Keeping it real with Kennington Kids

Dulwich Picture Gallery's award winning education department, headed by author and arts ambassador, Gillian Wolfe CBE, has brought its youth art exhibition to City Hall.

The gallery, which has been holding free art workshops at Alford House Youth Club for the past six years, encouraged teenagers from neighbouring council estates to take part in the sessions. The aim of the project was to get young people off the streets and help them channel their energies constructively through art.

The result was Kennington Kids: Raw Urban, a collection of vibrant and highly original works of art created by young Londoners, which don't fail to impress. Convincing the youths, predominantly young boys, to try their hand at painting and silk screen printing posed a challenge. They initially dismissed it as 'geeky' and 'uncool', but once a few took part, the workshops sparked the curiosity of more young would-be artists.

Ranging from Warholesque inspired pop art to collages of Old Master prints adorned with contemporary images of bling and disco balls, the exhibition is playful as it is innovative. The artworks reflect images that saturate aspects of London's street youth culture. Hooded youths, music icons, and the artists themselves are the subjects that line City Hall's Lower Ramp and Café, complete with a few Old Masters brought up to date with a modern makeover.

For an exhibition showcasing the talent of teenagers with no formal training in art, this is where it's at.

www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk