A telegram from Lisbon to the Foreign Office, 20 August 1944. Catalogue ref: FO 916/847

Artworks inspired by documents found in The National Archives

Capturing our Collections: Art Competition 2021-2022

In October 2021, The National Archives Education Service launched our first National Art Competition called ‘Capturing our Collections’, which closed at the end of February 2022.

We wanted to encourage the entrants to think about the importance of using historical documents in exploring the stories of people or social and political themes in history. We therefore challenged our entrants to create their own artwork inspired by documents from our collection – such as letters, posters, photographs, newspapers, census records, maps, reports, wax seals or written testimonies. Potential documents could, for example, be found in the related resources to the right.

We gave them three potential themes to respond to: Equity, Freedom, and Belonging.

We hoped that the entries would show a connection to one or more National Archives document(s), show intent and purpose, cover a mix of media and forms from 2D to 3D – and would inspire!

We received over 120 entries. The overwhelming majority came from Key stage 3 and a few from Key stage 2. Therefore, our prizes have been awarded to six entries within Key stage 3 and one entry from Key stage 2. We want to say a huge thank you to all who entered; it was a real privilege to receive your work. We also want to thank our wonderful guest judges:

• Lynn Pomfrett, fine arts graduate and postgraduate in film, has had a highly successful career in costumes, working on many BAFTA- and Oscar-nominated  and winning productions. She re-trained as an art teacher and has since worked extensively across state schools in South East London.
• Gilroy Brown has worked in education for over 40 years, including 10 years as head teacher of an inner city primary school, 11 years as a school advisor, and as principal of an all-ages free school.
• Sarah Dickinson trained at Camberwell College of the Arts in textile design and painting. Her main interest is landscape painting in oils on location. Abstraction and colour are her focus, along with a special interest in drawing.

All of the judges agreed that it was an inspirational experience and very difficult to choose the final winners. We are showcasing the winners above along with shortlisted entries. You can read some of the judges’ comments on the winning entries by clicking on them.

Each of the winners will receive a £30 Amazon voucher to buy art materials and a goody bag from The National Archives shop.

Vicky Iglikowski-Broad introduces FO95/604, the calling card of Chevalier D’eon.

Ralph Thompson introduces PRO 30/55/19 De Galvez’s authorisation of Poucha Houmas (3 Oct 1779) and the Carleton Papers, documents related to Colonial America.

Extract from the Daily Mail entitled ‘Women who pose as men: An army Surgeon’s Career’, 27 August 1910, from Dr James Barry’s personal file. Catalogue ref: WO 25/3910

 

Please note that the tone and language used in article are of their time and unacceptable today. The questions are based on a short extract taken from the article. The whole article is also available for further investigation. 

Extract from a letter written by Edward Bradford, Deputy-Inspector-General of Hospitals published under the heading, ‘The Reputed Female Army Surgeon’ in the Medical Times & Gazette, 9 September 1865. Catalogue ref: WO 138/1 

 

Shortly after Dr Barry’s death, his history was reported without respect for his personal life in this publication.

Extract from a letter from Dr McKinnon in reply to George Graham [see Source 7], 24 August 1865, Catalogue ref: WO 138/1 

Letter from George Graham, Registrar General at General Register Office for the registration of births, marriages and deaths in England and Wales, to Staff Surgeon D.R. McKinnon [see Source 6]. 23 August 1865. Catalogue ref: WO 138/1 

Letter to J.B. Gibson, Director General for Army Medical Department from Senior Surgeon D.R. McKinnon, Major. 25 July 1865. Catalogue ref: WO 138/1 

A third extract from a document entitled ‘Memorandum of the Services of Dr James Barry Inspector General of Hospitals’. This was written by Dr Barry at the end of his career after serving in Canada when he returned to London in 1859, although the date stamp on the document is not clear. Catalogue ref: WO 138/1