Last week, we held the first ever ‘Picture This’ History of Art speaking competition, an event to encourage students to talk about an artwork or building of their choice. Anna, Mina, and Tabby from Sydenham High, and Henry and Milo, two students visiting from Dulwich College, presented to an audience of students and teachers after school. All were gripped by the eclectic range of subjects: Goya’s ominous ‘black paintings’; the distinctive and quirky graffiti paintings of Hong Kong artist, Tsang Tsou Choi; the architectural splendour of 1930s Tube station designs of Charles Holden; the radical paintings of late 19th/early 20th-century Ottoman artist, Osman Hamdi Bey; and Rembrandt’s absorbing ‘Portrait of a Girl’ at Dulwich Picture Gallery.

Our two external judges, Jacqui Ramrayka, artist and Adobe Creative Resident at the V&A, and Shasti Lowton, Curator of Public Engagement at the Government Art Collection, had a tough time deciding on a winner and a highly commended. They were impressed by the high level of passion, engagement, and knowledge that all five speakers conveyed to the audience, and encouraged everyone to keep their passion for art going. Congratulations to everyone who took part and to Tabby as winner, Milo who was highly commended; and to Anna, Mina, and Henry for their excellent presentations.