Hampshire’s biggest temporary art gallery opens its doors

Nearly 150 final year students will be putting their work on display to the public at the annual undergraduate Winchester School of Art Degree Show which celebrates the work of its talented young artists and designers and marks the end of three years of study.

The school, in Park Avenue, turns into Hampshire's largest temporary art gallery next week and features some exciting creations.

Among the more unusual exhibits is a clear, resin fireplace which fine art student Eleanor Field created for her final show work.

Eleanor, who specialises in painting, used the school's sculpture facilities for the piece. She said: "This is a process I have never done before, so I am really testing myself. My work is mainly installation-based and next year I am going to work in the theatre as a set designer."

Two doors are the inspiration of textile art student Ella Clocksin. Entitled Membrane 1 and Membrane 2, one piece is made from a salvaged door and is decorated with cotton organdie, cotton and silk thread, while the other is made from a wood frame and features cotton organdie, cotton tape, cotton and silk thread.

Meanwhile textile design students have been mixing industrial, large-scale, digital printing with traditional print methods to create some unique work. Students have also been using the latest technology in wallpaper by adding UV and reflective inks to their designs.

The range of work reflects the flexible nature of the BA Fine Art and Textiles, Fashion and Fibre courses and this year's level 1 and 2 students from the BA Graphic Arts programme will also get the chance to showcase their work.

WSA fashion students will be hotfooting it back from Graduate Fashion Week, at London's Earls Court 2, to display their collections at the degree show.

They will also be taking to the catwalk to show off their designs at two special fashion shows at Winchester's Great Hall on Thursday, 19 June, at 2pm and 4pm in front of an audience of invited guests.

Fashion stars of the future who will be displaying their work include Lymington-based Britt Beale, 21, who has created an off-beat collection for men and women influenced by the 'make do and mend' approach to styling in Romany Gypsy culture, and Mana Fatourechy who was motivated by body protection for her collection of imposing outfits that complement the female form with consideration to shape and form, featuring a dynamic use of embellishment and well-sourced fabrics.

Head of School Professor Bashir Makhoul said: "We are proud to host this exhibition which showcases the superb work produced by our students. The level of talent has once again exceeded all expectations and is an indication of the successful careers that our students go on to achieve."

The Winchester School of Art degree show 2008 takes place at the school, in Park Avenue, from Saturday, 21 June, until Friday, 27 June. It is open from 10am-8pm Monday to Friday and 11am-4pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

A private viewing will be held on Friday, 20 June, from 6-8pm.