Heathfield School, Ascot – an independent secondary boarding and day school for girls aged 11-18, rated ‘Excellent’ across all areas by the Independent Schools Inspectorate – is once again celebrating its students’ artistic talent’s with three winning entries in this year’s International School Association (ISA) National Art Competition. With over 1700 entries submitted nationwide, and a total of 266 incredible artworks showcased at the final exhibition, the students showed their prowess across multiple categories.
The school, celebrating its 125 year anniversary this year, has a rich heritage in the arts. Commenting on the school’s success, Angela Farrugia, Head of Art, said, ‘At Heathfield we aim to empower each student to produce artwork with meaning and purpose in a range of media, we fully support the girls interests and their projects reflect the ever-changing creative world. I believe this is evident in the range of pieces put forward for this year’s ISA art awards.’
Ella was just 15 years old when she created ‘Synaesthesia’, which came first place in KS4 Drawing. This stunning piece explores the perceptual phenomenon which causes people to experience one sense through another, for instance a person with synaesthesia might see colours when they hear music, or taste citrus when reading a particular word. Ella’s pencil drawing, portrays the brain’s simultaneous route through multiple unrelated senses. The fabric head piece is a physical representation of how a person experiencing synaesthesia would feel. Overjoyed with first place, Ella said, ‘Having my work recognised at this level is a fantastic achievement.’
Another beautiful piece, ‘Coral Bleaching’ by Fernanda, was awarded second place in KS4 Textiles. The crocheted canvas was designed to highlight the impact of coral bleaching. Individually crafted coral sculptures show how coral reefs support some of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet. They provide habitats for thousands of marine animals and as reef ecosystems collapse, many already at-risk species may face extinction.
‘Mem Fum’ by Tamara
KS4 Fashion Highly Commended
Strikingly unique, ‘Mem Fum’ by Tamara, came Highly Commended in the KS4 Fashion category. The garment, constructed from hair, was created to represent the injustices of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The captors would brutally shave the hair of women, stripping them of their cultural roots and identity. Later, after being sold to plantations, enslaved people used their braids as a secret communication system to convey information about escape routes and safe houses. Commenting on her creation, Tamara explained, ‘This garment is personal to my heritage, and I am honoured that it has been viewed nationally.’
Commenting on the students artistic success, Sarah Rollings, Headmistress, said, ‘We are absolutely delighted with our students’ success at the ISA National Art Awards. Their creativity, dedication, and unique perspectives are truly inspiring, and this achievement reflects their hard work and passion for the arts. It’s a testament to the nurturing environment we strive to provide, where students are encouraged to make their mark, explore their talents and push the boundaries of their imagination. We are incredibly proud of them and look forward to seeing their artistic journeys continue to flourish.’
Categories: Heathfield School School News
