Our Abbey Art Scholars recently enjoyed an unforgettable trip to London, immersing themselves in the bold, creative, and thought-provoking world of street art.
The day began with a visit to the Banksy exhibition, where students explored a wide range of his work and learned more about the messages behind his art. For many, seeing Banksy’s work up close was a powerful experience. Thimuthu described it as “surreal,” saying she learned “so much about what he paints, the process, and how powerful his messages are.”
Vamika also enjoyed the exhibition, explaining that students “roamed around and learned a lot about him,” and especially loved how creative the rooms were. Aarushi agreed, saying the exhibition was “so fascinating and enjoyable” and inspired her to look more closely at Banksy’s ideas and techniques.
After the exhibition, students travelled to the famous Leake Street graffiti tunnel for a hands-on spray-painting workshop led by artist in residence Marc Craig. The tunnel immediately made an impression. Leehana described it as “full of colour and creativity,” while Marina said she was amazed by “how many art pieces there were and how much creativity people had put in.”
The spray-painting workshop quickly became a highlight of the day. Students were able to experiment with techniques, explore colour and layering, and create their own work directly on the walls. Vamika said her favourite part was “getting the chance to spray paint on the walls” and praised the staff for giving students a guided tour. Kiara described the experience as “really inspiring for art scholars, or even someone who isn’t one.”
Many students enjoyed the freedom to experiment. Leehana said spray painting was the best part because it was “hands-on and we could do whatever we wanted,” while Marina loved being able to “freestyle on the walls” and create her own galaxy-themed piece. Lauren summed up the atmosphere perfectly, calling the workshop “fun, creative, and inspiring,” and said it was an experience she would “totally do again.”
Students also expressed their gratitude for the opportunity. Margaret said she was “really happy” to have taken part and learned “so much about Banksy and spray painting,” while Thimuthu said she was so impressed that she had been “recommending it to my friends” afterwards. Many students thanked the Art Department for organising such a memorable and inspiring experience.
Overall, the trip gave Art Scholars the chance to engage directly with contemporary art, build confidence, and explore creativity in a real-world setting. It was a truly memorable day that will continue to inspire students in their work back in the studio.
The Art Scholars 2025-6