‘Ways of Seeing’ conference for Farlington’s Art Historians

08 Dec 2014

On Saturday 22nd November, Mrs Huntsman, Farlington’s Head of Art History, took a group of Sixth Form art historians to the annual ‘Ways of Seeing’ conference at the British Museum.
It was a fact-packed day with different lecturers looking at the issue of patronage, one of the main topics studied at AS Level. The girls were welcomed by Mr Richard Woff from the British Museum who then gave a fascinating talk about the Parthenon; they later went to see the Parthenon Marbles housed in the Egyptian rooms within the museum. Hilary Williams spoke about the British Museum and how the building came to be in its present state from its beginning as a collection of original global artefacts in Montague House. The art historians also heard from Tom Henry (University of Kent), Simon Lee (Reading University and chief examiner), Alice Correira (University of Sussex and curator of Henry Moore’s sculptures at the Tate) and Jane Beckett (New York University, London). Each speaker gave specific examples which could be used back in the classroom.
One of the highlights of the day was the (shorter) talk from Tom Dennis, one of the area finalists for this year’s ARTiculation prize. Young people are encouraged to research a piece of art which has inspired them, and then make a short presentation in school and in local and regional finals. Tom, dressed as a French soldier straight out of ‘Les Misérables’, gave a riveting speech about Eugène Delacroix’s ‘Liberty Leading the People’. He spoke with passion, straight from the heart, without notes. He was truly amazing and a real ambassador for History of Art. A fitting end to an inspiring and intellectual trip.