At the end of the spring term we were excited to share the success of Year 12 Nyla in the Articulation Prize. Run by The National Gallery, the annual Articulation Prize invites students aged 16-19 to give a 10-minute presentation to an audience about a work of art, architecture or an artefact of their choice in a museum or gallery setting. The presentations are then judged by adjudicators who assess based on content, structure, delivery and originality of approach and unique potential. Each school holds internal school heats first to choose a student to represent them at regional heats or finals held in galleries and museums across the UK.

We interviewed Nyla about her success in the competition – winning through a tough London Regional Final at the V&A Museum before performing incredibly well in the national final at the National Gallery, adjudicated by The National Gallery’s director Gabriele Finaldi.

What did you give your presentation on and why did you choose that?

“The artwork is called ‘Needling Whisper’ made by Korean artist Kyungah Ham in 2015. On the artwork the phrase ‘Big Smile’ a North Korean motto is written across it, which is ellipsed in bright colours and abstract patterns. My presentation is an exploration of a big smile seen throughout North Korean Propaganda art and Soviet Union propaganda art. I then drew connections to the reality of these controlled societies by showing photos from my mother’s childhood in the Soviet Union where it was not customary to smile in photos. I chose this artwork after I came across it while visiting the V&A. I found this artwork very striking as the phrase ‘big smile’ is not immediately apparent it is concealed behind the patterns. Also when I read the description and heard about the manufacturing process where it is designed in South Korea, then cut up and smuggled through the border to be hand embroidered by locals that are kept anonymous, I was immediately intrigued. It was then smuggled back to South Korea, put together and reassembled to be exhibited.”

How did it go on the day of the final and did you get any great  feedback from the judges?

“I have given my presentation formally three times at the Courtauld, V&A and the National Gallery. On the day of the first presentation at the Courtauld, I was quite nervous but I think it went well regardless. The adjudicator in his feedback detailed that I told a very interesting story and had successfully thrown light on a subject that many people don’t know too much about. He enjoyed how I effectively show the potential for art to be a starting point to bring to the fore bigger issues and that my presentation had led to unexpected places including different time periods and personal stories.

After the semi-final at the V&A the judge said she loved my speech and how I tied my personal connection with the artwork into the presentation. I also had a mentoring session with a representative at the National Gallery before the final.”

Did you learn anything from the experience?

“Absolutely, I learned so much about public speaking which I had never done previously before this. Although I still get nervous, through doing the speech many times I have become more familiar and comfortable with it. I also learned a lot about North Korea through my research to make the presentation and gained a deeper understanding of their customs and the relationship between North and South Korea as well as propaganda art as a whole.”

Photos credit to Hydar Dewachi.