KAA student’s art to be exhibited in London gallery

by Vashti Turner  on May 17, 2021  in  Art Performance and Creative Arts Sponsor

Kensington Aldridge Academy student Hanna Terefe has reached the finals of a national competition offering young artists the chance to have their work judged by professionals and see it displayed in a central London exhibition.

The Aldridge Junior Signature Art Prize is run in partnership by the Aldridge Foundation charity and Artellite, one of the first online graduate art galleries, and is sponsored by leading cyber security firm Callsign.

Students at Aldridge schools across the country entered their work in a range of categories to be judged by a panel of experts. Online graduate art gallery Artellite’s Signature Art Prize is the only award of its kind that aims to promote the work of artists in the emerging stages of their careers. Drawing attention to the unique perspective of students and recent graduates, it celebrates and identifies emerging artists’ ‘Signature Style’.

The Aldridge Junior Signature Art Prize was created to run alongside the main competition, with students able to submit entries in categories for Fine Art, Graphics, Textiles, Film and Photography. This year the competition attracted 88 entries from across the country.

Year 12 student Hanna said: “I created this piece in the summer of 2020, amidst the uproar and outrage of George Floyd’s death, which sparked protests globally. During the London protests, I noticed how many people responded to the outcry of the BAME community by simply ignoring and dismissing the very real issue of racism and discrimination within the UK.

I wanted to create a piece which drew light to how black and mixed ethnic citizens of the UK were ignored, uncared for and treated as second hand citizens. However, instead of perpetuating the same, disheartening message I instead wanted to highlight the beauty and ethereal nature of BAME people, by celebrating our uniqueness, resilience and excellence. I called the piece ‘Liza Mahu’ after the African Sun God – Mahu and Liza, who are the twin children of Nana Buluku. It represents, sunlight, hope and serenity.”

The finalists will be attending a virtual exhibition next month where the winner of each category will be announced. From the four category winners, an overall winner will be selected and offered an internship with Artellite. All Finalists will be invited to attend a celebration event at the Bankside Hotel, London, in September where their artwork will be displayed alongside the main Signature Prize entries.

The Junior Signature Art Prize is one of a number of activities in the Aldridge Foundation’s creative arts programme, which aims to raise awareness of arts and creative career opportunities for Aldridge students studying for GCSEs and at sixth form.

The Charity’s Chief Executive, Shona Nichols, said: “With most organisations forced to cancel work experience and internships due to Covid-19, the Foundation’s World of Work Weeks have been helping young people discover a range of careers, build networks and gain the confidence to take the next steps along their career pathways.

“For example, our Creative Industries World of Work Week brought together over 30 actors, designers, gallery curators and dancers to share their passion, experiences and career journeys, giving students an invaluable insight into the many different job roles and careers within the creative industry and the different routes to get there.

“As a developing artist, the Junior Signature Art Prize gives our young people a superb opportunity to have their work seen by experts and potential buyers, and the overall winner will have the chance to learn so much through an internship with Artellite. The standard of entries this year has been excellent and we are looking forward to hearing who the judges choose as their winner.”

“Liza Mahu” by Hanna Terefe, Year 12