreliable boats. Hands reach out from the pot as the waves crash down on them.
255
KABAN, age 15
The Meerkat
Oil paint on canvas
A lone meerkat looks over his shoulder. His paranoia eats at him.
256
Nukunu, age 16
My World
Digital photograph
This self-portrait was based on the topic of ‘my world’, and my Ghanaian heritage.
257
Matthew, age 16
Janus
Oil paint
I folded a head out of yellow paper based on the head statues on Easter Island, which I photographed and turned into an oil painting.
258
Anthony, age 16
Collaborative Painting
Paper, ready-mix paint, PVA glue, salt, dirt
This painting was once a part of a much larger painting that Anthony created alongside his peers on the floor of our classroom. The painting was so big, it had to be carried outside and left in the garden (you can still see some of the dirt). But it was rained on and, whilst being taken back inside, Anthony’s small corner was accidently ripped off.
259 Paul, age 16
The Artwork of the Head of the Table
Mixed media
If you want to look at it, it has the clay under it. But it has tissue, and if you try to rip it, it might get turned into pieces. So you don’t want to rip it!
260
Apryl, age 16
Untitled
Acrylic paint on canvas
In this monochromatic painting my friend is singing their favourite song – through the painting I wanted to emphasise the power music has over us and how it has the power to transport our mind and induce calmness and happiness.
261
Noah, age 16
Burning Shadows
Oil paint on wood
This painting means a lot to me as my dad had brought home some slabs of wood for me to paint on. To show my appreciation, I spent 3 hours making this painting for him. It is the only painting I have made that my dad has liked, and this has made me very proud of it.
262
Beatrice, age 16
Fromage
Stoneware clay, glazes
The theme for my GCSE Art is Edible. I was inspired by the oozing forms and textures of cheese and wanted to try and capture them in clay. The glazes I used are homemade and after lots of testing I managed to get them all to work to give me the right colour, texture and mouldiness I was after.
263
Giles, age 16
and
Acrylic paint on card
This painting evolved after a chance encounter with Gary Hume’s portrait of Francis Bacon. I was interested in the theme of artists depicting artists, and doing this myself with varying degrees of interpretation, abstraction and accuracy.
264
Iris, age 16
Father Figure
Mixed media
The aim behind my piece was to express how gender expectations differ through the generations. I wanted to question male conformity through my use of contrasting colours and media. I drew my dad surrounded by soft pinks and yellows. Does he look out of place? I deliberately chose to combine colours typically associated with femininity with the serious expression and pose of the male figure treated with sharp graphite marks. I also wished to create a contrast of mood.
265
Amber, age 16
Lights on Inside
Oil pastel
This oil pastel is inspired by a walk along Ouseburn River in January. Despite the coldness of the winter, I felt as though the ‘lights on inside’ created a great sense of warmth within me. The piece is a hopeful piece about finding your ‘warmth’ and taking comfort in it.
266
Sam, age 16
The Joes
Acrylic paint
My brother Joe is the centre of humour in my house, his comedic personality is uncontainable and vivid. I wanted to paint a collection of various ‘mugs’ (goofy photos) of him doing what he does best, gurning, pulling funny faces, just clowning around, to share that comical slice of his personality that I love. I wanted the audience to experience a few of his ridiculous (and equally entertaining) antics too.
267
Natalie, age 16
We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Lake
Charity shop reproduction painting with acrylic additions
A tranquil setting interrupted by the reckless shark from the movie Jaws.
268 Isabel, age 16
Ladder Attic
Charcoal, coloured chalk, spay paint on paper
An exploration of fragments through architecture and seeing into other spaces.
269
Elias, age 16
Mixed media
This piece is a recreation of a section of Seven Sisters Road in London. I imagined the environment giving us positive affirmations. The graffiti across all the shop fronts says ‘Hope is our superpower’. I also added scaled-down posters that I designed. These posters also talk about love and peace.
270
Thomas, age 17
Clay
WATCH OUT! DONT SLIP! Just a friendly banana peel looking for friends. I promise he’s a good guy unless your name is Mario.
