Holocaust Memorial Day
In commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day on Thursday, 27th March, information and displays were on show around the College site and on the plasma screens on the Holocaust and genocides in other countries throughout the world. Tutors and staff incorporated commemorations into their schemes of work.
SURVIVING THE HOLOCAUST
Seven leading artists had been commissioned His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, to pay tribute to the stories of Holocaust survivors, each of whom in recent years has been honoured for services. Stanmore Art students were asked for their feedback on the portraits, which are being displayed in The Queen’s Gallery, Buckingham Palace every Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 27th January to 13th February 2022. Students were advised that tickets to view these masterpieces could be booked at https://www.rct.uk/collection/themes/exhibitions/seven-portraits-surviving-the-holocaust/the-queens-gallery-buckingham.
Comments from Stanmore College students included the following:
'It’s good that HRH Prince Charles is recognising this event with these paintings'
'The sitters look like they have no fear - probably because of what they have been through.'
In response to the teacher’s question… ‘why didn't they just take photos of the survivors instead of painting them?’ students replied…
'Well a painting gives more depth to their story than a photo -its takes more time and effort'
'The painting brings their story back to life.'
'The paintings are symbolic of their life stories'
'The sitters have a look of endurance'
The range of reactions indicate that artworks have helped to visually communicate the gravity of what human beings have had to suffer at the hands of others. They also convey how artworks can both be an outlet for trauma and capture the ongoing legacy of loss, desperation and exclusion. They bring to the fore the horrific effects of discrimination, segregation and extermination and the lifelong impact such experiences have on those who survive.
Stanmore student makes a video to commemorate Jewish lives lost
In addition to the above, student Mia Gold aka Frankie made a video called Holocaust Remembered.
In Frankie’s words…
‘Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day and I made this video to commemorate all the Jewish lives we lost and to acknowledge all the lives that survived the Holocaust many years ago. As a Jewish person myself, it means a lot to me to remember the Holocaust. it was a truly horrific event that happened and should never be repeated. About 6 million lives were lost and 5 million others targeted for their ideals, religious beliefs, race and many more. It makes me sick that this happened and for that reason both I and my fellow students would like to take a moment to remember and help put a light on the atrocity that is the Holocaust - Frankie Rae Gold, Stanmore Collage Student.’