St Edmund's

Photography and Art students from the Lower Sixth Form enjoyed a truly inspiring and enriching trip yesterday, travelling to London to experience a fantastic range of world-class exhibitions.

The day began at Somerset House, where students explored the Sony World Photography Awards exhibition. This vibrant and thought-provoking showcase brought together contemporary photography from across the globe, giving students a valuable glimpse into current themes, techniques, and creative approaches within the medium. During the visit, students also encountered the work of Joel Meyerowitz, widely recognised for his outstanding contribution to photography and celebrated as an icon of street photography.

Following this, the group made their way to the National Portrait Gallery. Here, students first experienced Lucien Freud: Drawing into Painting. The exhibition explores Freud’s lifelong fascination with the human face and figure, spanning from the 1930s through to the early 21st century. It highlights his exceptional skill in drawing across a variety of media, from pencil and ink to charcoal and etching, alongside a carefully selected group of paintings that reveal the close relationship between his works on paper and canvas. Students were particularly struck by the intensity of his portraits and the expressive quality of his mark-making.

The visit continued with Catherine Opie: To Be Seen, an exhibition centred on identity, community, and representation. Opie’s work explores themes of home, intimacy, family, politics, and power, encouraging students to think more deeply about how people and stories are represented. Her photography sparked thoughtful discussion about how images can challenge perceptions and bring visibility to a wide range of experiences and communities.

The trip concluded with a relaxed return journey to Canterbury by train, giving students the chance to reflect on the day and share their highlights with one another.

Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding experience. The exhibitions provided fresh inspiration and new perspectives that will undoubtedly support and enrich students’ Art and Photography A-Level Personal Investigations.