Alumnae and Guest Talks Spark Art Inspiration

December 15th 2023

Pupils and staff in the Alleyn’s Art department are feeling extra inspired after a series of captivating lunchtime talks throughout Advent term.

The series started off with the talented Lex Franchi, a graduate from the prestigious Slade School of Art, who enthralled pupils as she delved into the intricacies of her art practice. The focus of the conversation was her thought-provoking 'Moonclock' series. These artworks explore the connection between the lunar cycle and women's menstruation, providing a unique perspective on the interplay of nature and human experience.

The next engaging talk was delivered by Alleyn’s Alumna, Immy Hayes (Dutton’s 2023), who shared her vibrant experiences from the Art Foundation course at Kingston University, where students are encouraged to experiment with a broad spectrum of art and design disciplines, fostering a rich and diverse artistic foundation.

In the final week of term, Alleyn's alumni Milly Jackson (Tyson’s 2022) and Eve Gueterbock (Spurgeon’s 2021) provided an insightful glimpse into the Fine Art Degree course at the Ruskin School of Art, Oxford University, where the duo are currently pursuing their artistic passion.

Their talk offered a window into the world of fine art at one of the world's leading universities, as they spoke about the exciting anatomy course that runs there and shared images of their recent artwork, and the beautiful spaces in which they work.

Milly and Eve talked about the opportunities and challenges they had encountered; including the chance to learn from working artists as well as the importance of learning to manage your own time. Both felt their time in the Art department at Alleyn’s had left them in good stead for the next steps and the freedom of their course and working in various media.

They mentioned that the Ruskin was generous with funding art-related courses, experiences and trips for its students; with Eve benefiting from an art trip to Venice under the scheme.

Milly and Eve’s talk was very much appreciated by all in the room; with students posing questions about their artistic process, any challenges they had faced, and what other students on the Ruskin course had gone on to do.

Head of Art and Art History gave thanks to Milly and Eve, who return to the Ruskin in January. Eve will be preparing her final show in 2024, which members of the Alleyn’s Art department look forward to attending.

We are thrilled to have hosted these insightful guest speakers to broaden the horizons of our students and will be basking in the afterglow of their inspiration as we round off the Advent Term. Thank you to our alumni speakers for giving back in this way; it is always wonderful to see them sharing their insights and experiences with current pupils. A lovely example of the #AlwaysAlleyns spirit!

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