Exhibition Catalogue 2023

CONTENTS

ART EXHIBITION 2023

Eimear Coyle

May Dam -

mann-Smith

Indya Fearon

Sarai Fearon

Elizabeth Fitzgerald

Madeleine Francey

Hope Skinner

Paula Vargas

Cecily White

FOREWORD

A message from the Head of Art - Mr Dunne

It has been a complete pleasure to work with these talented young artists over the last two years. GCSE and A Level art is a demanding journey which has challenged every student involved. Hours are spent labouring over sketchbooks and final outcomes and with this investment of time comes a personal connection to the Artwork. Every student has invested themselves to their fullest and the work presented is testament to their impressive engagement. An important thank you must also go to the parents who support their children beyond school hours to become these high calibre students. The creative pathways for the visual arts are exciting and the careers that are open to these students are hugely rewarding. I look forward to hearing about their journey’s through their careers with great anticipation and expect to hear great things from this impressive cohort. It is in these individuals that we entrust the future of the visual arts and I wish every one of them the very best.

A LEVEL FINE ART ELISA MORRIS

The theme of this work is ‘fear and phobias’, focusing on the common phobia of insects, particularly spiders. The large mixed media installation is of a spider in a web, inspired by both Louis Bourgeois and Alberto Giacometti.

Ink on Paper

165cm x 165cm (X2)

190cm x 88cm

Mixed Media Installation

The aim of the installation was to create an immersive experience that seeks to strike fear into the viewer. A terrifying atmosphere is created as the spider is imposing and seems alive. Almost as if it was trying to crawl out of the wall to capture those who dared to enter its web.

GCSE ART & DESIGN

JADIEN ARMSTRONG

This piece focuses on the concept of being locked and trapped in place. The string pulling against the subject’s face shows that the subject is restrained and unable to move.

Coloured Pencil on Paper

29.5cm x 42cm

GCSE ART & DESIGN BEATRICE BUDDEN

This work portrays the feeling of isolation within the vastness of nature. This atmosphere of isolation has been emphasised through the use of brown tones, which reflects the vast empty space.

Ink on Paper

41cm x 36cm

GCSE ART & DESIGN DOROTHEA COLLINS

The focus of this piece the restrictions of a patriarchal society. The torn wedding dress has reproductions of 19th century portraits of women sewn into it. This physical barrier between the viewer and the paintings conveys the constrictive effect of the patriarchy.

Oil Paint on Fabric

45cm x 195cm

30cm x 45cm (x2)

GCSE ART & DESIGN EIMEAR COYLE

This pieces focuses on the unrealistic beauty expectations of society. The first painting depicts a person conforming to these standards, the harsh rips in the face, symbolise plastic surgery. The painting behind depicts the same person laid bare and defying beauty standards.

Oil Paint on Paper

GCSE ART & DESIGN

MAY DAMMANN - SMITH

This piece communicates how women are often demonised and targeted in the media, and how they are held up to a different standard than men.

Acrylic Paint on Paper

86cm x 110cm

This piece conveys the three stages of emotional fragmentation as a result of the male gaze, and the way in which societal pressures and expectations can deeply damage women.

Oil Paint on Paper

42cm x 83cm

GCSE ART & DESIGN

SARAI FEARON

These pieces communicate the effect of different spaces and environments on people. In one space it is possible to be completely at ease and safe, contrastingly another space can make someone feel anxious and unsafe.

Acrylic Paint on Paper

43cm x 59cm (x2)

Acrylic Paint on Paper

43cm x 59cm

GCSE ART & DESIGN

ELIZABETH FITZGERALD

The focus of this piece is the contrasting ways in which one person can be perceived by different people, and the disconnect between these perspectives. Different people’s perspectives of us can affect the way in which we view ourselves.

GCSE ART & DESIGN MADELEINE FRANCEY

This piece explores the way in which memories are lost over time. The soft pencil depicts the subject when they were a young child, the edges of the drawing start to fade away depicting how memories fade and are slowly forgotten.

