SFC1 London Trip To Tate Modern And The Royal Academy Of Arts

Last week, SFC1 students had the opportunity to travel to London for a full day of gallery visits, including the Tate Modern and the Royal Academy of Arts.

At the Tate the group explored thought-provoking installations from Do Ho Suh, an internationally renowned Korean artist, whose large-scale fabric works recreate domestic spaces in intricate, translucent detail. Students were struck by the way Suh’s work conveys themes of home, memory, and belonging, prompting them to reflect on how environments shape identity. Many commented on how moving it was to walk through spaces that felt both familiar and dreamlike. They were also impressed by the artist’s skill in transforming something as simple as a corridor into an immersive, emotional experience.

After a lunch break by the Thames, students made their way across London by tube to the Royal Academy of Arts, where they visited the exhibition Anselm Kiefer: Fin de Siècle, shown in dialogue with selected works by Vincent van Gogh. The juxtaposition of Van Gogh’s intimate, expressive paintings with Kiefer’s monumental, layered canvases provided a rich context for discussion. Students considered how both artists grapple with themes of struggle, resilience, and beauty, albeit in very different ways. For many, seeing Van Gogh’s iconic brushwork up close was both inspiring and humbling, while Kiefer’s powerful use of scale and materials left a strong impression.

Throughout the day, the group demonstrated exemplary behaviour, engaging thoughtfully with the artworks and producing valuable sketches and written responses. The experience of seeing these significant works in person was both enriching and motivating, offering students new perspectives that will undoubtedly inform their own creative practice. Students showed maturity, curiosity, and respect during this memorable and rewarding visit.

Miss Arlington, Teacher of Art

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