By Abby Lenson, Year 10 student

The Year 10 art students at Radford College had the opportunity this past week to showcase their talents in an exhibition titled Beneath the Surface. Attendees were invited to explore the hidden layers and stories within each piece, challenging them to look beyond appearances and discover the emotions, messages, and techniques that shaped each work.

The theme Beneath the Surface resonated through diverse styles and mediums – from paintings and photography to sculpture and mixed-media installations. Each student interpreted the theme in a unique way, leading to a multifaceted exploration of ideas ranging from personal identity and social issues to nature and abstract concepts.

The theme was tied to the concept of identity, resonating deeply with the Year 10 students. For many of these young artists, the exploration of what lies beneath the surface became an introspective journey, one that allowed them to express layers of their own identities that aren’t immediately visible to the outside world. Through art, they revealed emotions, experiences, and thoughts that might otherwise remained hidden.