Written by Keira, Year 12
On Monday the 10th of June, we welcomed Will Gompertz, esteemed journalist, author and art critic, to our school for an engaging and entertaining talk on the importance of art and what it means to him.
The night started with drinks on the terrace before Will began, speaking about how art is a fundamental expression of human beings and that it is what differentiates us from other animals and defines us as a species.
He challenged the stigma that “anyone can do art”, emphasising its depth and complexity. He also discussed the high cost of art degrees and how this deters many from pursuing them- advocating that everyone should study art and be the center of the curriculum because it teaches you to ask questions and enriches creativity and critical thinking. He addressed the common misconception that art is a less academic subject, pushing for the recognition of its intellectual and cultural value, whilst sharing numerous stories of artists like Cezanne whom he loves.
Overall, it was very insightful to hear about Will’s expertise and personal experiences- everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening!