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A pop-up book, a bouncy castle, and a documentary on Chinese advertising are among the highlights of an exhibition of MA students work currently on show at the University of East London (UEL) School of Architecture and the Visual Arts in Docklands.
The show - open to the public from Friday 1 September until Monday 4 September - includes work from 39 students graduating from Master of Arts programmes in Fine Art, Art in Architecture, Graphic Design and International Contemporary Art and Design Practice.
Susan Price Univerity of East London’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, opened the exhibition at a private view on Thursday 31 August. Susan said: “Events of this kind are particularly important because they focus on what’s at the core of the University of East London – our students and their achievements. I’ve been terrifically impressed by what I’ve seen; some of the work has made me smile, some has left me technologically stunned and some has just made me want to immediately take it home.”
Pete Cobb, Subject Director for Fine Art and Digital Arts and Visual Communication (DAVC) at UEL, said: “This is the first time that DAVC students have held an assessed MA show alongside Fine Art and I'm very impressed by the quality of work within both fields. The bar has been set extremely high for future years, and the diversity of the work demonstrates the truly international nature of our MA programmes.”
University of East London’s School of Architecture and the Visual Arts was opened in 2004 by Turner Prize-winning artist Grayson Perry and offers dedicated, purpose-built studios and workshops, together with impressive exhibition space to provide an ideal venue for Fashion, Fine Art, Architecture and Design shows.
Artists exhibiting at the MA show include:
Julia Froehlich (25), of Bethnal Green, has created an abridged pop-up version of Lewis Carroll’s classic book 'Through the Looking Glass' as part of her MA in International Contemporary Art and Design Practice. Julia said: “I’ve really enjoyed myself at Univeristy of East London and am now looking forward to starting a career in graphic design or illustration. My designs are inspired by Aubrey Beardsley who created black and white prints for Oscar Wilde books during the late 19th Century – the golden age of illustration.”
Lisa Smith (32), of Basildon, has created a large-scale piece called Retro Bouncy Castle for the MA show. Lisa, who has now completed both a BA and an MA in Fine Art at University of East London, said: “This work is all about memories and regressing back to my childhood. The words written on the bouncy castle inspire people to remember the 1980s and jump around like the excitable little kids we all used to be.
“I’m interested in art that people can interact with on a physical as well as a mental and emotional level. University of East London helped fund the castle alongside Basildon District Council, which is typical of the support I’ve received while studying here.”
Reinhard Krug (24), of Baker Street, exhibited a documentary on Chinese advertising that has been the major focus of his MA in International Contemporary Art and Design Practice. Reinhard, originally from Germany, said: “Mass advertising is still a relatively new phenomenon in China and it’s been extremely interesting to see how people are accepting it and how new methods are being developed to communicate with Chinese consumers.
“It’s also been great to conduct such extensive research in China itself. I’ve had my mind set on this project for well over a year and I’m very proud to have actually achieved it.”
Melanie Stapleton (44), of Wickford, undertook a part-time MA in Fine Art: Studio Practice while working as artist-in-residence at Sweynepark School in Rayleigh. Melanie said: “I did my Fine Art degree at University of East London and enjoyed it so much that I came back to do an MA. It’s been a great two years – a really challenging and rewarding learning curve that’s definitely given me much more confidence as an artist.
“My work on the MA has involved old fragments of pottery, glass and iron that I picked up on the beach at Southend. I researched their origins, talked to local residents about their history and produced artworks that brought them together in new forms that reflect their journey and spirit.”
Konstantina Kapamidou (28), of Bethnal Green, has successfully completed her MA in Fine Art: Studio Practice. Konstantina, originally from Greece, said: “I’ve had a great year at University of East London; I’ve really been encouraged to stretch myself and there aren’t too many universities that would offer me the opportunity to curate my own exhibition of international artists, like I did earlier this year at University of East London. My tutors have always given me a lot of support and encouragement, and I’m now looking forward to staying in London and developing my career as a professional artist.”
