Abstraction is a common thread running through the current collection exhibition. But what does ‘abstract’ actually mean, and what does abstract art look like? The paintings take us through the history of concrete and abstract art from the 1930s to the present day. In playful exercises, the students write down a recipe for a concrete picture, for example, or create their own variation using geometric shapes.

After trying out various techniques, pupils from Cycle 3 onwards create their own abstract or concrete painting in the studio.