Independent and Resilient: A Level Art and Photography in the Age of Lockdown
“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”
Working independently has always been a key feature of A level Art and A level Photography. In order to be successful, students need to demonstrate that they are engaged in the projects that they have selected and that they have a genuine interest in the creative world. Students in the 2020/2021 cohort though have shown independence like no other students before them. A series of national lockdowns, starting from when these students were half way through their Year 12 courses, and continuing right up until the end of their Year 13 experience, meant that all students across the country were faced with a choice: give up or step up. All ten of these students, whose work is presented here, chose to step up.
There are two types of people in the world: those who want to achieve something and who will find a way to do it and those who will just find an excuse why they can’t. These ten students are all in that first category. They have all stepped up, even when presented with obstacles and difficulties beyond their control. They have shown extraordinary resilience, determination and integrity. Their work here reminds us of the power of art. It can provide a focus, an escape route from reality, a light at the end of the tunnel. It can give us hope and can allow us to express our own unique viewpoint. It can provide meaning when the world around us is in chaos. Art can give the artist purpose and can be a way to show the world just how amazing we can be.
“I am so proud of these ten individuals. Each of them have given this last twelve months their absolute all. We wish them all the best on the next steps of their academic and creative endeavours.”
Click on an image to see more artwork by that student.
