Nailsea School annual art exhibition

In the same week a former Nailsea School student opened with a photography exhibition in New York the North Somerset comprehensive staged its own annual art show.

The Sheds photo series by now London-based photographer Jasper White is part of the Caves And Nests exhibition at gallery nine5 in New York.

gallery nine5 is viewed as a vital space for groundbreaking artists to exhibit their work in the epicenter of the art world.

Committed to the exploration of contemporary art the gallery stages exhibitions that examine the work of a distinct array of international artists.

Closer to home the up-and-coming talent at the Mizzymead secondary school put on an equally imaginative display.

Art teacher Rachel Davies said: "Students, family, friends and their teachers all enjoyed viewing the diverse range of work from GCSE and A-level Fine Art, 3D Art and Photography.

"There was something for everyone at the exhibition from oil paintings to sculptures made out of old teacups; from medium-format photography to digital shutter speed explorations.

"It was the first time it was possible to view all of the work from last year's classes and everyone was obviously impressed by the standard."

Among the many exhibits that caught the eye was the photography work of Year 13 student Megan Inglis featuring images of her friends as they dived and swam into water.

Some were shot at local swimming pool and others in the school playground.

Tom Verity's delicate oil paintings of his hands served as a highlight for many with one visitor making the comment that his images were 'almost da Vinci-like in their accuracy'.

Ellie Hield who gained an A* at GCSE for her 3D Art also drew admiring comments from many as the intricate structures which were technically and aesthetically very impressive.

The 3D sculpture of a building by Year 12 student Mike Smith which was part of his Fine Art portfolio also drew admiring comments especially after if became obvious that Mike had handmade all of the bricks out of terracotta clay.

Among the A-level art course work was that of Holly Borg who went on a personal investigation of the topic of obsession inspired by artists Sophie Calle and Taryn Simon.

Sweyn Hall looked at how sculptural materials can influence art using a range of abstract 2D and 3D forms to suggest nuances of protection and vulnerability within nature.

And Lara Johnson work investigates the human anatomy with clay models linking a clinical environment and science.

Nailsea School which has technology and media arts college status opened in 1959 as a grammar school with 90 pupils.

It became a comprehensive school in 1966 catering for pupils aged from 11 to 18 years.

And in September 2010 HRH the Duke of Gloucester officially opened the £32 million new building on the same campus.

The Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project was funded by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and includes a state-of-the-art all weather pitch with floodlighting.   

The successful school now has more than 1,000 students on roll and a thriving sixth form.

Jasper went on to study photography at Southend College  of Art.

In his current US exhibition he  uses Lambda print photography to offer a sociological study of men's sheds in Western Victoria, Australia.  

It was while travelling in the region the award-winning White discovered an unusual oasis. Rather than gathering at a bar, the local men congregate in their own sheds, which act as a welcome respite after a long workday. 

It is here, in machismo and memorabilia that men can meet with their friends in comfort and solidarity. 

Though, as Jasper quickly discovered, no two sheds are alike. 

Through White's photographs these spaces are revealed to be an allegorical picture of human individuality.

To view the Nailsea School photo gallery on Nailsea People click HERE. 

You can view Jasper's work online by clicking HERE.