Degree Shows 2019: a poetic reflection on decomposition, mudlarking in the Thames, reflections on Brexit
The Cass Summer Show 2019, which includes work by graduating art, design and architecture students, takes place at the university’s East London campus located just a few hundred metres from a-n’s London office. Stephen Palmer took time out to visit a-n’s nearest art school neighbours and post highlights from the Fine Art and Photography shows on a-n’s Instagram.
In the Fine Art show, which is spread over four floors of the university’s Calcutta Annexe building, Shantel Sibanda’s installation of paintings titled ‘Body Images’ (top) reflects on both selfie culture and the history of western painting, through reference to artists such as Raphael, Paul Cézanne and Lucian Freud.
Palmer explained: “As a black artist with Zimbabwean and Jamaican heritage she seeks to readdress the balance of male dominated art history towards a more complex, gendered and cultural representation.”
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Posting several images and a video of Cells by Lea Barre, Palmer described the work as having a “somewhat haunting futuristic beauty”.
He continued: “In her statement Lea says the work is designed to be an ‘immersive viewer centred experience’ that ‘suggests a poetic reflection on decomposition, since decay is relentlessly present in all the materials and forms presented’. It is certainly a piece that needs to be experienced in the real.”
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Shirley Allen’s Juice Me Up explores the ‘opinions and adventures’ of fictional character Diego Montoya Maestro, using a ‘contemporary Pop Art style’ as Allen explains in her statement.
“Diego clearly has a rich and varied life and maybe eats too much chocolate,” commented Palmer in his post.
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Our effect in the environment was explored by several artists in the Photography show, which also takes place in the Calcutta Annexe building.
Angela Blažanović’s Fragments of the River is described by the artist as reimagining ‘the lost narratives of discarded objects found along the River Thames’.
“These stunningly beautiful still life works, which are both sculptural and painterly, cleverly create anew from the discarded detritus of the everyday whilst also recording the finds of a contemporary mudlarker,” said Palmer.
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Also from the Photography show, Olivia Hansson’s Plastic Wasteland explores the use of plastic within fashion and how it is polluting our environment. Hansson collaborated with textile students, models and make-up artists to create this series of images, printed using eco-friendly materials, and an accompanying fashion magazine.
The Cass Summer Show 2019 continues until 30 June 2019.
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We begin a look back at Nicola Naismith’s takeover from the Norwich University of the Arts Degree Shows with her final post in which she explained her rationale for sharing work by graduating students from the Fine Art, Textiles, Fashion and Illustration shows “through a collaboration of sorts”.
“My photographic images of their pieces, installations and creations are posted along with their own words about the work as far as was possible. At this time, what the artists choose to say about their own work is perhaps the most important thing…”
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From the Fine Art show, Rosie Green says her sculptural installation Wunderkammer explores ‘the nature of sculpture practice in relation to spontaneity, unfamiliarity and sensory connection’.
She adds: ‘Despite traces of familiarity throughout, [these works] are at the same time nonrepresentational. No one answer. Encouraging speculation and sparking conversation.’
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Chloe Hawes’ painted installation SG62 Collection makes an architectural reference to the space in which the work was created and exhibited, studio SG62 at Norwich University of the Arts.
‘This site-specific piece acts as an extension of SG62, leading out of the walls and floor of the space to become part of it,’ says Green.
‘The SG62 Collection showcases the build-up of my development into architecture and abstraction and brings the two together for this installation to enhance the audience’s view of the space.’
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Among those making work about social and political issues, Sarah Adams’ Retailored is described by the artist as ‘a bold and provocative statement on the effects of workplace bullying’.
‘The concepts here are based on real-life experiences,’ says Adams.
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Louisa Marriott has created an installation that ‘reflects the ongoing Brexit ordeal’.
‘The title 48:52 references the Brexit referendum result, a split also reflected in the blocks of colour canvases, with the percentage of each canvas matching the ratio of votes for remaining or leaving the EU.’
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From the Textiles show, Kayla Leveridge describes herself as a ‘Creative Designer for Charities’.
‘For my final project I have worked with CAMFED, Campaign for Female Education, a non-profit organisation that is supporting girls to go to school and succeed within rural Africa,’ she says. ‘My project shows a protest-led approach to raise awareness for CAMFED.’
A final word from Nicola Naismith, reflecting once again on her decision to let the graduating artists speak for themselves about their work: “How we describe ourselves as creative practitioners often changes as we change, as our work changes, as society changes and the place and value of the arts shifts.
“Knowing who we are creatively and professionally can help us do our best work and make our most useful contribution.”
Norwich University of the Arts Degree Shows continue until 3 July.
Follow #andegrees19 on Instagram to catch up with all our Degree Shows posts from shows in Chatham, London, Dundee, Edinburgh, Salford, Glasgow, Nottingham, Bolton, Bath, Bristol, Newcastle, Aberdeen, Manchester and Norwich.
Images:
1. Shantel Sibanda, ‘Body Images’, The Cass Summer Show 2019. Photo: Stephen Palmer
2. Lea Barre, Cells, The Cass Summer Show 2019.
3. Shirley Allen, Juice Me Up, The Cass Summer Show 2019.
4. Angela Blažanović, ‘Fragments of the River’, The Cass Summer Show 2019.
5. Olivia Hansson, ‘Plastic Wasteland’, The Cass Summer Show 2019.
6. Norwich University of the Arts, BA (Hons) Fine Art Catalogue 2019.
7. Rosie Green, Wunderkammer, Norwich University of the Arts Degree Shows 2019.
8. Chloe Hawes, SG62 Collection, Norwich University of the Arts Degree Shows 2019.
9. Sarah Adams, Retailored, Norwich University of the Arts Degree Shows 2019.
10. Louisa Marriott, 48:52, Norwich University of the Arts Degree Shows 2019.
11. Kayla Leveridge, Norwich University of the Arts Degree Shows 2019.
