Key Points
- National Achievement: Sachelle Davis, a 17-year-old art and design student at Barnet and Southgate College, has had her sculpture selected for the Royal Academy of Arts’ eighth annual Young Artists’ Summer Show.
- Competitive Selection: Her work was chosen from a highly competitive pool of over 25,000 national submissions.
- Artistic Focus: The sculpture, titled Roots of Resilience, is a ceramic piece that explores the “complex beauty” of Afro hair, serving as a tactile commentary on identity, heritage, and cultural narratives.
- Public Display: The artwork is currently on free public display at the Royal Academy of Arts’ Weston Studio in Burlington House, Piccadilly, London.
- Exhibition Purpose: The Young Artists’ Summer Show is a celebrated platform designed to champion and showcase the next generation of creative talent in the UK.
London (Extra London News) July 17, 2026 – A striking ceramic sculpture created by a 17-year-old Barnet and Southgate College student has been selected for display at the prestigious Royal Academy of Arts in London. The piece, titled Roots of Resilience, was chosen for the institution’s eighth annual Young Artists’ Summer Show, a highly regarded platform that highlights emerging creative talent from across the United Kingdom. Standing as a powerful exploration of identity and cultural narrative, the sculpture was selected following an intensive nationwide search that received over 25,000 entries.
What is the inspiration behind ‘Roots of Resilience’?
The artist behind the piece, Sachelle Davis, who resides in New Southgate, developed the sculpture while studying at the Barnet and Southgate College’s High Barnet campus. According to the report by Barnet Post, Davis intended for the work to serve as a deep exploration of the “complex beauty” associated with Afro hair.
Speaking on the creative process and the thematic goals of her work, Davis stated:
“This piece explores the beauty and complexity of Afro hair, using form and texture to highlight both personal identity and wider cultural narratives.”
She further elaborated on the social messaging embedded in the ceramic coils and patterns, noting that the work serves as a broader reflection on societal experiences. “Through the sculpted coils and patterns, the work reflects on the struggles many people have faced in seeking acceptance,” Davis said, as quoted by the Barnet Post. “The piece becomes a celebration of resilience and pride.”
Where can the public view the artwork?
The sculpture is currently housed in the Weston Studio within the historic Burlington House in Piccadilly. Its inclusion in the Royal Academy of Arts’ eighth annual Young Artists’ Summer Show places Davis’s work alongside a curated selection of some of the most promising young artists in the country.
The exhibition is open to the public free of charge, offering visitors the opportunity to engage with the themes of identity and heritage that Davis has woven into her ceramic work. The platform itself is widely recognised as a significant stepping stone for young creators, acting as a national stage for those entering the creative industries.
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How can the public support the student artist?
Beyond the prestige of the exhibition, there is an ongoing opportunity for the public to show further support for the North London student. As highlighted in the report by the Barnet Post, viewers are invited to visit the Royal Academy’s dedicated exhibition portal to view the piece and participate in a public vote. This vote helps contribute toward the college student’s eligibility for this year’s public award, providing an additional layer of recognition for her contribution to the showcase.
The selection of Davis’s work from a field of 25,000 entries serves as a testament to both the quality of art education at Barnet and Southgate College and the burgeoning talent of the next generation of UK artists. By combining traditional ceramic techniques with contemporary discourse on cultural identity, Roots of Resilience has successfully earned its place at one of the UK’s most storied artistic institutions.
