Student achievement celebrated at Artsdepot: Young Artists Exhibition

A recent success at the Artsdepot: Young Artists Exhibition in London has offered a striking example of the depth, independence and creativity our students bring to their learning beyond the classroom.

Liberty (10 Aleph) was selected to have her recorded monologue featured as part of this prestigious exhibition – an achievement made all the more memorable by the discovery, at the private view, that her work had been given a dedicated room within the gallery. The space, thoughtfully arranged with floor cushions, invited visitors to sit and engage fully with her performance, creating an immersive and reflective experience.

Liberty chose to perform an extract from Horizon by Kwame Owusu, drawn to what she described as the “evocative nature of its writing”. Her focus was on Bianca, a perceptive yet vulnerable teenager navigating the complexities of the world around her. It was a role that demanded not only technical skill, but a thoughtful and sensitive interpretation.
Preparing the piece required careful attention to the nuances of screen acting. Working within the constraints of a close frame, Liberty explored how small shifts in voice and facial expression could convey meaning and emotion. As her understanding of the character deepened, so too did the demands of the performance.

Reflecting on the process, she spoke of reaching a point where she needed to draw on her own emotions to fully realise the character’s journey – an experience that pushed her beyond familiar territory and required both focus and commitment.
Seeing the finished piece exhibited brought a different kind of perspective. Liberty described feeling “honoured to bring alive the writer’s thoughts”, alongside a real sense of excitement at sharing her interpretation with an audience. The experience also prompted reflection on the nature of performance itself: recognising that each viewer brings their own understanding, and that meaning is shaped through this interaction between actor, text and audience.

For Liberty, a powerful performance goes beyond technical delivery. It lies in an actor’s ability to connect with a character’s intentions and to move past the words on the page, bringing a personal and considered interpretation to life. This thoughtful approach is reflected in her ambition to continue exploring work by writers from a wide range of backgrounds, seeking out fresh perspectives that will further develop her understanding as a performer.

While this is an impressive individual achievement, it also highlights something broader about the way our students approach their learning. Opportunities such as this are built over time through curiosity, persistence and a willingness to embrace challenge. Whether refining a performance, engaging with complex ideas or sharing their work with others, students develop the confidence and judgement to contribute meaningfully in a range of contexts.

Liberty’s success at the Artsdepot is not only a moment to celebrate, but a reminder of the rich experiences that shape our students’ growth – encouraging them to think deeply, act with purpose, and engage thoughtfully with the world around them.