ARTISTIC pupils sought influence from subjects varying from war to ‘art terrorist’ Banksy for their end of year show.

More than 1,000 works have gone on display at John Mason School in Abingdon, an exhibition open to the public during school hours until July 1.

It represents the efforts of 130 art, animation and graphic design pupils, who produced the works as part of their GCSE and A-levels.

The works, of pupils aged from 15 to 18 is hanging in the specialist art school’s 06 Gallery.

The space was built and opened in 2006 after the school was awarded the specialist visual and performing arts status and accompanying funding.

Work on show includes costumes, sculpture, product design, portraits, architecture, and animation.

Eighteen-year-old Harriet Allen’s Changed Creations is made up of suspended fighter plane models decorated by pilots’ letters home and identity tags.

She said the theme of the piece was communication in war.

She said: “The whole school is covered in art at the moment. It is nice having your work presented in some way.”

Sixteen-year-old GCSE student Josh Harrop made a plate sculpture inspired by American pop artist James Rosenquist.

He said: “Art is something I have looked forward to at school and it has been a hobby for the last three years.

“It is really inspiring to go to the exhibition and see everyone else’s work and look at their styles.

“Everyone at school is quite arty and we had a big year group taking the GCSE this year.”

The school’s director of creative arts, Claire Pennington, said: “I am extremely proud of every individual’s achievements, their progress and their dedication to their art and design studies.

“The hard work and effort it takes to display such a vast quantity of work is worth it to recognise and celebrate the students' success and give others the opportunity to be inspired by the work on show.”

Some of the students’ work will be shown at other schools.

Many of the students have won places to study art at college or university.

Ms Pennington added: “It is exciting to think what they will go on to create after they leave us.”

GCSE pupil Laura Sayers, 16, made a globe sculpture inspired by street artist Banksy.

She said: “I found it intimidating to see my work next to A-level work, which is such a high standard.”

Headteacher Di Mashiter said: “This year's exhibition has raised the standard yet again and is a testament to both the exceptionally talented young people and the remarkable commitment of our creative arts faculty, both of whom we are very proud of.”

Last year, 56 per cent of the school’s GSCE art students scored A* or A grades and all A-level pupils achieved A* to B grades.