University of Chichester fine art students prepare for degree show
Fine art students at the University of Chichester are embarking on the final chapter with their degree show coming up at the university’s Bognor Regis campus from Friday, June 9-Wednesday, June 14, 116 weekdays, 11-4 weekends.
Seniorlecturertimsandysrentonsaid:“thesefineartstudents have spent three years developing their very personal visions and styles, and you’ll witness this in an exhibition that’s full of colours, textures, forms, in part challenging, but always interesting and exciting. They’ve supported this development through the development of practical skills in textiles, printmaking, painting andsculptureandhonedthisall further by the study and application of theory.”
For Lauryn Lockyear, it’s all been an unexpected opportunity: “I was born and raised in Chichesterandididn'tknowart existed in Chichester. It's just not very well advertised. I don't thinkchichestercultureisvery young and diverse. It's actually very particular. I thought I wouldhavetogotobrightonbut a friend from Brighton came to Chichester to do fine art and I realised it was just around the corner and so I started. Currently I'm working on a lot of textile-based art but my backgroundisingraphicillustration and photography. That's where I started and when I decided to go back into study I was quite gung-ho. But I fell in love with the loom. I love the texture of wool. I love painting but I can make more of a mess without getting dirty with this. It's just sosofttotouchandicanhugmy work.alotofmyworkisveryintrospective.”
Fellow student Chris Burgess came to the course as a mature student, having studied at Bishop Otter in 1970 on theteachertrainingcourse.but art was something she always wanted to do: “And so I applied for this at the grand old age of 70. Before that I was working and bringing up a family and I cared for my mum for a while and now was just the first time that I was able to do this.
"And it has been fantastic. It's been really good. It's a really inclusive course and I've never felt like the oldest girl on the block.
“My speciality is sculpture and the course has fulfilled all my dreams. For this final exhibition I have tried very hard to plan so that everything is ready. Imakeceramicheads.ijustlove clay. I tried to build some very big heads but I couldn't get access to the kiln for a long time so I made a mould so that I was readywhenthekilnswereavailable. It's just something that's very innate. I couldn't tell you why I do it but I love doing it. I just wake up thinking what am I going to do. (As for life after the degree) I'm talking to a garden designer. She is looking for pieces to put in planting schemes. I'm looking to work in garden design because my work is stoneware and can be used outside.” As for Lauryn, she admits she's a little bit nervous about the degree show but more nervous about what happens when it all finishes: “I'm actually up to date with the work which is good but I am nervous when something finishesandyouhavethefreedom to take the next step but you're not sure what the next step will be. I'd like to start combining my love of illustration with fabrics.” Location: fine@rt St Michaels, University of Chichester, Bognor Regis Campus, Upper Bognor Road, Bognor.