17 March 2021
Ms Amy Hare, Head of Art
On Monday 15 March, members of the Sixth Form Art and Design Society were delighted to watch Lower Sixth Former Katie represent Woldingham at the online London final of the ARTiculation public speaking competition, which was hosted by the V&A.
The adjudicator, Dr Gus Casely-Hayford, Director of V&A East, was very complimentary about Katie’s engaging and passionate talk about controversial performance artist Marina Abramović. He applauded Katie for her “diligence, commitment, imagination and rigour” and congratulated her on delivering a presentation which managed to tell us something new about an artist about whom so much has already been written. He added that Katie had "brilliantly" managed to make us understand the artist’s work by connecting to us.
Dr Casely-Hayford praised the extremely high standard of entrants this year, describing them as ready to step into his shoes as a presenter. He also congratulated them all for the passion they conveyed for their chosen topics and for their original thinking and said that he had no doubt that whatever the participants went on to do, they would thrive.
Katie shares her thoughts on the reaching the final:
“It was a huge honour to be chosen to represent Woldingham in the 2021 ARTiculation competition, which has enabled me to expand my all-round knowledge and confidence.
ARTiculation is a national arts public speaking competition for young people aged between 14-23, run by the Roche Court Educational Trust. As finalists we were asked to discuss a form of art of our choice and discuss our views, thoughts and inspirations we derive from these art works. I instantly knew I would choose a piece of performance art and who better to choose than Marina Abramović? I’ve always been a fan of her work and was eager to learn more about her.
I study history of art alongside philosophy and I believe Abramović's work incorporates both in a unique, raw fashion. Her work involves such passion, intensity and vanity, yet always allowing room for the involvement of her beloved connoisseurs.
More than 4,000 people from 200 different schools enter this competition each year, so to be chosen to take part in the final among many other talented speakers feels beyond surreal. I’m so grateful and excited to see how my future can include the intellectual stimulation of the Arts. Not only was I able to meet the other speakers but I had the privilege to be judged by Dr Gus Casely-Hayford OBE, whose words of encouragement were truly inspiring.”
You can watch a video of Katie’s presentation here.