Swooshing round in her floor-length green ‘visibility’ cloak, Lucy Hadfield from Herne Hill, is making a point about ageing and becoming more and more invisible. 

Sewn on to her cloak are motifs of things she holds dear, including her grandchildren, volunteering for Ruskin Park and messages about being in a later stage of life. 

“I decided to make this, as a positive declaration about ageing,” said Lucy. “There are so many good things to celebrate about this time of life. And by making it, feelings were reinforced.” 

Lucy, in her seventies, is one of 32 students exhibiting their final work from the Art Foundation course at CityLit, on display at the Department Store in Ferndale Road, Brixton this week. (18-21 June). 

“We have students from their twenties to their seventies on this course,” said Jera May, course leader.  

“Final projects are focusing on wellbeing, resilience, sustainability and community, celebrations of difference and cultural journeys, inspiring hopeful reflections on a year of intense creative dialogue”, she said. 

The youngest student is Mahdi Chowdhury, 21, from Islington, who said it has confirmed what he wants to do long term, Fashion Design.   

“It has allowed me to be fearless. I’ve found a voice.  More than anything, the nurturing and acceptance of both tutors and classmates is what’s been important,” he said. 

He will be making a garment, manipulating material and using sculptural approaches to make physical evocations of internal emotions. The work invites projection, a place where the audience sees what they want or fear to see; meaning is responsive and participatory.  

Mahdi has been accepted on the Fashion Design course at the University of Westminster.  

For Helen Goodenough, from Ealing, this course is a second chance. “I left school at 17 and worked as a school secretary for many years. I’ve always painted and drawn but decided it’s now or never. I’m finally giving art a chance.” 

For her final show, Helen is making several stand-alone films, capturing time, using painting, film and photography.  

“I want to continue experimenting with moving image and the process of creating,” she said. Helen has been accepted at Chelsea College of Art to study for a BA in Fine Art.  “This year has been a brilliant experience.”      

Film, textiles, ceramics, print, sculpture and contemporary practice will feature in the show, starting on Wednesday. (11-6pm -18 June)   

“The course has been an uplifting experience,” said Lucy. “Carrying on creating art will help to keep me healthy.” 

Proto- the final year show of City Lit Art Foundation diploma students is showing at the Department Store, Ferndale Road, Brixton, from 18-21 June.