Art & Design

We started the year with an exciting move to a brand-new campus, moving into large fully equipped art rooms. We have celebrated this move with an ongoing mission to display all the outstanding artwork the pupils have created, alongside developing a permanent gallery space to exhibits pupils’ artwork.

Despite the initial beginnings of online and blended learning both staff and pupils were eager and full of positivity to embrace the new academic year and whatever challenges were thrown at us due to the restrictions.

We have had excellent i/GCSE and AS submissions and as usual a very dedicated cohort of young and inspiring artists. In this year’s edition I wanted to showcase artwork that celebrates and underpins Sherborne’s, ethos of perseverance and tenacity. One such pupil is Marie Cabibihan who spent the entire Year 10 of her i/GCSE Art Course at home in isolation. The determination and positive mindset that is needed to develop and create artwork on your own is nothing short of miraculous.

One of the art department’s aims when moving to the new campus was to showcase pupils’ artwork to a greater audience. We have some amazing artists at Sherborne and we wanted to get pupils’ work out of the art studios and seen by a wider audience. In September we were delighted to announce the Artist of the Month Award. As well as celebrating the actual artwork, this initiative helps shine a light on the artists in question and gives an insight into the ideas and processes behind the finished work. Each month a pupil is selected from across all years for his or her effort, imagination and skill. An artwork by the chosen pupil is displayed in the reception for the entire month and is§ published on the school’s social media. Along with the artwork, an interview with the artist explaining the background to the piece helps give us a better understanding of the artistic journey.

2021-2022 ARTISTS OF THE MONTH

Uneiza Haque, Year 12 Matilda Von Lutzow, Year 11 Haya Obaidan, Year 11 AlJori Al Kuwari, Year 12 Hamza El Sayed, Year 9 Serene Salem, Year 10 Habiba Shehata, Year 11

Embarking on any i/GCSE, AS or A Level Art course requires tenacity and skill and the artwork represented in this year’s edition showcases this. The above artists are an inspiration for our budding artists in the lower years and it is very pleasing to see a Year 9 pupil, Hamza El Sayed, achieving Artist of the Month. As we start to return to normality we hope next year to launch new competitions and indeed organise trips again to visit galleries and exhibitions. The Art Department is immensely proud of the artwork the pupils have completed this year.

The Art Department