Sarah Halford (22) has been living this year at the University of East London Docklands campus while studying for her MA Art in Architecture. Sarah said: “I’ve had one of the best years of my life here at University of East London. There’s such a strong creative atmosphere around the Docklands campus and I’ve always been able top tap into the knowledge and talents of my friends.
“The work itself has combined my horticultural and landscape knowledge with my passion for communities, and has largely involved engaging residents with developments at the Gallions Point apartment complex in Docklands.”
Natasha Carsberg (35), of Port Lane, Colchester, has successfully completed her MA Art in Architecture. Natasha said: “I am committed to producing site specific landscape artworks that combine both sculpture and garden design and often involve sensory elements. By interacting with the sculptures through the use of all of their senses, I aim to encourage people to interpret their environment in different ways.”
Tonis Saadoja (25), of Hampstead, successfully completed his MA in Fine Art: Studio Practice. Tonis, originally from Estonia, said: “University of East Londond I’ve had a wonderful year as a student in London. It’s such a vibrant city with an amazing variety of high quality art and culture – it’s impossible not to be inspired here.
“My piece for this exhibition consists of 31 A4-size drawings depicting my notebook from the first page to the last in chronological order. I’ve always thought that anyone who keeps a diary secretly wants others to read it, and this portrayal of my earliest thoughts and notes in England seemed like the perfect way to end my MA.”
Lanre Badmus (29), of Upton Park, successfully completed his MA Art in Architecture. Lanre, originally from Nigeria, said: “I was very interested in this unusual programme due to its unique combination of art and architecture. I’ve been able to work on several interesting projects, including developing plans for the use of container buildings as cheap housing in the third world.
“I’ve also been working with the Newham New Deal for Communities (NDC) to aid in the artistic regeneration of Plaistow and Canning Town. It’s nice to know that they’ve already offered me more work for the future.”
Moritz Tolle (26), of Bethnal Green, has successfully completed his MA in International Contemporary Art and Design Practice. Moritz, originally from Germany, said: “It’s been a good year – I’ve really enjoyed studying and living in London and I really appreciate the freedom and space we’ve been given to develop our work. I’m now returning to Germany, where I’ve already had two offers for positions in advertising.”
Haykel Thameur (28), of Clapham, is exhibiting work form his MA Art in Architecture. Haykel, originally from Tunisia, was a finalist in this year’s London City Awards, sponsored by Newham Council. He said: “I’m interested in using mosaics and impressionistic art to evoke a strong sense of urban landscape. My pieces develop from experiences of living in a variety of cities, especially London, which has been an inspirational place to study and work.”
Abdul Kadir (24), of Bruce Road, Bow, successfully completed his MA Art in Architecture. Abdul said: “The MA’s gone really well; I’ve learnt a lot and we’ve had a huge amount of creative freedom to put our ideas into action. I’m exhibiting the final photographic and projection pieces of my research into the relationship between our own identities and the city we live in.
“During my BA in Graphic Design – also at University of East London – I did a dissertation on architecture and became fascinated by the appearance of buildings and the way they’re perceived by the public. This MA has been a great opportunity to follow up that research and gain experience that will help me towards a career based on the creative regeneration of east London.”
Marc Einsiedel (23), of Hornsey, successfully completed his MA in Graphic Design. Marc, originally from Germany, said: “I’ve enjoyed the creative freedom I’ve had to pursue my ideas and it’s been great taking advantage of all the different facilities available at University of East London – I’ve been screen-printing, wood-working, working with metals and learning about architecture.”
Suhail Anwar (32), of Yoxley Drive, Ilford has been exploring Islamic architecture on his MA Art in Architecture. Suhail, originally from Pakistan, said: “I’ve really enjoyed my time at University of East London because it’s been a great continuation of my earlier degree in Architecture. I’m particularly interested in the restoration and conservation of ancient Islamic buildings that are now deteriorating, such as Lahore Fort in Pakistan.”
The MA exhibition will be open to the public from 1 – 4 September at the University of East London Docklands campus. For more information visit www.uel.ac.uk/avashowcaseor :contact: sian@uel.ac.uk
Related Links
University of East London
www.compelloart.com
Provided by The Student Zone (United Kingdom) |
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