Northampton Academy is celebrating after two Year 11 students, Anastasija and Morenike, took home first and second place in United Learning’s International Art Competition.
The annual competition challenges young artists in secondary schools across United Learning – of which Northampton Academy is a part – to create an original piece of artwork. Students who place in the top four win the chance to have their artwork exhibited at the prestigious International High School Arts Festival in Tokyo, whilst the competition winner is awarded an all-expenses-paid trip to Japan with a guardian to see their artwork on display in person.
This year, the competition was conducted entirely virtually with final scores comprised of votes from three separate audiences: social media (25%), the Group’s art teachers and Executive team (25%), as well as two professional artists Meha Hindocha and Francesca Skelhorn (50%). Over a two-week period, these audiences looked through photos of the students’ artwork and voted for their favourite pieces. For the expert judges, this involved taking part in a special virtual judging panel where they discussed the submissions and selected the pieces that stood out to them.
In securing the highest overall score, Anastasija was awarded first place in the competition and is set to go on the once-in-a-lifetime trip to Tokyo later this year. Her detailed piece titled ‘Knowledge is Power’ shows an elegantly dressed woman sitting atop a mountain of books.
Commenting on the work, judge Meha Hindocha said:
“This is a beautifully painted piece. It is really well thought out and there is great attention to detail. I love the composition and placement of a powerful black woman in a gorgeous outfit and heels on top of the ancient books.”
Closely behind the winner came joint runner-up Morenike, also from Northampton Academy, who is set to receive a special art kit to commend her efforts. In creating her painting ‘An Ethereal Courtesan’, Morenike took inspiration from the iconic image of a geisha. Judge Francesca Skelhorn praised it as being a “Dramatic and very technically strong piece of work” which gave the traditional figure a contemporary edge.
The school also had a third entrant in the competition, Year 11 student Dominion, who deserves a special mention for her expressive piece ‘My True Colour’.
Encouraging students to take part in a competition like this forms part of the school’s commitment to delivering an Education with Character. This means giving students opportunities where they can strengthen their creative skills, develop talents that are unique to them and challenge themselves as they go head-to-head against their peers.
Speaking of her win, Anastasija said: “I am in shock and extremely proud. I worked really hard on my entry so I am very glad my efforts paid off. I am excited to see what my future holds and to continue growing and developing as an artist.”
Chris Clyne, Principal at Northampton Academy, said: “Congratulations to all three of our students on their impressive contributions to this year’s International Art Competition. They all worked incredibly hard on their entries and I am proud of the determination they showed to produce such high-quality work.
“It is particularly pleasing to have Anastasija and Morenike take home first and second place and get the chance to have their work celebrated on an international stage. The success they have had in the competition is a testament both to their creativity and determination, as well as to the ongoing support they receive from our fantastic art department. I am very much looking forward to seeing our young artists continue to build on what they have achieved.”
The students' work is available to view in the gallery below.