Leading British Artist Opens Putney High School's Exhibition
A Level Art and Design & Technology students get to quiz Clare Twomey
Famous British artist Clare Twomey has opened the Putney High School GCSE and A Level Art and Design & Technology Exhibition. The evening showcased the student's imaginative work, reflecting their personalities and ambitions through a range of contemporary and traditional media, through to digital work, fashion and textiles.
Clare, an artist, researcher, and curator, also worked with Putney pupils during the day as part of the school’s Annual Fund DICE series of art talks and workshops and she took the time to answer questions.
When asked inspired you when you were at school to study art further she said, “My mother was a dressmaker and pattern cutter, I always loved material, textures and the way it looked and moved. Art was an important part of my life growing up and was always extremely valued.”
On the teaching of art at Putney High School she said, “The school has a personality, the art feels personalised to students. The art classes resonate reflects that the pupils are comfortable and confident. You can see that the teachers want them to understand the fullness of art, including how it can marry with architecture and literacy. Putney is a school about the journey, not just about the destination. The work is meaningful but not flamboyant for the sake of flamboyance. It’s an openness that each student seems to possess. There is a sense of empowerment. “
Year 12 student Harriet Taylor was particularly excited to speak with Clare about what inspired her to create “Humanity in our hands”; a piece dedicated to the Holocaust in which her work was created and handed out on Westminster Bridge. “This resonates with the situations we have been facing recently and I’d like to know how she feels about this now, as the piece was conceptualised 5 years ago - yet is so relevant now.”
Charlotte Bluck, Head of Art and Art History, said: “Having an artist such as Clare at this exhibition inspires our students, giving the sense that anything is possible.”
June 15, 2017