SABEENA AZAM

‘Identity’

Progressed from

The Nobel School — A-levels

Statement

Both these paintings have stemmed from my personal research on my identity. Through my
exploration of Islamic art and Pakistani Culture I have created a portrait piece which combines the symbolic arabesque from an ancient Pakistani mosque, with a colour scheme based on the Badshah mosque as well as the minarets in the background. The second painting is more conceptual and illustrates the idea of dislocation from my homelands where my parents were bought up hence the memories of their younger years in the background, as well as the western world I currently live in. I am stuck between the two and experience barriers in both worlds.

Destination

Nottingham Trent University — Architecture BA (hons)

LOUISE BATESON 

‘Gunn Ghosts’ 

Progressed from

Hertford Regional College — UAL Level 3 Animation and Interactive Media

Statement

For the Final Major Project, I decided to challenge my skills in character design by designing a family and creating an animated short about their life. The animation depicts ‘the Gunn sisters’ (Michelle and Violet Gunn) inside their family-run business- a hotel with particularly unusual guests: ghosts.  

Destination

Seeking employment

ZUZANNA BLAZEJEWSKA

‘Personal Journeys’

Progressed from

Harlow college — A-levels

Statement

This piece depicting my own ‘Personal Journey’ growing up in a small Hertfordshire village is a final homage to my former younger years. Inspired by both Tracy Emin’s Exploration of the soul and Ed Ruscha’s Readymade photography this piece presents nostalgic memories alongside exploring ideas of mental health and the sexualisation of young teenagers. The whole piece radiates nostalgia however is embedded with a dark reality which I explore through the means of poetry. I visited places I used to reside in everyday which created a cathartic experience for me. These places became overlooked and boring however photographing them helped me unlock core memories and bring beauty to the everyday.

Destination

Westminster University — Fine Art Mixed Media BA (Hons)

SELIN BILGEN

‘Transporting Through Realms’ 

Progressed from

Hertford Regional College — UAL Level 3 Art & Design Extended Diploma  

Statement

This multimedia work deciphers the glitchy transformation from a computer-generated system through a video game; further capturing the mystical feel of a fantasy-like realm. I wanted the final piece to embody 3D abstract elements through inspired artists’ styles and techniques such as Sabato Visconti’s glitch art, Nick Gentry’s contribution with recycled technological elements and Brom’s mythical characters. I also showed experimentation with various techniques across the work, including pyrography, bold abstract marks, and the incorporation of 3D mediums.  

Destination

Kingston School of Art — BA (Hons) in Interior Design  

PHOEBE EDWARDS

‘Gambling: Delusions and Reality’ 

Progressed from

Presdales School — A Level

Statement

Using contrasting sets of imagery in a variety of media, this piece presents a harsh comparison between the expectations and realities of gambling, and how it affects a person’s mind. Drawing inspiration from surrealism art, it emphasises how easily someone is lured and becomes immersed into a delusion of wealth and glamour, only to be left with disappointment, loss, and negative effects on mental health. In this book a pattern is printed on the back of each page, so it resembles a deck of cards, visually accentuating the immersive atmosphere that is created. 

Destination

Hertford Regional College — Higher National Diploma in Games Design & Animation 

GEMMA FARMER

‘There’s Rubbish in my reef!’  

Progressed from

The Hertfordshire And Essex High School 

Statement

My work is a children’s picture book which I have illustrated and written myself. It highlights environmental issues such as plastic pollution and littering. I aim to educate children about taking care of their environment through fun ocean characters that appeal to them. I illustrated my book digitally using the app procreate, I also used crochet to construct some 3D ocean animals as well as creating reef sculptures out of recycled rubbish. 

Destination

London College of Contemporary Art — BA (Hons) in Illustration

MEL GEARY 

‘Existential’ 

Progressed from

The Nobel School — A Level 

Statement

My painting on wood is inspired by a digital collage combining imagery from old photographs bought in Camden Market. I was interested in the way that moments captured on camera can solidify intimate and tender moments and how this feeling of familiarity can bridge a gap between strangers. Realising the complexity of individual lives through candid photos brings on feelings of existential anxiety where I am reminded that there is more to life than my sole experience. The emotions associated with this are what I explored through my project. My 30 tile piece, ‘fleeting’, is an extension of this painting, representing fleeting moments and emotions through different media and experimental work, printed using acetone and mod-podge on wood.  

Destination

Norwich University of the Arts — BA (hons) in Fine Art

ROSIE HOUGH 

‘Live Event Lino cuts’ 

Progressed from

Presdales School — A Level 

Statement

I decided to use a combination of collage, additive mono printing and lino printing to create this series which aims to explore the impact that covid-19 had on live music events. I wanted to capture the experience of attending one of these venues after the restrictions had been lifted, with emphasis on the emotions of the crowd as well as the music – focusing on repetition, mark making and layering to express this. 

Destination

Norwich University of the Arts — BA (Hons) in Fine Art

LEILA HOUGHTON-STOBBS

‘Name of Project’

Progressed from

The John Warner School — A Level

Statement

This piece, titled Restricted (completed in oils on MDF board), explores the sensation of starvation and the impact of severe dieting on the digestive system. Inspired by Francis Bacon, I have reimagined digestion as a creature inhibited by outside forces. It has been produced in response to my struggle with an eating disorder.

Destination

The University of Glasgow — MA (Hons) in English Literature

KAITIE ISAACS

‘Them, too’

Progressed from

The Nobel School — A-Levels

Statement

Mixed media on canvas
May we take a moment to reflect on the women that have stood before us and are victims of
injustice; fictional and non-fictional.

Destination

Anglia Ruskin University — Photography BA (Hons)

HANNAH JENKINSON

‘Nature’

Progressed from

Freman College — A-Levels

Statement

This piece of work was completed when working on my final project. This final project was based on the word ‘nature’. When competing this piece, I was inspired by the works of many artists such as Susannah Blaxill and Melissa Toberer. This piece was completed in pencil and based on a photo I took of a rose in my garden.

Destination

Loughborough University — Fine Art BA (Hons)

LIBBY DUNFORD 

‘Sick Libertine’  

Progressed from

The John Warner school — A Level  

Statement

A collection of work inspired by the Camp characteristics of Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure (by Hirohiko Araki). The series of works reflects the dramatic nature of the franchise and the unconventionality of camp and queer culture. It experiments with nonconformity through irony, seen in the contrast between deadpan expressions and absurd presentation, and challenges traditional aesthetics. 

Newcastle University — BA (Hons) in Fine Art

Destination

RINA LUU

‘Name of Project’

Progressed from

The Leventhorpe School — A Level

Statement

For my final piece I exhibited my painting alongside a print from my photoshoot to portray Enmeshment, which is a concept in Psychology that refers to an unhealthy attachment where one loses their identity and sense of boundaries. The choice of red brings cohesions between the two mediums while evoking the aggression, sensuality and passion that red conveys in the language of colour. Enmeshment is all about the melding of two, so both pieces have two subjects as the main focus within them. 

Destination

University of Nottingham — Psychology Bsc 

JASMINE MARKWICK

‘Escapism’

Progressed from

Monks Walk School — A Level 

Statement

This piece explores the concept of ‘escapism’ – both negative and positive aspects. Escapism is a great way to relax, but for a some it can become all-consuming and harmful, damaging a person’s ability to function in the real world. Their form of escapism becomes their new ‘reality’, preventing them from facing the issues in their lives. To represent this concept I have created two ‘book nooks’ that visualise the different environments that materialise when we use escapism. One book nook portrays the positive side, using Tolkien’s ‘The Hobbit’ for inspiration, which millions of people have used for their own personal escape. Here, escapism forms a fantastical oasis for the escapist. The other explores the darker side, how real lives can be sacrificed for a means of escape. It shows the remnants of what’s left behind when someone becomes addicted to the tools of escapsim, creating a disconnect from reality in a destructive way.

Destination

Nottingham Trent University — BA (Hons) in Design for Stage and Screen (design for film and television)  

JOELY MCINTYRE 

‘Expectations’

Progressed from

Monks Walk School — A Level 

Statement

This piece depicts the story of a boy’s experience being evicted and made homeless as a result of gang culture. I drew inspiration from the Freedoms Writers Diary, a book publishing the diary entries of teenagers involved in gangs in the 90s due to their family’s involvement and the pressures they constantly experience as a result of this. I aimed to convey the thoughts and emotions of this boy by using extracts from his diary and placing them around his image to communicate his feelings of hopelessness and despair. This piece aims to raise awareness of the effects of gang culture and violence on youth.   

Destination

Nottingham Trent University — BA (Hons) in Design for Stage and Screen (design for film and television)  

NEVE MUGGLETON

‘Before the troubled water of April 12^th’ 

Progressed from

The Nobel school — A Level  

Statement

A happy place to go to; to remember what was. 

