Smethwick student showcasing Zephaniah artwork at London gallery

It won the People's Choice Award 2024 at the Royal Academy of Arts 'Young Artist' Summer Show

Published 15th Dec 2024

A Year 8 student from Smethwick said he still can't believe his artwork of poet and activist Benjamin Zephaniah has been put on display in a London gallery.

Izaan Ahmed entered his soft pastel drawing into the Royal Academy of Arts 'Young Artists' Summer Show.

He was one of 21,500 submissions from young artists across the UK, and won the People's Choice Award 2024.

Izaan explained that Zephaniah's poems were inspiring to him: "Coming to Britain, from my home country, his poems really gave me an overview of what diversity is like in Britain."

Fellow pupils at his school, Shireland Collegiate Academy, managed a trip to London to see the artwork in the exhibition.

**_"It took me a week to understand what was going on"_**

"In my head, I draw just for myself because I want to hone my skills. Then, my teacher decided to put it into a competition which I agreed to.

"I thought I had placed in the top ten or top 100. Then I asked my teacher and she told me I had won, because so many people had voted for me.

"It took me a week to understand what was actually going on," Izaan said.

He is already planning his submission for next year.

"I want to do a piece on Stormzy. He provided loads of black children with education and resources.

"I really admire him for that, that's why I decided to go for him when it comes to my next Royal Academy submission," Izaan said.

The artwork was displayed both online and at a physical exhibition in July and August this year.

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