271
Tahira, age 17
My relationships with my twin sister and best friend form an integral part of my identity. Inspired by Grayson Perry, I have depicted some of the most significant memories I’ve shared with these people. I hope this artwork conveys my feelings on the importance of friendship and how these bonds contribute to the development of who we are.
272
Gabriel, age 17
Raw and Cooked
Photograph
What captured my eye was the particular lighting from each butcher store, for the light with red covering shines and reflects upon the pinkish-electric crimson red meat that hangs by a hook. Whilst on the left side, there hangs various sorts of roasted meat with aged yellow lighting that dangles and reflects upon the shimmering oily roast.
273
Isabel, age 17
Agoraphobic
Gouache
Isabel explores the mental health condition agoraphobia – a fear of leaving the house often associated with panic disorder. Her personal experience inspired this piece. The room was painted from a birds eye view to highlight how trapped being stuck inside can feel. A contrasting cool gloomy room and saturated yellows outside the window was a deliberate choice to emphasise a disconnect from the outside world and the longing to leave.
274
Martha, age 17
Delicate Rites
Clay
This altar references witchcraft rituals and hundreds of years of women’s suppression beneath religious stereotypes. Each votive ritual within my altar is created by me, to appear personable and unique to its creator. Using wire, ceramics, lace, lino prints, lustre, beads and many more found, layered objects to tell a magical story of sacrifice.
275
Maya, age 17
Breaking the Mould
Prismacolour pencils, gold acrylic paint, oak veneer wood
This realism diptych encompasses a celebration, communication and enlightenment of the challenges faced by diverse minorities and marginalised members of society: an element that I have always considered to be profoundly impactful. This piece was fundamentally inspired by my subject models who I worked with both artistically and physically.
276 Ria, age 17
Looking Back
Oil paint on canvas
This piece is based on memories of my family whilst at home, reflecting on the past and our relationships. I wanted to explore the impact of atmosphere created through colour which led to the narrow range of colours in the painting.
277
Amaani, age 17
The Gathering
Oil paint on paper
This piece is inspired by spiritual gatherings held amongst close ones, depicting the intimate moments of a family amidst silent prayer. It captures the essence of seeking purity and cleansing of both the mind and soul.
278
Ruby, age 17
Little Me
Oil paint on canvas paper
This painting is a self-portrait of myself in 2009. This piece holds a personal meaning to me as it symbolises a significant period in my life before I started experiencing mental health issues. I spent time focusing on the realistic elements, specifically the eyes, to portray that, in a way, I am still the same person. It’s a visual representation of the changes I have undergone mentally and physically over time.
279
Eve, age 17
Submerge
Watercolour paint on paper
I’m often symbolic in my work. This was made during a time I was feeling unsure of my identity and like I was constantly camouflaging and morphing myself to suit others’ expectations and preferences. I believe this piece is representative of my feelings at the time.
280
Thea, age 17
Visual Barriers
Acrylic paint on board
In this piece I sought to explore the barriers created by visual impairment. The bright and unnatural colours elicit confusion, leaving the viewer feeling detached from reality. The holes drilled into the board both withhold information and act as a braille description of the composition, adding a tactility to the piece.
281
Natania, age 17
Crumbling Childhoods
Acrylic, watercolour and oil paint
My aim in creating this piece was to highlight how wars steal the innocence of children as they are often the most vulnerable victims. In this painting, I wanted to show the impact of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, by using familiar childhood imagery to juxtapose against the rubble, to prompt viewers to confront the unsettling reality that often goes ignored.
282
Thomas, age 17
Prospect Cottage
Tetra Pak etching on paper
This is an Intaglio print using a piece of discarded material as an etching plate. The choice of material was to emphasise the wasteland nature of the location, a desolate landscape strewn with detritus. I found this place to be inspiring and understand why Derek Jarman relocated here, living in Prospect Cottage as seen in this print.
283
Finn, age 17
Scaffolding Tetra Pak
Tetra Pak on paper
This is a print of a building under renovation in Sestriere, Italy. It was done by cutting and peeling on the inside surface of a milk carton (Tetra Pak) and printed with a press.
