Two of our talented Sixth Form students have had their work selected to be displayed at the Royal Academy Young Artists’ Summer Show in London, 13-8 August 2021. This is an incredibly prestigious show with thousands of young people from across the UK submitting their work for consideration. Jasper Binns in Year 13 submitted a painting entitled Jamaican Journey, and Evan Howard in Year 12 a short film, Mister Picnique.

Jasper: “My artwork is inspired by the quote ‘A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots’, by Marcus Garvey. Reflecting on the importance of my family’s history, origin and culture has always been important to me, and I created this artwork to communicate these ideas about our individual heritage and origin. The portraits are of my mother, who was born and raised in Jamaica before moving to the UK in her early 20s. I used an old map of Jamaica layered over with vibrant colours and patterns and combined with delicate and detailed brushstrokes to bring my mother’s journey to canvas. For me, my portraits are my way of expressing and reflecting on my mother’s origin and unique journey in life, as well as the culture of Jamaica that I know so well.”

Evan: “Douglas R. Hofstadter once wrote that ‘we are all curious collages’. I think there are lots of parallels to be drawn between how identities are formed and how picnics come together, with each party bringing small pieces and parts to build one beautiful, wholesome mess of things. ‘Mister Picnique’ was made to celebrate this.”