Dover Court International School is proud to announce that Year 13 IB Diploma Programme students Allegra and Shya have reached the Grand Final of the Articulation Prize Singapore! Both students spoke impressively during the semi-finals at the National Gallery Singapore, captivating the judges with their outstanding presentations on selected artworks. Out of all the participating students in Singapore, Allegra and Shya have been selected as two of the final five candidates for the Grand Final. Their passion for art history, insightful analyses, and strong public speaking skills truly set them apart.
The Articulation Prize, co-organised by the National Gallery Singapore and the Singapore Art Museum in collaboration with the National Gallery in London, aims to inspire young individuals to appreciate and discuss art while building their confidence in expressing their thoughts and opinions.
As the Grand Final approaches, scheduled for 24th January, we had the opportunity to speak with Allegra and Shya about their preparation and experiences.
Selecting the Artworks
When asked how they selected their respective artworks, Allegra explained her choice of ‘Ivan the Terrible and His Son Ivan’. “I have always had a deep fascination for Russian culture, literature, and artwork, which I have previously chosen to explore in an academic setting and in my own free time. This painting, particularly, stood out because of its striking and unsettling depiction of loss. Initially, I felt sympathy for the father holding his deceased son, but my further research revealed the horrific truth behind the work. I found the painting’s themes of power, guilt, and humanity's complexity to be immensely powerful and intriguing, and I wanted to explore how art could influence perspective.”
Shya’s selection process also had personal significance. “I visited Casa Azul, Frida Kahlo’s museum, last summer in Mexico City and found ‘Viva La Vida’ there. Although it seemed quite ordinary compared to her famous pieces, it drew me in because it was her last painting, finished just a week before she passed away. Analysing it allowed me to convey Frida’s message about finding beauty in life’s imperfections, demonstrating her perseverance and love for all aspects of life.”
Preparation Journey
Allegra shared her excitement about the preparation process, stating, “Preparing for the Articulation Prize has been an incredible experience! I was able to explore my passion for Russian history and art further. Researching the painting was fascinating, and I enjoyed gaining a deeper understanding of the historical context, especially how the artistic choices helped to promote sympathy for Ivan the Terrible.”
Shya found the experience enjoyable yet slightly overwhelming due to simultaneous Year 13 IB mock exams. “It was a great way to take some time away from studying while still being productive,” she noted. Choosing ‘Viva La Vida’ by Frida Kahlo, a less-known painting, allowed her to dive deeply into her work. “Analysing it felt like putting together pieces of a puzzle to understand her techniques and the underlying message. The most exciting part was the opportunity to share my passion for Frida’s work, as she has influenced me since childhood. It felt like a full-circle moment, studying her work in Primary school and now presenting it just before graduating.”
Support from an Inspiring Teacher: Mrs Johnston
Both students credited Mrs Johnston for her invaluable support throughout the process. Allegra expressed gratitude, saying, “Mrs Johnston introduced me to this competition and has been immensely helpful in providing ideas for both content and structure. Without her input, my presentation wouldn’t have come together cohesively. Her feedback and encouragement have made this process so enjoyable.”
Shya shared similar feelings, remembering how Mrs Johnston, her English teacher during GCSEs, encouraged them to think outside of the box when analysing. “When articulating ‘Viva La Vida,’ Mrs Johnston pointed out the painting’s imperfections, helping me develop ideas about why it resonates so deeply despite not being technically perfect. It exemplifies Frida’s message about life’s beautiful flaws.”
Looking Forward
As the Grand Final approaches, Allegra hopes to gain valuable experience and build her public speaking confidence, particularly in analysing and explaining complex ideas and artwork. “I believe that the ability to articulate and express ideas and opinions in a cohesive and engaging manner is an essential skill, whether in an academic setting, the workforce, or everyday interactions,” she said.
Shya added, “This experience has encouraged me to critically evaluate knowledge rather than simply judge it as ‘good’ or ‘bad.’ This skill is transferable to every interaction and helps me gain a deeper understanding of information”. She also mentioned that she enjoys public speaking, and she found this opportunity to improve her time management skills, particularly due to the preparation done during their mock exams.
With their dedication and passion, Allegra and Shya have already made an impressive mark as finalists in the Articulation Prize. We wish them the best of luck in the Grand Finals!
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