The day began bright and early with a walk to Oxford railway satation on a very cold but thankfully dry and sunny morning. Students negotiated the London Underground and many early lunches were consumed - mainly by the boys!
Once in the gallery the students were treated to a collection which Wendy Rawding, the Head of Art, described as being 'one of the best I have seen for many years'. The work spanned Lichtenstein's early interest in Abstract Expressionism to cartoon-inspired canvases on a large scale through to his eventual return artistic experimentation. There were ceramic sculptures, large pop art pieces in two and three dimensions and some later works that were an interesting and accomplished synthesis of his painting style over the span of his career.
After lunch the group had a brief look at other floors in the gallery. Students entered lively debates over some of the more 'abstract' pieces - Carl Andre's 'bricks' caused much discussion over what exactly 'makes' art.
Overall this was a fun and stimulating day out and it is always valuable to see artwork first-hand as so much more can be gained from standing in front of a piece than looking on the internet or in a book.
Year 9 students will visit next week - hopefully they will be just as impressed!
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