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The University of Southampton
Winchester School of Art

Degree show reflects Winchester School of Art as international centre for ideas

Published: 12 June 2012

One of the largest exhibitions of student art and design in the South opens at Winchester School of Art this week. The event shines a light on the creative talents of hundreds of students from across the world studying Fashion and Textile, Fine Art, and Graphic Arts. It opens with a private view on Thursday 14 June at the city’s Park Avenue campus.

Head of School Professor Bashir Makhoul comments: "Reflecting the School's reputation as an international centre for ideas, this year's degree show engages with a range of ideas and mediums both in a global context and an interdisciplinary way. I am very proud of our graduating students who have produced challenging and highly professional work. I would welcome you all to see this year's Degree Show and become immersed in its distinctive and stimulating work."

Among the exhibits is 21 year-old fine artist Frances West's screen-print rabbit 'Ralph Recurring', which appears both outside the School and inside – linking exhibition spaces.

22 year-old Sophie Payne says of her colourful playground inspired sculpture, "I strive to create striking images that allow lines to stand out within the composition from numerous viewpoints within the space. My most recent work has involved creating playground structures, which emphasise particular lines through the application of complementary colour pairings."

Also on display is 21 year-old Graphic Arts student Michael Van De Kerkhof's full-colour book #wearethe99percent which follows every tweet, YouTube comment, and Facebook update about the Occupy protest in London. Also on show is 23 year- old Asma Nazir’s typeface, influenced by Islamic geometric patterns and arabesque.

Dozens of collections from fashion students will be on display – fresh from success at their recent catwalk shows in Winchester and London – alongside innovative textile designs making use of cutting-edge industry standard techniques and equipment, such as digital printers and laser cutters.

Provocative artist Jake Chapman will be ‘in conversation’ at Winchester School of Art (WSA) on Thursday 14 June from 3pm-4pm. The event marks Chapman’s appointment as Professor of Speculative Research at WSA. He will be chatting with Jonathan Harris, WSA’s Director of Research, about the history, meaning, pleasures and pains of his sculpture SEX which is currently on display at The Winchester Gallery.

Visitors are welcome to view the degree show at Winchester School of Art, Park Avenue, Winchester from Friday 15 June to Thursday 21 June: Monday – Friday 10am - 8pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am – 4pm.

Join the Degree Show conversation on Twitter: #wsashows2012 and follow on Facebook: www.facebook.com/wsashows

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