A Level Art Students visit Kettle’s Yard

A-Level Art students from Years 12 and 13 recently had the opportunity to visit Kettle’s Yard House and Gallery in Cambridge, an experience that will directly support their coursework and creative development. Originally the home of Jim and Helen Ede, the house is an extraordinary space where artworks by renowned artists such as Ben and Winifred Nicholson, Alfred Wallis, Henry Moore, and Barbara Hepworth are carefully placed alongside everyday objects to create a harmonious setting. With no labels or barriers, students were able to explore and interact with the collection in an intimate and inspiring way, gaining a unique insight into how art can exist within a lived environment.

Apollo Year 13 said “I really enjoyed visiting the house, especially the extension because of the way light was used in the space. I also loved how natural forms like pebbles, plants, and shells were carefully arranged amongst the artworks, it created such a calm and inspiring atmosphere.”

Alongside their exploration of the house, students visited the gallery’s latest exhibition, Zvakazarurwa by Portia Zvavahera. This was the artist’s first solo exhibition at a public gallery in Europe, showcasing paintings influenced by her dreams and the spiritual traditions of her upbringing. Drawing on African and European artistic influences, her work provided students with a powerful example of personal and cultural storytelling through painting. The exhibition’s expressive use of colour and layering techniques offered fresh inspiration for students to consider in their own creative practice.

To extend their experience, students took part in a mono-printing workshop led by contemporary printmaker Jacquie Campbell. Focusing on the concept of negative space, they explored how this idea is present within Kettle’s Yard and its collection. Using positive and negative silhouettes, they created a series of prints that responded to their observations from the house and exhibition. This hands-on activity helped students develop their printmaking skills while encouraging them to think critically about composition and spatial relationships in their own work. The visit as a whole provided a rich source of inspiration, reinforcing key artistic concepts and broadening their understanding of different artistic practices.

Olga Year 13 said “The printmaking workshop was really interesting, it was great to learn a new technique and experiment with negative space.”