Students Impress at End of Year Graduate Show

Higher education students from the Swindon College School of Art have been impressing visitors this week as they exhibit their work at the college’s end of year Graduate Show - open to the public until Tuesday next 14th June.

Higher education students from the Swindon College School of Art have been impressing visitors this week as they exhibit their work at the college’s end of year Graduate Show - open to the public until Tuesday next 14th June.

Final year students from MA Fine Art, BA (Hons) Graphic Design, BA (Hons) Illustration, Higher National Diploma Photography, Higher National Diploma Fashion Textiles and Higher National Diploma Production Arts: Media Make-up are all exhibiting their end of year projects - a result of many hours work and research.

A private viewing took place at the Oxford Brookes University Ferndale Campus (Ferndale Road) on Wednesday (8th June), where alongside family and friends, students were joined by creative industry representatives, many of whom are local employers.

Jill Marshall Simms, Curriculum Area Manager for the School of Art explains: “The work presented provides an insight into the range of creative endeavours that are encouraged and nurtured within Swindon College School of Art.’’

‘’Feedback from visitors so far has been hugely positive – particularly from local employers - some of whom are now in discussion with students about future job prospects. I’m immensely proud of everything they have achieved and want to take this opportunity to wish all of our graduates every success in the future.”

BA (Hons) Illustration (Narrative & Sequential) student Charlotte Herbert is exhibiting not one, but two projects and says she had been ‘overwhelmed’ by the response so far.

‘’It can be daunting exhibiting your work’’ says Charlotte. ‘’But it’s great to see people enjoying it. I’ve been really pleased with the positive response so far.’’

One of Charlotte’s projects entitled ‘Beneath’ invites visitors to switch on lights at the side of each picture frames, which then reveals hidden illustrations ‘beneath’ what is first visible to the eye.

Inspired by visits to places such as Avebury Charlotte made a diary of how she felt during these visits – recording everything from sounds and smells to her emotions and feelings. Her stunning illustration of a tree trunk at Avebury sees fairies appear when the lights are switched on.

‘’Avebury just felt really magical’’ she says ‘’so I wanted to convey this in the drawing and spark peoples imagination’’

Also exhibiting is BA Graphic Design student John Hermon whose poster and app designs seek to inspire and engage young people on a number of issues including health, politics and sport.  

‘’I’ve really enjoyed the whole process’’ says John. The past 3 years at Swindon College have been fantastic and I’m looking forward to building a career in design after I graduate’’

John’s enthusiasm was also mirrored by MA Fine Art student Judith Thomson whose display was inspired by historic buildings and the human interaction they’ve experienced over time.

‘’Each sheet went through eight print processes to build up a texture – much like the layers of a building develop over time.’’ Judith explains. ‘’I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working on it and plan to continue after I graduate.’’

The exhibition continues until Tuesday 14th June, with all welcome to come and browse the students’ fantastic array of work.