Kerry James Marshall is widely regarded as one of the most important artists working today. His vivid, large-scale paintings place Black lives and narratives at the centre of art history, reimagining traditional “history painting” by giving visibility to people and stories historically left out of Western art. His works draw on an extraordinary range of references — from classical art and civil rights photography to comics, science fiction, and his own lived experiences — to confront the past, celebrate everyday life, and imagine brighter futures.

This landmark exhibition features 70 works, including Knowledge and Wonder (1995), a monumental painting commissioned for the Chicago Public Library and never before loaned outside the United States. For many of our pupils, this was a rare opportunity to see Marshall’s work up close, in what is the largest exhibition of his paintings ever mounted outside America.

Our Art students immersed themselves in the gallery, taking time to observe, reflect and sketch elements that resonated with them in their project books. Seeing such powerful contemporary work first-hand deepened their understanding of visual storytelling, symbolism and political messaging in art.

Meanwhile, our Photography students embarked on a creative walk through the vibrant streets of Soho — capturing the colour, energy and character of Carnaby Street, Liberty’s iconic facade, and the bustle of central London. With so much atmosphere and visual variety, pupils experimented with composition, texture, light and perspective as they built inspiration for their upcoming GCSE and A-Level photography projects. They then visited The Photographers’ Gallery, a hub for contemporary photographic practice, to expand their artistic and technical thinking even further.

It was a rich and rewarding day filled with culture, creativity and inspiration — the kind of experience that broadens artistic horizons and fuels fresh ideas for the exciting work still to come.