Several months after submitting her Art IGCSE exam piece, Izzy received a surprising piece of news: she had just been awarded the highest IGCSE art grade in the whole of Japan.
To celebrate her fantastic achievement, we visited Izzy and RSJ’s Head of Art to hear about her artistic journey, and to learn how she created her masterpiece.
A Unique Angle
When presented with the theme of “Power” for her art project, Izzy approached it from a unique angle—one that combined her love for science with her passion for art. “I’m more interested in the science side of power,” she explains. “So I looked at the physics aspect, which involves things like plasma balls, light bulbs, and flames.”
Izzy’s artwork delves into the visual manifestations of power through electricity and light. Her creative process started with experimenting using a combination of ink and bleach, which gave her pieces a striking golden effect. “The bleach gave it that golden effect, similar to how electricity looks when captured on camera,” she describes. This technique allowed her to replicate the vivid colors and energy of plasma, adding depth and dynamism to her work.
Combining science and art
Her final piece brought together elements from her scientific exploration. “I thought about other equipment you’d use in a lab, like Bunsen burners and circuits,” she says. “So I decided to photograph light bulbs and flames, then used Photoshop to create a composition for the artwork.”
Throughout the creative process, Izzy incorporated a variety of media, including oil paint to emphasize the light bulbs, and used a brush effect to convey bursts of energy—reminiscent of the plasma ball she had been inspired by. “The light bulbs are the main focus of the painting, but the brush strokes add that energy,” she explains.
“Challenging but Rewarding”
Izzy admits that completing the course in just one year was challenging but rewarding. “It was rigorous, but my art teacher, Ms Hampson, gave feedback every step of the way,” she says. “The small class size meant I received individual guidance, whether it was about moving from one piece to the next or during photo shoots.”
Ms Hampson also provided valuable drop-in sessions outside of regular class hours, allowing students like Izzy to work on their art and journaling. “The journaling is really important,” Izzy emphasizes. “It helps document the process of how ideas evolve from one piece to the next. I couldn’t have done it without the support, and I’d really like to thank Ms Hampson.”
What Ms Hampson Had to Say about Izzy’s Incredible Achievement
For Ms Hampson, Izzy’s success is a testament to both her talent and the supportive environment at Rugby School Japan. “Our main focus in the GCSE art program is to build processes for students—helping them feel confident in their work and giving them direction, so their creations feel very individual,” she explains. “The fact that we have small class sizes allows us to provide really personal feedback.”
Ms Hampson emphasizes the value of one-on-one support, which is made even more accessible to boarding students like Izzy. “As a boarder, students can come in the evenings or early mornings to work on projects. That extra studio time and access to materials really makes a difference,” she adds.
Reflecting on Izzy’s journey, Ms Hampson is proud of her achievements. “Izzy is very talented and passionate about the arts, and as an art scholar, she’s brought so much to the department and the school’s co-curricular life,” she says. “Her hard work has paid off, as she’s been awarded a very high mark for her GCSE work.”
Encouraging Creativity at Rugby School Japan
When asked how Rugby School Japan (RSJ) fosters creativity and exploration in the arts, Ms Hampson highlights the school’s excellent facilities and co-curricular programs. “We’re very lucky at RSJ to have great studios where students can explore different media, from printmaking and sculpture to painting,” she explains.
Beyond academic lessons, students are encouraged to engage in a variety of artistic activities. “We run workshops ranging from fun sculpture projects to more academic art history sessions,” Ms Hampson says. “This allows students to give back to the community while also enhancing their own artistic journeys.”
For Izzy, this supportive environment, combined with her passion for both science and art, allowed her to create a powerful and deeply personal interpretation of the theme. And for Ms Hampson, seeing students like Izzy thrive is a reflection of the school’s commitment to fostering creativity and confidence in young artists.
