Art Reviews

NUA degree show

05/06/16

It is always daunting to be handed a map with your drink before you begin to explore an art exhibition, but with the latest year of Norwich University of Arts students coming towards graduation it was that time of year again. This is the second year I have been to view the third year degree show and I get the impression no one can ever be disappointed when they go along to this. The show has worldwide recognition, and the business viewing held before the private showing for family and friends has members coming from all lifestyles to explore what are some of the best fresh talents being introduced to the art scene.

Throughout the show, you are able to predict a semblance of what shall befall the art scene over the next twelve months. That forecast has come from the third year studios, in the heart of one of Britain’s most creative cities. That feat in itself is impressive and a great draw as to why so many from all over flock to see this show.

The yearly show is comprised of a final piece or collection by each artist and is arranged in departments according to the course of study. This is the reason for the vast size of the show and I would recommend you need to dedicate at least two and a half hours to get round the entire thing. I guarantee by the time you have been round your head is going to feel like mush because you’ve being concentrating so hard to taking everything in, but it is certainly worth it!

While the entire show is worth an exploration, they are for me some particular highlights that I really enjoyed seeing this year. Illustration and photography have to be at the top of my list. The illustration show this year is, as always, a diverse show, depicting the many interpretations of what that word now incorporates. The collection itself was beautifully constructed to maximise aesthetic pleasure, and a tone of minimalism and clean cut lines were seen in a lot of the work.

There were giant structures hanging from the wall and films playing in a darkened corner of the room that made you feel you had stepped into avant-garde cinema. Impressive sculptures, one in particular giving the show a tone of severity and intimidation, juxtaposed with the works of Moosey artist Jamie Robert whose angular geometric images appeared soft and quaint.

The Oedipus Rex bust by Sam Burnard was a standout feature. Its spiky, sharp cut and jutting form creates an ambiguity, and imposing shade and mass make this a dramatic and tragic piece. It arms the piece with a fearful magnetism that plays well upon its audience and in doing so creates an intrigue that cannot help but to draw you in and in a strange way really makes you enjoy this work.

Meanwhile the work of Jamie, previous exhibitionist at Moosey Art, was complex in its technical design. Soft and complex in its lining it demonstrates the technical ability and care taken in these images. The other impressive factor to his work was in the paper that was sourced for the printing of these copies - Jamie has been working into scrolls and ancient paper to add the history and depth to the beautiful images he had created.

And then just to fully encapsulate the many strategies of Illustration and the many faces behind the mask of that word. You can walk through the show and come across the images of George Woods that underpin a representation defining classical interpretations of illustration, capturing the romantic notion of drawing and the relationship between pencil and paper.

Photography again is one collection that never fails to disappoint, some images made to demonstrate the art of the camera, mixing scenes, composition and colouring to create simply stunning pieces. Equally as impressive though are the photographs taken to shock. I find walking round this part of the show the same as last year, that there are images to make my heart stop and my throat clench. They punch you in the gut and they haunt you. That is what I love about the three piece black and white series by Kay Myddleton. Poignant and dark I found a despairing quality to their stark and unapologetic subject matter, and it is that boldness presented so cleanly that made me really respond to her pieces.

Another part to the show that acts in direct contrast to illustration and photography almost as a transition from the more concrete reality into abstract is the Fine Art section. This dominates a large part of the exhibition; it is spread across three floors of St George’s building. The metaphorical structures and concepts showcased within some of this work is baffling, intriguing and  captures the audience’s curiousity to understand the artist’s message. I am not ashamed to admit I often can view these works and at first can misinterpret the vehicle of communication, but there is a beauty in exploring the many concepts this department displays and experiencing your own journey of understanding as you explore.

In other pieces the message in unavoidable and unbending. The work of Lara Abbiss- Stubbs was a particularly grotesque piece centred on the topic of female mutilation; she cast images across three female figurines capturing the second skin of women that represents their own fragility, as they are circumcised to the events that befall them in the face of patriarchal society. The power and ferocity confronts you on the spot. It quickly became one of my favourite pieces of the show.

For anyone in the city the final degree show of Norwich Arts University is always a worthy trip out, just to see some artwork if it’s not something you do very often, and for a connoisseur it is an exciting chance to see what is happening in the world  of art and explore the upcoming talents that shall soon be knocking upon industry doors. It is also a great opportunity to visit the university shop and purchase any particular works of the artists for yourself. Equally, if you are a graduate like me, then it is always an awe-inspiring trip to go view the latest works, stay connected to the creative scene and explore the rush of ideas that can come from delving into the minds of many different artists all at once.