The Year 12 Art and Textiles students spent time with the Learning Team at Gainsborough’s House studying the life and work of Thomas Gainsborough (1727 – 1788) before developing their ideas outdoors in the local landscape and creating their final pieces.

“It’s great to be able to showcase these works by young artists in our gallery and so rewarding to see students follow in the footsteps of Thomas Gainsborough, gaining inspiration in the very landscapes that would have inspired him as a young boy growing up in Sudbury,” said Steph Parmee, Learning Co-ordinator at Gainsborough’s House.

“We are proud of our partnership work with local schools to help ensure young people can benefit from the House and its collection.”

The works created by Emma Carter, Emily Gillbanks, Alexia Gortsilas, Frederick Russell and Cameron Walter, demonstrate the techniques explored in the school’s Year 12 Art and Textiles courses. The students were encouraged to work in a wide range of media using different surfaces, materials and sources.

Ed Clark, Head of Art, Thomas Gainsborough School said: “We put the development of our student’s creative abilities and exposure to the arts and culture at the heart of our ethos – so its wonderful to have forged such close ties Gainsborough’s House. Our belief is that, as a school that carries the name of one of Britain’s greatest artists, we have a responsibility to enable our young people to access the full range of possibilities and pathways that the arts offer. This ethos has fed into our work as an Artsmark school, having recently been awarded platinum status in recognition of our work and the leading role we take across our multi academy trust.”