284 Izzy, age 17
Tolerating February Seaside
Acrylic paint on paper
This painting is a self-portrait from a trip to Hunstanton beach in February. It was bitterly cold and I remember loathing every second, the wind battering my face. My artwork captures my momentary disgruntlement and immortalises it, a humorous reminder that feelings are only fleeting. I look at this painting, this version of myself, with fondness, nostalgia, and considerable empathy for tolerating the British coast.
285
Ibadat, age 17
Self-Portrait with Parrots
Gouache and gold foil on paper
This painting is of myself with some of the birds I worked with at the zoo. Birds make up a large part of who I am – I have a love for every kind, from the common pigeon, to African Greys. I have been inspired to include gold foil accents by my favourite artist Bahman. This is my annual self-portrait, which I created as the clock struck midnight, for the start of 2024.
286
Charley, age 17
John Paul Baines
Acrylic paint on canvas
I wanted to display the surreal nature of Dad’s life and actualise his battle to the surface of the canvas, creating a conversation that responds to issues such as mental illness and addiction, often trapped in domestic darkness. Honouring him in a manner of unrelenting disobedience, my work is a rebellious manifesto to a society that wants to eradicate ‘these issues’ but not take the time to see the humans at the brunt of the battle.
287
I. Davies, age 17
Sunset Through the Trees
Acrylic paint on canvas
Created in acrylic, using brushes and a palette knife to apply and remove the paint, this is an interpretation of the backlit trees as the sun sets.
288
Teodora, age 18
An Angel of Virtuosity
Oil paint on canvas
This is a painting of Caravaggio being threatened by an angel with a paintbrush, symbolsing his tormented life and immoral decisions, and posing the question of whether artists deserve fame despite having committed wrongdoings. Study of Caravaggio’s technique, including chiaroscuro, alongside religious and violent imagery.
289
Alex, age 18
Is This It?
Oil paint
Two characters, one with scissors and the other getting a haircut. Homage to a baroque, idealised life.
291
Kyra, age 18
Absence
Oil paint, acrylic paint and image transfer
This painting depicts my close friend Amira’s living room, focusing primarily on her sofa. I wanted to explore the role objects can have in representing a person and their experiences. The creases and folds left in her absence show the physical imprint she has left on the environment as well as signifying the memories forged within it.
290
Mary, age 18
Michael
Acrylic paint on canvas
This is from a series of paintings of people who are incredibly close to me. Painting portraits of the people I know well gives them a more intimate value to me, to the painting and the person painted.
292
Manav, age 18
Planets
Acrylic paint on canvas
Manav has autism and learning and communication difficulties. He will repeat the last words you spoke to him. Manav enjoys his creative arts sessions and works independently. This painting was inspired by a picture book of planets opened in front of him.
293
Maisy, age 18
The Second Sex
Oil paint
This large self-portrait is a portrayal of female empowerment and the glamour of a 1920’s Flapper breaking free of restrictions put on her by a masculine dominated society. I included Simone de Beauvoir’s Feminist book ‘The Second Sex’ (1946). The coloured lighting is influenced by society painter Ambrose McEvoy. I enjoy this loose style of painting.
294
Bradley, age 18
Forgotten Faces
Mixed media
Memories. Faces. People. All linking together, teaching us how the brain works, and how we remember those who we have seen, yet, we can never really determine what something really looks like through our thoughts.
295
Matilda, age 18
Hedgerow
Graphite drawing on paper
My main drawing is just of a corner, a hedgerow. If you walked past it, it would be unassuming and unimportant, but by dedicating this drawing to it I can show you how spectacular it is, so it, and all the other corners, become important to you. I encourage you to look after our ecosystems positively instead of showcasing our destructive impact.
296
Archie, age 18
Sleeping
Pencil
This pencil drawing of my close friends asleep together took inspiration from the work of Lucian Freud’s sleeping poses, Andrew Wyeth’s observational drawings, Gwen John’s close range of tones and John Singer Sargent’s dark backgrounds. I aimed to portray a feeling of intimacy and trust as well as a strong sense of security having come to the end of our school journey. As a close-knit group, and having shared many experiences, I wanted to illustrate our mutual comfort and support.
