Barnet and Southgate College Student, Celebrates Natural Afro Hair and Resilience at the Royal Academy of Arts Summer Show.
July 2026 Roots of Resilience, a striking ceramic sculpture by 17-year-old Barnet and Southgate College student Sachelle, who studies Art and Design, is now on free public display at the prestigious Royal Academy of Arts (RA). Selected from over 25,000 national submissions, the piece stands as a powerful, tactile exploration of identity, heritage, and the cultural narrative surrounding Black hair.
About the Artwork
Roots of Resilience is a sculpture that masterfully uses form, depth, and texture to celebrate the complex beauty of Afro hair.
Through intricately sculpted coils, braids, and patterns, Sachelle addresses the historical and ongoing struggles many face in seeking acceptance for natural hair. The piece actively challenges the systemic stigma and discrimination long associated with natural Black hair, transforming a historical pain point into a triumphant celebration of pride and cultural strength.
“This piece explores the beauty and complexity of Afro hair, using form and texture to highlight both personal identity and wider cultural narratives,” says Sachelle, who created the work during her creative studies at Barnet and Southgate College. “Through the sculpted coils and patterns, the work reflects on the struggles many people have faced in seeking acceptance… The piece becomes a celebration of resilience and pride.”
Exhibition and Voting Details
The Royal Academy’s eighth annual Young Artists’ Summer Show is a highly celebrated platform championing the UK’s next generation of creative minds. Sachelle’s sculpture is part of a curated selection displayed on-site at the RA’s Weston Studio in London.
To view Roots of Resilience, read more about the artist’s vision, and cast your vote to help the North London college student secure this year’s public award, visit the official Royal Academy Exhibition Portal.
