On Thursday 10th October the Art department enjoyed a day out to Manchester City Art Gallery and the University of Manchester’s Whitworth Gallery with our Y11, 12 and 13 students. The traffic was kind and the autumn sunshine made the day even more beautiful. All of our students were perfect company- they listened, looked, laughed and shared enthusiasm for the different artworks each liked or were fascinated by. The 6th form were treated to a highlights tour by gallery curators at the Whitworth to provide extra insight and context to some key artworks. It was here that the Barbara Walker (b.1964, Birmingham, UK) exhibition charts her compelling figurative practice from 1990s to today. Being Here presents over 70 extraordinary artworks, including rarely seen paintings, her Turner Prize nominated drawing series Burden of Proof (2022-23), and a newly commissioned printed wallpaper Soft Power (2024). For over twenty-five years, Walker has been making intensely observed and empathetic figurative work and the exhibition was thoroughly enjoyed by staff and students alike. Our young artists left us some soundbites about their day…
I have a few favourites, all in the Manchester City Gallery most notably the Sirens and Ulysses, 1837 by William Etty because of its size and detail. I instantly knew it was retelling the Odyssey, and I really liked the portrayal of Odysseus and his crew. I also really liked Lobster in Chair, 1992 by Pamela Meiyee Leung because it was so funky in the blend of human and animal.
The most fun was probably the Manchester City Gallery also, I wish we had more time there since there was so much to see but I really enjoyed the pre-Raphaelite works and the Dutch still lifes. Barbara Walker's exhibition of all her work in the Whitworth was also really enjoyable. Vanishing Point was very insightful, and I liked how she subverted the audiences' views of the famous and classic old master paintings to bring light to black figures.
One of my favourite paintings was probably ‘Battledore' by Leonard Campbell Taylor because it was so small but so detailed and I loved how intricately he painted the dresses. Another favourite was Lucienne Day's silk mosaic 'Enigma' because it was very interesting how she found a new way to work with textiles. I also loved all of Sickert's and Gwen John's pieces. The most fun part of the day was definitely the coach trip but also sitting and sketching pieces in the art gallery!
I loved spending more time with my friends and just sharing that awe when we found beautiful paintings. It was great helping each other whenever we found an artwork related to someone else's theme and then calling them over to show them. The fun atmosphere on the bus and the games we played is something I'll always remember.
I really loved 'The Goths in Italy' by P.F. Poole and the one with the nymphs that I can't remember the name of- I just loved the way they were painted and how soft the artists made the skin look.
I was particularly drawn to 'Astarte Syriaca' (1877) by Dante Gabriel Rossetti in Manchester Art Gallery and 'Attitude'(1998) by Barbara Walker in the Whitworth Gallery. Despite differing in technique and painting style, both artworks depict women; overwhelming the viewer with the boldness of their presence. I really loved both artworks as the empowerment of women is a clearly identifiable thread woven into the fabric of art history.
My favourite artwork from the Manchester trip was in Manchester Art Gallery: ‘Byron’s Early Love, A Dream of Annesley Hall’ by Edward Matthew Ward, because it combines the imagery of objectified femininity and romantic symbolism that I like to explore within A Level Art, as well as linking to a literary figure who I love! The most fun part for me was getting to sit and sketch from some of my favourite paintings, and getting time to really admire the skill put into them.
My favourite artwork from the day was probably 'Morning Sun, Buenos Aires' by Benito Quinquela Martin. I loved the way the artist used the paint and kept it very thick and unblended, and I love his use of colour in this piece.
The Barbara Walker exhibit in the Whitworth was a personal highlight of the day: I love how she highlights people who have been overlooked in history.
A huge thank you to staff and students who all contributed to this enjoyable day and valuable experience for our GCSE and A-level artists.
Mrs Arrowsmith
Comments