297
Ambra, age 18
Twiggie
Oil paint on canvas
This painting is an unconventional portrait of my friend Twiggie. I wanted to explore how young queer people use clothes as a form of self expression and how it’s often easier to understand who they are and how they experience the world by their clothes rather than their face. I chose the boots because we thought it represented Twiggie’s personality and because of the historical link between queer people and cowboys.
298
Madlen, age 18
Slinky and Nansi
Digital image
I took this photo of my rescue lurchers as part of my photoshoot titled Gotcha Day. Through this image, I wanted to demonstrate their adoption journey and how crucial it is to save dogs in shelters and give them a second chance of finding a loving home. When we first rescued them, they were timid and did not trust anyone. However, with a lot of love and care, this image shows how comfortable they now are in our family.
299
Flynn, age 18
Breakneck Blues
Oil paint on wood
This is a painting that reflects how painful life experiences and frail states of mind can feel like falling. It explores the loss of control, the idea of feeling exposed in a vast world that you feel like you have been dropped into, always landing on your head.
301
Vydika, age 18
The Mourning of the Mother Tongue
Oil paint on canvas
As a result of colonialism a vast amount of my mother tongue, Telugu, has been lost and replaced with English vocabulary. My painting explores this impact on the quality of our interactions with family and country of origin and the disappearance of language, culture, communication and relationships. I aim to convey the idea that language is crucial for the survival of our traditions and relations
302
Matthew, age 18
Ukraine Inside Out
Acrylic paint
Inspired by the scale of destruction of Mariupol.
303
Lara, age 18
What Are You Looking At?
Photograph
This image was taken in South Beach, Miami. The tableau style composition looks as if the photograph is staged, yet the positioning of all the different characters in the photograph was serendipitous. This photograph is part of my ongoing project ‘Smiles and Frowns’, in which I document different strangers who become subjects for a wider view of society and how we act.
304
Dellen, age 18
Solitude
Graphite pencil on paper
This is a drawing of my sister, Tegen. It intends to highlight the feeling of being cut off or isolated from others, both physically and emotionally, which leads to a sense of loneliness. It is a reflection of the shared isolation experienced during the COVID-19 lockdown. I was particularly inspired by how Lucian Freud portrayed hands and eyes as emotive assets.
305
Sophie, age 19
Women Deserve a Choice
Tights, wire, string
I created this piece around how women’s abortion rights are being taken away. This specific piece was inspired by a case study done in the 1900s where a women pulled her own intestines out giving herself an abortion.
306
Elliot, age 19
Intervention
Epoxy resin, dog shark egg casings found on Brighton beach, paperclips, araldite
The garment portrays a balance between the symbiotic and destructive relationship we humans have with our environment. The synergy between the wearer and the ‘jumper’ is illustrated by the gradient in opacity and moulding of the solid lattice to the body. There is conflict between the man-made and natural elements. Chemicals halt the decomposition of the eggs, leaving them suspended, unable to decay.
307
Hattie, age 19
The Rainford’s
Oil and acrylic paint on wood
Every day spent on sand or sat on a board atop the sea. Those snippets of time sit in a treasure chest within me. The Rainford’s home was the beach and I used to frequent at their dining room table.
308
Abigail, age 19
Tree in Arboretum
Charcoal
I enjoy ancient trees—they conjure up historic fantasy and rich stories. I have focused on the root section of this very old tree as I was inspired by its quiet presence.
309
Aimee, age 19
Sean by Candlelight
Oil paint on paper
Sean by Candlelight is my nod to Baroque candlelit portraits with a contemporary twist. Inspired by hyperrealism, I enjoy creating an illusion that tricks the viewer. I believe every detail of a painting is important. Mimicking 6x4 photographs is not accidental and enhances the illusion; I want people to first assume they are photographs before pausing to look closer, taking the time to really see Sean, lit by candle, in a modern world.
