NSAD Degree Shows
The Norwich School of Art and Design (NSAD) prides itself on the quality and variety of artwork and other creative pieces produced by its final year students. The Principal of the school, Susan Tuckett, describes it as; "a place of ideas and innovation and students are encouraged to question assumptions and challenge existing boundaries of practice." And this year was certainly no exception: several pieces challenged the stereotype of the displaying artist and encouraged engagement with both the pieces and the space surrounding them.
The NSAD end of year exhibitions are being held from Thursday 26th June- Wednesday 2nd July, and the ECA was invited along to preview the collections. The opening night had a carnival atmosphere, with the displaying students, and their family and friends along with local press representatives and dignitaries, mingling in the courtyard. Overall the standard of work produced was high, and impressively innovative. Here we look at our favourite pieces from the 3 key displays at the exhibition:
BA (Hons) Contemporary Textile Practices
Given the historical link between the ECA and engagement with textile practices, the pieces produced by the students graduating from the Contemporary Textile Practices course were of particular interest. Several of the pieces had obvious commercial value, whilst more seemed to use the fabric and other textiles as a basis for the creation of fine art. There seemed to be a emerging trend of the return to traditional craft skills such as knitting and quilting, and the role of textiles in soft furnishings was also explored by several of the artists.
Carly Elia's Untitled dress is the first piece you encounter when you enter the Textiles room, and it's size and colour immediately attract attention. The metallic used immediately make you think of 'the future' (or the future as artists perceived it would be in the sixties) and this retro feel is aided by the geometric shapes that line the bodice. The fabric used to make the dress make it seem hard, sculptural and rigid. In contrast, in her piece entitled 'Re-Made', Jennifer Ball recycles a trio of denim skirts and turns these into a soft delicately embroidered display of wall-art: beautiful, unwearable, but still obviously fashion items.
Of all of the pieces on display a favourite, perhaps because of their obvious wear-ability, were Anna Watson'sUntitled neck ruffles intricately crafted from hand-dipped fabric in a range of unusual shapes and sizes. The longer ruffle is guilted with buttons along its whole length, making it seem like an intentionally more substantial garment and the contrasting trim lends a contemporary overall feel to the pieces.
BA (Hons) Visual Studies
The Visual Studies Area of the exhibition was very hands on and interactive, as students had not only displayed a selection of their final pieces (many of which were not at the show as they are already on display in a variety of public spaces) they had also displayed their workbooks. This gave a great insight into the production process of the pieces, which is unusual in this kind of exhibition, but most welcome.
The relationship between art and nature was one explored by almost all of the exhibiting students and this is reflected by the fact that the majority of the students displayed their work at the Bergh Apton Sculpture Trail. The theme of this years trail was 'Balance’: Many of the exhibitors responded imaginatively to the serious environmental implications of climate change, exploring how we balance our needs responsibly and ethically with those of nature. Family relationships and Body Image were also explored heavily in this exhibition with students photographing their family interactions and all of the aspects of their day to day lives.
Above is a selection of scenes from a film that was broadcast at the exhibition within which the Visual Studies students outline how they feel about their work, and themselves now that their three years of study is over.
BA (Hons) Fine Art
The Fine Arts exhibition was by far the most impressive, and controversial display of work throughout the shows. Much of the work was conceptual and there was a strong use of colour throughout. Several of the pieces seemed unfinished to the untrained eye, but i'm assured this was an intentional commentary on the function of the art show!
For me the stand out piece of the Fine Arts collection (despite its sub-title; 'Please be seated') was Phoebe Stannard's The Comedy of Life. This life size sculptural piece mimicked a theatrical set and encouraged the viewer to engage with it. Each of the 'players' was intricately painted and the overall quality and effect of the piece was very high.
Overall then, this years degree shows were thought provoking and well worth a visit. Although I approach 'Art' from a lay-mans point of view, this didn't mar my enjoyment of the interesting pieces of work that had been created.
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Entrance to the event is free and the exhibitions are open 10am-6pm for the duration of the shows.
Review by Tor Brierley