Graphite Pencil on Paper 40cm x 45cm

This work focuses on the concept of personal privacy being invaded, and the wider feeling of being watched and monitored by society.

Oil Paint on Paper

40cm x 50cm

GCSE ART & DESIGN

ROSIE GRAHAM

This piece examines the psychological experience which occurs in the mind during a near death experience. The piece is in monotone black and white to eradicate all life from the image.

Acrylic Paint on Paper

36.5cm x 46cm

Paint on Paper

GCSE ART & DESIGN

OLIVIA HENNINGS

The concept behind this piece is the repression of emotions. The juxtaposition of the two opposing expressions shows the contrasting emotions expressed on the outside versus the inside.

Oil

56cm x 57cm

GCSE ART & DESIGN ELEKTRA HILDRED

This work explores the concept of having another world trapped within you, one that is brighter and more vibrant than your surroundings. The bright colour of the sky contrasts with the darker background, creating a sense of being out of place.

Oil Paint on Paper 59cm x 84cm

37.5cm x 50cm (x4)

FARAHBANO JAWADI

These mixed media pieces explore the variety of possible emotions that someone may experience during dissociation. The distorted faces portray the feeling of being trapped in one’s mind.

Mono-print and Graphite Pencil on Paper

GCSE ART & DESIGN

TABITHA KAYODE

This piece explores a joyful reality in which everyone could be themselves, free of judgement.

Oil Paint on Paper

59.5cm x 84cm

GCSE ART & DESIGN

HANNAH OTHEN

This piece depicts the subject experiencing sleep paralysis. It conveys the way in which it makes the subject feel locked in place.

Oil Paint on Paper

118cm x 38cm

GCSE ART & DESIGN

POLLY RIGBY

This work focuses on the bond between seahorses. Seahorses are monogamous and they often lock their tails together to avoid being carried away by currents.

Gouache Paint on Paper

79.5cm x 119cm

Oil Paint on Canvas

59cm x 89.5cm

This painting explores the gender stereotypes in clothing, and highlights how gendered clothing is somewhat like a uniform. The contrast between the two halves of the painting demonstrates the misogyny that women face.

GCSE ART & DESIGN

HOPE SKINNER

This work focuses on the concept that we are all trapped and locked by fate. The marionette puppet shows how our strings are being pulled.

Black Biro and String on Paper

54cm x 56cm

SCARLETT SUTHERLAND

This piece explores how the glass locks and keeps the sweets in a state of preservation.

Acrylic Paint on Paper

42cm x 61cm

GCSE ART & DESIGN PAULA VARGAS

This work featuring a print of a lock, demonstrates the three stages of coming to accept oneself. Firstly protecting yourself, secondly breaking societal norms and then thirdly taking control.

Lino-print and Black Biro on Paper

21cm x 19.5cm (x3)

Oil Paint on Canvas

80cm x 60cm

GCSE ART & DESIGN CECILY WHITE

This painting uses a thermal colour scheme to reflect the warmth of family relationships.

GCSE ART & DESIGN POPPY WORMALD

This large scale painting depicts a grand institutional building, which is imposing and grand. This is contrasted by the chaotic atmosphere of the painting.

Acrylic Paint and Chalk/Charcoal on Cardboard

109cm x 149cm

AFTERWORD

A message from the Head - Ms Geldeard

This collection of work marks such tremendous creative initiative. It is the opportunity to see young talent explore the visual language and communicate insightful thoughts on their experience of life. With reflections on the psyche, the influence of society and the challenges which impact this generation, it is the culmination of two years of an artistic journey, inspired by the many artists that have gone before. It is a privilege to watch our future creators hone their craft and discover their voice. The Summer Arts Show is an important celebration of everything that we want to keep alive – creative endeavour and brave experimentation. My congratulations to all our young artists and thanks to the Sydenham High Art Department.

(Photographs from the Exhibition Private View)