A-Level Artists enjoy an action-packed series of gallery visits and an exclusive tour of Sotheby's

April 22nd 2026

On Wednesday, 22nd April, our A Level Art cohort travelled to London for an action-packed series of gallery visits and an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the Sotheby’s auction house.

We began at the V&A South Kensington, delving into a vast range of collections, from the historic plaster cast courts to contemporary creative residency displays. As a truly global destination for art and design, the museum provided a wealth of inspiration before we made our way toward Piccadilly Circus and split into two groups.

During the afternoon, the Art Historians had the privileged opportunity to go behind the scenes at Sotheby’s. This fascinating tour began with Will Pitt and Alina Davey, who shared expert insights into the business of art. Founded in 1744 on the Strand, Sotheby’s now operates across 80 countries with a ‘Source Locally, Sell Centrally’ philosophy.

We learned that major auctions typically require three to four months of intensive preparation. Alina kindly led us through the galleries as they prepared for the upcoming Orientalist, Indian, and Islamic Art auction. It was incredible to see the level of activity required to catalogue and display these artefacts before they go under the hammer next week. We look forward to returning for the Arts & Crafts themed auction in June for a chance to experience a live auction. Exciting times ahead, and a huge thank you to the team for inviting our pupils behind the scenes!

Flickr album: Art & History of Art Trip to London - 22nd April 2026 | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin

Moving on, we enjoyed a sun-soaked lunch break at The Royal Academy, gathering near the sculpture of founding figure Joshua Reynolds in Burlington House courtyard. Refocusing our attention on the galleries, we delved into Michaelina Wautier’s figurative and mythological body of work. As a rediscovered 17th-century trailblazer, this progressive exhibition gave our Art Historians insight into reinterpreting the past beyond the established norm.

The RA is a unique, artist-led independent gallery. We also explored the RA School programme, viewing the plaster casts of classical antiquity in the basement followed by 'Premiums', an exhibition of work by second-year students.

Meanwhile, our artists explored Tate Modern to immerse themselves in contemporary installations and global modernism. The highlight was the retrospective of Tracey Emin, titled A Second Life. This powerful exhibition showcased her autobiographical and provocative style, featuring a raw, confessional approach spanning four decades of her career.

Overall, this was a highly beneficial trip to kick-start our L6th Personal Investigation projects, helping pupils add depth and breadth to their initial individual themes.

Freya: ‘I was truly fascinated by our London trip, particularly the Tracey Emin exhibition. I was inspired by the way she translates personal life experiences into her work, spanning everything from painting and sculpture to film and textiles. This has encouraged me to become a 'personal storyteller' in my future projects, aiming to create an emotional connection with my audience. The V&A also offered a fantastic variety of media, such as ceramics and bronze sculpture, which has influenced me to experiment more broadly. I especially enjoyed the Chinese galleries and can already envision how that cultural aesthetics will inform my next piece.’

Lily: ‘I found a huge amount of inspiration at the V&A, where I explored how architectural designs and patterns can be used to express complex emotions. Many of these designs relate directly to my current theme of 'Interior and Exterior.' I was also particularly interested in the Nigerian Modernism exhibition at the Tate Modern, which explored ideas of identity and environment. It made me consider how inner experiences can be reflected through external spaces, a concept I am eager to develop further in my own studio work.’