310
Al, age 19
Ode to Skyline Over Bridlington Bay
Pencil on tracing paper
My grandparents have always lived in Yorkshire, and ever since I was a child we would go for walks at the beach in Bridlington. When I was younger going on walks was so boring and I’d often distract myself by looking at things. I would find it so interesting looking out across the ocean at all the ships and finding where the sea met the skyline. This piece is a homage to that and to my young self.
311
Naima, age 19
SE15
Photograph
Peckham High Street: A Visual Narrative is a photographic exploration of South London’s Peckham district. Each frame invites us into the stories behind the beloved High Street’s community and the people, places and architecture that make Peckham, Peckham. Drawing inspiration from my surrounding area and the pressing need to document it before it is gentrified.
312
Lucie, age 19
Boy of Nagorno Karabakh
Oil paint and cold wax with thread on canvas
This is a portrait of a young boy from Nagorno Karabakh. Dispute over this region led to a series of conflicts between Armenia and Azerbaijan, resulting in thousands of casualties. Over 100,000 citizens of Nagorno Karabakh (almost the entire population) fled to Armenia in one week, following a complete blockade of the region. My friend supports a young person from this region, which inspired me to dedicate a painting to this topic.
The Royal Academy of Arts would like to thank and congratulate all the schools, teachers, art clubs, parents and guardians who have supported the young artists in this year’s show
We would like to commend the following schools and clubs for their particular efforts, submitting a range and wealth of works.
Blue Gate Fields Junior School
Danum Doodlers Art Club
Dawn House School
Glossopdale School
Heathfield School
Lilliput Church of England Infant School
Ravenscourt Park Preparatory School
St Mary’s Melrose
Studio 8 Arts & Craft
Sydenham School
Thomas’s Battersea
All Saints Junior School
Berkshire
All Saints’ Church of England Primary School
Greater London
Allenbourn Middle School
Dorset
Alleyn’s School
Greater London
Ambler Primary School and Children’s Centre
Greater London
Art House Ealing
Greater London
Artella
Greater London
Ashley C of E Primary School
Surrey
Ashmead Primary School
Greater London
Ashwell Primary School
Hertfordshire
Avanti Park School
Somerset
Babington House School
Greater London
Barkerend Primary Leadership Academy
West Yorkshire
Barlby Primary School
Greater London
Barnet and Southgate College
Greater London
Belleville Primary School
Greater London
Belvidere School
Shropshire
Bevington Primary School
Greater London
BHASVIC
East Sussex
Bildeston Primary School
Suffolk
Blackheath High School
Greater London
Blackpool Sixth Form Lancashire
Blatchington Mill School and Sixth Form College
East Sussex
Blue Gate Fields Junior School
Greater London
Bodsham Church of England Primary School
Kent
Bounds Green Junior School
Greater London
Bow School
Greater London
Bradley Stoke Community School
Gloucestershire
Bramingham Primary School
Bedfordshire
Brampton College
Greater London
Brandlehow Primary School
Greater London
Bridgewater Primary School
Hertfordshire
Bronte School
Kent
Brookhurst Primary School Warwickshire
Brookland Junior School
Greater London
Brooklands Primary School
Greater London
Brunswick Park Primary School
Greater London
Bure Valley School
Norfolk
Callywith College
Cornwall
Camden School for Girls
Greater London
Canary Wharf College Glenworth
Greater London
Carden Primary School
East Sussex
Cardinal Newman Catholic Primary School
Surrey
Cardinal Newman College Lancashire
Cardinal Winning Secondary School Lanarkshire
Carlton Hill Primary School
East Sussex
Caroline Chisholm School
Northamptonshire
Caterham School
Surrey
Charles Dickens Primary School
Greater London
Chase Side Primary School
Greater London
Chelsea Academy
Greater London
Chestnuts Primary School
Greater London
Chorlton CofE Primary School
Greater Manchester
Chorlton High School
Greater Manchester
CJ ARTS
West Midlands
