Fine Art students visit London galleries in preparation for exam assignment.

A2 Fine Art students recently visited the acclaimed ‘Picasso and Modern British Artists’ exhibition at Tate Britain in London. This exhibition tied in perfectly with their Unit 4 theme of ‘Combinations and Alliances’ as it includes work by seven British artists who knew Picasso or were inspired by him. Having already researched Early Modernism and Picasso it was a fantastic opportunity to see the actual paintings. Becca Cassidy summed up how many of the students felt about seeing the paintings at first hand rather than as reproductions. ‘The Picasso exhibition was highly informative as I was able to see his art work the way it was meant to be instead of in a dusty old book’.

After an academic few hours at Tate Britain, the group then walked from Millbank to Trafalgar Square taking in some of the most famous London landmarks such as the London Eye, the Houses of Parliament and the changing of the Guard at Horseguards. Lots of research drawings were made and photographs taken to use back in the studio at College. There was plenty of time left to visit The National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery before some photo opportunities with the bronze lions and street performers on the Square. The staff taking part in the trip, Cherry Williamson and Julia Hiatt were impressed by the enthusiasm shown by the students and the mature way that they approached working in the galleries. Cherry summarised this by saying ‘They were a brilliant group to take out for the day. They used the gallery spaces professionally and they were all great ambassadors for Portsmouth College’. 

Now developing their ideas for their final projects all the students are experimenting with the visual information they documented on a busy day exploring a range of cultural activities in the capital city. Student Deanna Egerton commented ‘The trip to London and the Picasso exhibition really helped kick start my exam preparation and planning. I found the art work inspiring to look at and the trip itself in London helped me because I was surrounded by inspiration. Being able to go to different galleries on the day was great too.’