News

National Portrait Gallery’s ‘Faces and Places’ Workshops

Students in the Art department took part in the National Portrait Gallery’s Faces and Places workshops. Students in Year 7, 10, 11, 12 and 13 worked with artist and photographer Marysa Dowling on a project which explored the gallery’s collection of portraits showing people who have lived or been associated with the Barking and Dagenham area. Students discussed portraits of historical figures including William the Conqueror, Mary Wollstonecraft and Captain Cook. The collection also included photographs of Idris Elba, Frank Bruno and Bobby Moore and students were amazed to learn about how each of these have been connected to our local area.

The gallery provided 12 professional DSLR cameras which allowed students to work in groups with lighting and backdrops, taking it in turns to be portrait photographer and sitter. Marysa taught the students how to use the cameras and compose their portrait photographs. They were then given the chance to choose their favourite photograph to be printed for display.

Year 13 were joined by a film-maker from the National Portrait gallery, who documented the workshop and interviewed students on their experience.

We hope to see the work of The Warren School students on the National Portrait Gallery website soon!

Miss Latham

Art Teacher