For my ‘Shape our Lives’ project I wanted to look at war in the Middle East and it’s effects on people. I decided to carry on with this as best I could during lockdown.

I used artists such as Ciara Phelan, Eugenia Loli and Maurizio Anzeri to produce samples in collage and thread. Ultimately I planned to produce a 3D piece, but I could also have added print and digital work to my project if I was in college.

The message behind these images is that people sometimes cannot express their emotions, and particularly their need for freedom, with words, because they are being oppressed. You can see people’s emotions through their eyes and my message in this sample is that the word freedom is seen through the eyes of this little girl. The birds also represent freedom.

What have I learnt from this course?

During this course I’ve learnt about lots of new materials, new artists and techniques that I had no knowledge of. I’ve learnt about new places during trips that I can visit if I need to do research about certain artists. These were very useful for me. I’ve also learnt a lot about drawing, print, painting and photography, for example, how to use photoshop.

What is my advice for anyone joining the course?

For anyone starting this course I would recommend you to not be nervous, you start everything from zero and that is very helpful because you don’t have to catch up on anything previous. But also if you do know some things, you have the opportunity to develop and practise. Also, you will surely end up making new friends and the teachers are all very nice and very helpful.

I am progressing onto Level 3 Art in September.