East Sussex College’s Freya’s photo selected in Royal Academy of Art Exhibition

An A-Level Photography student from East Sussex College has had her work selected in the Royal Academy of Arts’ (RA) Young Artists’ Summer Show.

Freya Clayton-Harding, who studies at the Lewes campus, entered the competition with her photo entitled A Spectacle.

Freya said: “I was inspired by the Space Age fashion trends of the 1960s. The idea of taking on a visually abstract persona, simply so that it can be photographically recorded fascinates me.”

The first ever Royal Academy Young Artists’ Summer Show is filled with artwork by talented young artists aged 7-19 from the UK and beyond. Freya’s entry was one of 6,200 submissions and successfully made it through to the online exhibition and features alongside 328 other drawings, paintings, photographs, sculptures and videos.

“My photography tutor told me about the competition and it sounded like an amazing opportunity, one that could hopefully open doors for me in the future, so I entered,” said the former Ratton School student.

“The criteria for what I could submit was very broad, the RA were open to any form of visual art. I submitted my photo online, with a statement explaining the piece’s meaning and influences.

“I think my picture really stands out. It is highly unusual and quite eye-catching, as well as being an image that I thought included some quite interesting technical features. I also just love the photo – it was so much fun to shoot with my friends!”

Freya’s image is now available to view online until 31st December and will feature in the exhibition at the RA from 14th July until 4th August 2019. Voting for the People’s Choice award is also open now, where members of the public are encouraged to vote for their favourite artwork. You can vote for Freya’s picture here: youngartists.royalacademy.org.uk/exhibitions/2019/4518

If you’ve been inspired by Freya then there is still time to apply for A-Level courses in Lewes, Eastbourne, and Hastings. Give us a call, or pop in to see us at one of our campuses.