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Posted on January 25th 2023
Natasha Competes at Art Public Speaking Competition
Congratulations to Natasha, Year 12, who took part in this year's ARTiculation prize, a national public speaking competition run by the National Gallery London.
Young people between 16-19 years old are invited to each deliver a 10-minute presentation to an audience about a work of art, architecture, or an artefact of their choice. After an in-school heat, one student is selected to represent their school at regional heats or regional finals which take place at museums and galleries across the country.
The judge, Dr. Stephen Whiteman, said how much he had enjoyed revisiting van Gogh's painting, The Starry Night, through the eyes of Natasha. He applauded her for the way in which she had taken her personal experience and her own photography practice and successfully made a series of connections with the work of van Gogh. Dr Whiteman added that in art history, the artist tends to remain central when discussing paintings, and commended Natasha for so brilliantly reminding us all that that viewer’s experience has just as much to bring into a reading of an artwork.
"It was a great pleasure to hear Natasha speak and we all hope that she is feeling very proud of her amazing achievement," said Josepha Sanna, Articulation Project Manager.
Dr. Stephen Whiteman with Natasha and the other partcipants.
It is a scary experience for many of our young people to stand up in front of an audience and deliver a clear and concise speech and this day is a brilliant opportunity for all students to help them to gain experience and build confidence in their oracy skills.
This not only helps them across all their studies in school but also provides a solid foundation upon which they can build as they move forward into university or work life. It is a wonderful experience to see students bloom in front of your eyes as they realise that they have conquered one of their fears.