Cleves School
Surrey
Colchester County High School for Girls
Essex
Coleridge Primary School
Greater London
Colyton Grammar School
Devon
Craneswater Junior School
Hampshire
Crowhurst CofE Primary School
East Sussex
Danegrove Primary School
Greater London
Danum Doodlers Art Club
South Yorkshire
Dartford Grammar School
Kent
Dawn House School
Nottinghamshire
Devonshire House Preparatory School
Greater London
Dinnington High School
South Yorkshire
Dorothy Stringer School
East Sussex
Dovedale Community Primary School
Merseyside
Dr Radcliffe’s Church of England Primary School
Oxfordshire
Drayton Manor High School
Greater London
Dulwich College
Greater London
East Sheen Primary School
Greater London
Eden Park High School
Greater London
Edgar Wood Academy
Greater Manchester
Ernesford Grange Primary School
West Midlands
Esher Church School
Surrey
Exeter College
Devon
Finchley Catholic High School
Greater London
Fortismere School
Greater London
Franksbridge C.P. School
Powys
Gayhurst Community School
Greater London
Glossopdale School
Derbyshire
Godalming Junior School
Surrey
Goldington Academy
Bedfordshire
Gospel Oak Primary School
Greater London
Gower College Swansea
Swansea
Grass Art
West Midlands
Greater Brighton Metropolitan College
East Sussex
Guildford High School
Surrey
Haberdashers’ Aske’s Hatcham College
Greater London
Hampsthwaite Church of England Primary School
North Yorkshire
Harris Academy Greenwich
Greater London
Harris Girls’ Academy Bromley
Greater London
Hayes Primary School
Greater London
Heath Mount School
Hertfordshire
Henry Maynard Primary School
Greater London
Hereford College of Arts
Herefordshire
Hereford Sixth Form College
Herefordshire
Hertswood Academy
Hertfordshire
Hexham Middle School
Northumberland
Highgate Primary School
Greater London
Highsted Grammar School
Kent
Hillbrook School
Greater London
Hockley Heath Academy
West Midlands
Hollinwood Academy
Greater Manchester
Holy Family Catholic Primary School
Greater London
Home Education
Hertfordshire
Homeschool
Greater London
Homeschool
Kent
Honeywell Junior School
Greater London
Hurst Primary School
Greater London
Hurstbourne Tarrant Church of England Primary School
Hampshire
Immanuel and St Andrew Church of England Primary School
Greater London
Impington Village College
Cambridgeshire
Jessop Primary School
Greater London
Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School
Gloucestershire
Kenilworth School and Sixth Form
Warwickshire
Kerr Mackie Primary School
West Yorkshire
Kesgrave High School
Suffolk
Knowle Park Primary School
Bristol
Lakes College West Cumbria
Cumbria
Landau Forte Academy Tamworth Sixth Form
Staffordshire
Langdon Academy
Greater London
Latchmere School
Greater London
Laurus Cheadle Hulme
Greater Manchester
Lewes Old Grammar School
East Sussex
Leytonstone School
Greater London
Linslade Academy Trust
Bedfordshire
Linton Heights Junior School
Cambridgeshire
Littleport and East Cambs Academy
Cambridgeshire
Lord Williams’s School
Oxfordshire
Malorees School
Greater London
Manor Green College
West Sussex
Marlborough Primary School
Greater London
Marlborough St Mary’s School
Wiltshire
Mercia School
South Yorkshire
Merton Park Primary School
Greater London
Methodist College
Antrim
Moon Hall School Reigate
Surrey
Moss Stitch Ceramics
Greater London
Mousehold Infant and Nursery School
Norfolk
Nassington Primary School
Northamptonshire
New College Doncaster
South Yorkshire
Newport School
Greater London
Norwood School
Greater London
NSCG Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group
Staffordshire
Oaklands Infant School
Essex
Olga Primary School
Greater London
Pate’s Grammar School
Gloucestershire
Penyrheol Comprehensive School
Swansea
Pickhurst Junior School
Greater London
Portadown Integrated Primary School
Armagh
Potten End Church of England Primary School
Hertfordshire
Preston Park Primary School
Greater London
Prettygate Infant School
Essex
Radley College
Oxfordshire
Ravenscote Junior School
Surrey
Rhodes Avenue Primary School
Greater London
Richard Cobden Primary School
