Degree Shows 2018: an oasis of comfort, screaming houseplants and questioning mass consumption
We catch up with more Instagram posts by a-n members FK McLoone and Rebecca Ainsworth reflecting on shows in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Bolton.
After a brief break, the a-n degree shows takeovers returned with Dundee-based FK McLoone visiting the Masters fine art, Masters communication design and BA (Hons) fine art shows at Glasgow School of Art, followed by the BA (Hons) fine art show at Edinburgh College of Art for an “admittedly hectic” three days of “back-to-back” takeovers.
McLoone said it was “hard to capture everything going on at GSA’s MFA show, and near impossible to describe it” as she reflected on her favourite picks over a series of posts.
Sandy Harris’ installation at the Glue Factory where the MFA show is based, comprised of houseplants, SAD lamps and soft furnishings to create “an oasis of comfort in the distinctly uncomfortable warehouse environment.”
McLoone further explained: “It’s a conflict she is undoubtedly aware of, as she describes the way these comforts ‘simultaneously limit and endanger our personal growth’.”
Also in the MFA show, Nastia Nikolskaya’s wood and tarpaulin sculptures, “while unassuming from the outside”, said McLoone, “offer an unexpected moment of intimacy and reflection to the viewer once inside”.
In the communication design show at the GSA Reid Building, works by artists commenting on political and social issues caught McLoone’s attention.
Trackie McLeod’s ‘altered workwear’ references how “working class people spend the most on lottery tickets, yet do not have the benefits of lottery funding proportionally returned to them” said McLoone. While Kathryn McKenna’s work uses prescription pads and an 18-month planner “to illustrate the NHS’ failures of treating the mentally ill”.
At the “labyrinthine Tontine Building” the following day, McLoone offered this advice to visitors of the Glasgow School of Art undergrad show.
“Plan for a break! With well over 100 students showing work across fine art photography, sculpture and environmental art and painting, and printmaking, it’s easy to get fatigued attempting it all in one go.
“Thankfully, if you feel like you need to take a seat,” she continued, “Georgia Thornton Sparks is here to help. Her participatory piece ponders passivity with a plethora of portable perches.”
In a comment on her own Instagram, McLoone described the work of fine art photography graduate Flannery O’Kafka as “perfection”.
“In her fractured family album”, said McLoone, “O’Kafka presents a deeply introspective and beautifully shot study of personal grief.”
At the Edinburgh College of Art fine art degree show McLoone posted several images of Duanwisakha Cholsiri’s “temptingly tactile sculptures” explaining that the works “permanently teeter on the edge of collapse, demonstrating a clever use of materials and a fine-tuned understanding of balance”.
Also at the Edinburgh fine art show McLoone posted a video of Emily Dunlop’s “simultaneously horrifying and hilarious” screaming houseplants.
Alongside Protesting Plants, which McLoone described as an “interactive ethical dilemma”, Dunlop is exhibiting videos of “fruit going under the knife… An equally disturbing experience in a more hands-off manner,” said McLoone.
For her final post from her final takeover of this degree shows season McLoone selected Rohanie Campbell-Thakoordin’s multidisciplinary work Country the Country.
“There are lots of ambitious works on show at ECA, but none so ambitious as Campbell-Thakoordin’s Country the Country,” explained McLoone.
“Challenging the nature and limitations of artistic practice, Campbell-Thakoordin endeavours to establish a new nation built on cooperative values, independent learning and more pink tinsel than you can shake a colour-coordinated stick at.”
Rebecca Ainsworth’s final degree shows takeover focused on Bolton School of the Arts’ fine art show at University of Bolton.
Cheryl Dalton’s work in the show raises questions about over consumption and poverty in contemporary society.
“Viewers are invited to add their own drawing in ‘an edible square’ to complete the ‘need’ part of the artwork,” explained Ainsworth. “The resulting images signify that when we work together we can meet all of society’s needs.”
Also from the University of Bolton show, Rebecca Oxley’s multi-media print installation is displayed in a darkened space which, Ainsworth explained, gives the work an “eerie feel”.
“Oxley’s work focuses on identity,” she said. “And in particular the idea that identity is layered. Oxley explores ideas of ‘discovering character’, which is something we don’t often get the chance to do.”
The Glasgow School of Art MFA degree show and Edinburgh College of Art degree show continue until 10 June 2018; University of Bolton’s Creative Show 2018 continues until 21 June 2018.
Follow a-n on Instagram to catch all our degree shows takeovers
Next up: Janet Tryner visits Birmingham School of Art Graduate Show 2018 at Birmingham City University and Sam King begins his takeovers with a visit to Camberwell College of Arts Summer Shows 2018.
Images:
1. Sandy Harris, “When you rest you are a king surveying your estate” Manny Bianco, mixed media as part of Glasgow School of Art MFA degree show 2018. Photo: FK McLoone
2. Nastia Nikolskaya, Glasgow School of Art MFA degree show 2018. Photo: FK McLoone
3. Trackie McLeod and Kathryn McKenna as part of Glasgow School of Art Masters communication design show 2018. Photo: FK McLoone
4. Georgia Thornton Sparks, Glasgow School of Art BA (Hons) fine art show 2018. Photo: FK McLoone
5. Flannery O’Kafka, Glasgow School of Art BA (Hons) fine art show 2018. Photo: FK McLoone
6. Duanwisakha Cholsiri, Edinburgh College of Art BA (Hons) fine art 2018. Photo: FK McLoone
7. Emily Dunlop, Edinburgh College of Art BA (Hons) fine art 2018. Photo: FK McLoone
8. Rohanie Campbell-Thakoordin, Country the Country as part of Edinburgh College of Art BA (Hons) fine art 2018. Photo: FK McLoone
9. Cheryl Dalton, University of Bolton’s Creative Show 2018. Photo: Rebecca Ainsworth
10. Rebecca Oxley, University of Bolton’s Creative Show 2018. Photo: Rebecca Ainsworth
a-n Degree Shows Guide 2018
