The Royal Hospital School (RHS) in Holbrook, Suffolk, has announced its pupils have excelled at the Anna Airy Award Exhibition, including taking home the overall award for the second year in a row alongside a number of other accolades.

The annual Anna Airy Award Exhibition showcases emerging artistic talent among young people in the local area between the ages of 16 and 20 years. The work was displayed in the University of Suffolk Waterfront Building, from 16th November until 5th December.

Obi Ihenacho, a Year 13 RHS pupil, was announced as the overall winner for his painting 'Head', receiving a prize of £100 from the Ipswich Art Society. Year 13 Pupils Millie D and Charlotte A also received 'Star Student' awards for their artwork. 

Judge Dr Matthew Bowman, Lecturer in Arts at the University of Suffolk commended the work of RHS pupils and the overall winner Obi: "It has been a pleasure looking at all the submissions for 2024. The willingness to experiment with mediums, examine one's identity, and take time to look slowly and carefully is evident in all these works by young artists. And that serves as a wonderful rebuttal to all those who imagine the young people are more distracted by their phones than attentive to the world! It's also a testament to the importance of art education and the significance of art in our society. My only complaint is that with a such a variety of great work by emerging artists it becomes really, really hard to judge.  

"Head caught my attention very quickly. The calm gaze of the eyes calls out to the viewer and compels them to respond. But especially striking here was the interplay between the head—depicted through a range of painterly marks and colouristic effects—and the support itself, with its varied patterning. It is through that vibrant interplay, rather than solely focusing on the face, that the sitter's identity is examined. Painting, and personal identity, becomes a kind of collage."

Harriet Barber, Head of Art at RHS.

Harriet Barber, Head of Art at RHS, commented: "'Every year the Anna Airy award showcases some of the best creative talent in the region with over 10 local schools and colleges submitting work by their students. This year was no exception, and we are incredibly proud of the 17 RHS artists whose work we showcased at the exhibition. For one of our artists to be the overall winner, for the second year in a row, is such a superb achievement and Obi's outstanding piece thoroughly deserves this accolade - amongst such an outstanding exhibition of work, 'Head' really shone as a worthy winner!"

17 pupils from RHS exhibited their art this year. In addition to the aforementioned Obi, Charlotte and Millie, Sam R, David O, Ruby K, Grace H, Ava B, Ameilia P, Nina O, Molly W, Izzy B, Sam P, Sophia K, Scarlett M, Lucy G and Jemima M also showcased their talents.