Greater London
Robert Gordon’s College
Aberdeen City
Romanby Primary School
North Yorkshire
Rosendale Primary School
Greater London
Rosh Pinah Primary School
Greater London
Royal Latin School
Buckinghamshire
Sacred Heart Catholic School
Greater London
Salusbury Primary School
Greater London
Samuel Lucas Junior Mixed and Infant School
Hertfordshire
Sandhurst Infant and Nursery School
Greater London
Seaford Head School
East Sussex
Shaftesbury Park Primary School
Greater London
Sheringham High School
Norfolk
Shireland Collegiate Academy
West Midlands
Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys
Kent
Southend High School for Girls
Essex
Spalding Grammar School
Lincolnshire
St Agatha’s Catholic Primary School
Greater London
St Agnes Academy
Cornwall
St Albans High School for Girls
Hertfordshire
St Andrew’s CofE VC Lower School
Bedfordshire
St Benedict’s Roman Catholic Primary School
Kent
St Catherine Catholic Primary School
Greater London
St Columba’s College
Hertfordshire
St George’s Catholic Primary Voluntary Academy
Greater London
St Gregory’s Bath
Somerset
St James’s Roman Catholic Primary School
Greater London
St John Fisher Catholic Primary School
Greater London
St Mary’s Catholic Primary School
Kent
St Mary’s Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School
Cambridgeshire
St Nicolas CofE Academy
Warwickshire
St Paul’s Girls’ School
Greater London
St Peter-in-Chains RC Infant School
Greater London
St Peter’s Catholic Comprehensive School
Dorset
St Saviour’s C.E. Primary School
Greater London
St Stephen’s CE Primary School
Greater London
St Stephens Community Academy
Cornwall
St Vincent de Paul Catholic Primary School
Greater London
Stanford Junior School
East Sussex
Stocklake Park Community School
Buckinghamshire
Stoneydown Park School
Greater London
Studio 8 Arts & Craft
Buckinghamshire
Surbiton High School
Greater London
Swiss Cottage School - Development & Research Centre
Greater London
Sydenham School
Greater London
Telferscot Primary School
Greater London
Temple Learning Academy
West Yorkshire
The Alderton Infant School
Essex
The Art Room Surrey
Surrey
The Arts Factory
Greater London
The Baird Primary Academy
East Sussex
The Bishops’ Blue Coat Church of England High School Cheshire
The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial Roman Catholic School
Greater London
The Colour Cabin
Greater London
The Cotswold Academy Gloucestershire
The Cumberland School
Greater London
The Elms Academy
Greater London
The Heights Primary School
Berkshire
The Hewett Academy
Norfolk
The Lincoln St Christopher’s School
Lincolnshire
The Link Secondary School
Greater London
The Norton Knatchbull School
Kent
The Rackham Church of England Primary School
Cambridgeshire
The Tiffin Girls’ School
Greater London
Thomas’s Battersea
Greater London
Thorpe Hall Primary School
Greater London
Tidemill Academy
Greater London
Tiffin School
Greater London
Torriano Primary School
Greater London
Trinity School
Greater London
Tuxford Academy
Nottinghamshire
Twyford High School
Greater London
University of the Arts London
Greater London
Varndean School
East Sussex
Victor Oduneye Homeschool
Greater London
Wanstead High School
Greater London
Welsh School of Architecture
Cardiff
West Bridgford Junior School
Nottinghamshire
West Denton Primary School Tyne and Wear
West Kirby Grammar School
Merseyside
West London Free School Primary
Greater London
West Suffolk College
Suffolk
Westcourt Primary School
Kent
Western Road Community Primary School
East Sussex
Whitehall Park School
Greater London
Whitley Bay High School Tyne and Wear
William Tyndale Primary School
Greater London
William Westley Church of England VC Primary School
Cambridgeshire
Windmill Primary School
Oxfordshire
Wright Robinson College
Greater Manchester
Wurkshop
Greater London
XP Gateshead Tyne and Wear
Yerbury Primary School
Greater London
Ysgol Gymraeg Bryn Y Mor
Swansea
Ysgol Llanfyllin
Powys
To see the online exhibition visit roy.ac/youngartists #rayoungartists
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