Haberdashers’ Borough Academy Students Reach Finals of National Write on Art Competition

Congratulations to two talented Year 11 students from Borough Academy, Daria and Thurston, who reached the finals of the prestigious Write on Art competition, a national event celebrating the intersection of art and writing.

The competition, organised by the Paul Mellon Centre and Art UK, invites young people from across the UK to explore the stories behind works of art and express their interpretations through writing. The final event took place on Saturday, 7 September, at the Mary Ward Centre in Stratford, where the finalists’ entries were showcased.

The Write on Art competition encourages students to select an artwork from the national collection and explore its meaning through a written essay. Both Daria and Thurston’s submissions demonstrated exceptional insight, creativity, and passion, placing them amongst the top young art writers in the country.

Tom Howells, Principal at Borough Academy:

This achievement highlights the outstanding creativity and critical thinking of our students. Daria and Thurston have demonstrated not only their passion for art but also the ability to communicate complex ideas in a meaningful way. We are thrilled to see them represent Borough Academy on a national stage.

Borough Write on Art Competition 2024

 Photo credits: Greta Zabulyte

Daria’s Journey to the Finals

Daria, a passionate artist and writer, chose Francisco de Goya’s Fearful Folly as the focus of her essay. When asked what inspired her to write about this particular piece, Daria explained:

Originally, I simply wanted to write about the artist, who had been a great inspiration of mine for many years. However, as I read more about the piece itself, I realised how dangerous and how political it had been at the time of its creation, and it seized my wonder. From the moment I found a personal connection with the artwork, I knew I wanted to write about it.

For Daria, art is more than just a creative outlet. She shared with us how art has been a profound form of self-expression throughout her life:

For me, art has always been a way to express myself – my interests, my emotions, and, crucially, my opinions. It provides a way to say things that cannot be said otherwise, and for that I love art.

Reflecting on her experience in the competition, Daria emphasised the importance of giving young people a platform to voice their thoughts:

The highlight of the Write on Art competition, for me, was the opportunity for young people to speak out about their interests and for their voices to be heard.

Thurston’s Creative Interpretation

Thurston, another finalist from Borough Academy, selected the abstract painting, Nocturne (Nokyturn) by Michel/Mikhail Larionov, from over a century ago, which intrigued him due to its contemporary feel. He shared his initial thoughts on the artwork:

I felt that the painting gave off an essence of urban culture and, to me, resembled futuristic images of modern roads and railway lines, so it piqued my curiosity when I discovered how old it actually was.

For Thurston, the process of interpreting and writing about art was deeply fulfilling:

I enjoyed thinking of a way that a painting could be relevant to a modern audience despite being made over a century ago. It’s exciting to find creative ways to interpret abstract art in ways the original artist may or may not have intended.

Thurston’s confidence in writing about art, has :

I think it has had a noticeable impact on my ability to write about art in general.

A Bright Future Ahead

Both Daria and Thurston’s achievements in the Write on Art competition reflect their dedication, creativity, and unique perspectives.

Deborah Britton-Field, Head of Art and Design at Borough Academy, said:

We are incredibly proud of Daria and Thurston for reaching the finals of such a prestigious competition. Their ability to engage deeply with art and express their interpretations so thoughtfully is a testament to their talent and dedication. We look forward to seeing their creative journeys flourish.

Their success serves as an inspiration to their peers, showing that art and writing are powerful tools for personal expression and cultural exploration. We are incredibly proud of their accomplishments and look forward to seeing where their passion for art and writing takes them in the future.

A huge congratulations to Daria and Thurston from all of us at the Trust! We are excited to celebrate their success and continue supporting their artistic and academic journeys.

For more information about the Write on Art competition, visit the Paul Mellon Centre’s website.