the-BA : Exceptional Youth

Lydia Arnold at the BA CREST Science Fair

Lydia Arnold, 18, Greater Manchester, has been selected to appear in Exceptional Youth, an exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, London.

Lydia won the top prize at the 2006 BA CREST Science Fair and went on to win the the Patent and Trademark Office Society Prize at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Indianapolis, USA.

Lydia impressed judges at both Fairs with her robotic hand that she designed and constructed. The hand could form the basis of technology for remote operations or prosthetic limbs.

So when photographer Emma Hardy was looking for talented young people to feature in Exceptional Youth, she was keen to meet Lydia and talk to her about her project.

Lydia's portrait will feature in the exhibtion alongside other bright young people such as Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe and footballer Theo Walcott.

Jenny Dyson, Teen Vogue, who helped devise the exhbition, comments on the series of portraits:
"This venture brings together a group of images of outstanding young people whose talent and drive prove it is possible for everyone to achieve great things and to make a difference."

Exceptional Youth is on display at the National Portrait Gallery from 28th October 2006 to 8th April 2007.