The Queen in her undies and the US President in boxers: these two striking images have secured an Ardingly College art student a coveted place in the highly respected Royal Academy of Arts online summer exhibition.
Upper Sixth Former Anna Wise, from Haywards Heath, says she is absolutely delighted with her achievement. Her double painting, called Power Undressed, was selected from a massive entry of 1,300 students' work from across the UK.
Anna, who's doing her A Levels at Ardingly, said the inspiration for her painting was drawn from the idea that when you meet someone powerful and potentially intimidating, you should imagine them in their underwear to make yourself feel less scared. "After considering putting Obama in Speedos I finally settled on American flag boxers with Obama's slogan on the waistband and an old-fashioned bra and big pants for the Queen."
Ardingly Head of Art Claire Grover said: "The Royal Academy of Arts is probably the most prestigious art gallery in the United Kingdom. This recognition shows that the quality of art work at Ardingly continues to reach the highest national standards and we would like to congratulate Anna on her impressive success."
The Royal Academy of Arts online exhibition is the only online exhibition in the UK of its kind. It is open to all students at schools and colleges in the UK who are currently studying A levels, Higher/Advanced Higher or IB.
The exhibition was judged from a shortlist by a panel including Royal Academician and sculptor Richard Wilson, Royal Academy curator Adrian Locke and Royal Academy Schools student Rachael Champion.
From June 14 to August 22, the exhibition is live on the Royal Academy of Arts website:
http://www.royalacademy.org.uk/education/a-level-summer-exhibition-online
It is showing at the same time as the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, the world's largest open-submission contemporary art show.
Fri 11th Jun 2010