Destination

Norwich University of the Arts — BA (Hons) in Architecture

DARCEE NORTON  

‘Unspoken Words’ 

Progressed from

Hertford Regional College — UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Fashion and Textiles  

Statement

This piece explores the emotions we experience when losing a close relative. Pulling from my own experience of losing my Mum at a young age, I chose to reflect on the raw emotions I experienced when trying to have to come to terms with having to move on in life despite of her absence. I created a ‘burial gown’ with written messages from key stages of my life that she has missed gathered on the skirt. The garment acts as closure, a final burial- one last hug goodbye.  

Destination

Leeds Arts University — Textile Design 

ELENA OOIJMAN 

‘NIGHTMARE’ 

Progressed from

Hertford Regional College — UAL Level 3 Art and Design  

Statement

This piece is the conclusion to my final project in which my chosen theme was ‘Nightmares’. With acrylic paint on canvas I showcase my passion for portraiture, exaggerating certain facial features to create a sinister version of myself. 

Destination

Anglia Ruskin University — BA (Hons) in Fine Art

ALICE PAGE

‘Connections’ 

Progressed from

Freman College — A Level 

Statement

I explored my self-set theme of ‘Connections’ through choosing to knit colours for the time I spent in conversation with friends and family, reflecting who they were by matching the colour I knit with to their eye colour. However, I also looked at connection through the technique I used to make the blanket; the knitting machine, which holds a special connection between my Grandma and I as it was once hers and, after restoring the machine, I got to experience the joy of picturing myself in the same position as her forty years prior.  

Destination

Norwich University of the Arts — BA (Hons) in Textile Design 

CHLOE PARKER

‘Name of Project’

Progressed from

Hertford Regional College 

Statement

This piece shows the anatomy of a snake’s bone structure intwined with flowers and nature. I wanted to create a piece to educate people about the anatomy of animals but also include nature to make it more appealing to look at. The artist I was inspired by for this piece was Nunzio Paci.  

Destination

Hertford Regional College — Higher National Diploma in Fine Art  

HELEN TANG

‘THE LAND OF THE ‘FREE’.’ 

Progressed from

Hertford Regional College

Statement

The piece aims to inform others and spread awareness about the societal issues that women and AFABS (assigned female at birth) face. Some examples include the gender wage gap, victim blaming and the rape culture that comes alongside it, the stigma of ageing, lack of LGBTQ+ rights, and stripping away abortion rights. These collage pieces intertwined with photography reveals these issues in a striking and unconventional way, catching the viewer’s attention.

Destination

Norwich University of the Arts — BA (Hons) in Illustration

RESAN TAS

‘MuNDaNe’ 

Progressed from

Hertford Regional College 

Statement

An anecdotal one-shot comic depicting the mundane happenings of everyday life, presented in a style similar to manga and indie comics. While the majority of pages are monochrome, full colour pages have been used to emphasise the right atmosphere where necessary, with the overall artwork being comprised of both traditional and digital mediums capturing likeness of many indie comics while offering a light-hearted yet grounded look into everyday activities. 

Destination

Arts University Bournemouth — BA (Hons) in Illustration 

MICHAEL TYRRELL 

‘Salem: Fangs Amidst the Moor’ 

Progressed from

Hertford Regional College — UAL Level 3 Art and Design  

Statement

For my final major project, I looked into fairy-tales, folklore and mythology, exploring the archetypes and themes present in cultural stories, and creating my own story based on them. Inspired by comic artist Mike Mignola, I produced a short graphic novel, which aims to reinterpret fairy-tale tropes in a striking and engaging style. Emblematic of my own artistic journey, this final piece acts as a culmination of my passions for both illustration and storytelling, combining both into a skilful and tangible product, marking the finale of my studies here at college. 

Destination

Anglia Ruskin University — BA (Hons) in Illustration

NINA WILLIAMS 

‘The Secret Cinema Welcomes You’ 

Progressed from

Burnt Mill Academy — GCSE

Statement

These pieces are several garments I made based on my character designs for the titular story, The Secret Cinema Welcomes You.  The story centres around a mystery regarding a young woman’s disappearance, the private detective investigating the case, and her informant, an egocentric angel working from inside an abandoned cinema. The project was inspired by surrealist media such as Twin Peaks and Brand New Cherry Flavour, and was created with a specific visual style in mind, which I made careful efforts to show through the garments. 

Destination

University of Brighton — BA (Hons) in Fashion Design with Business Studies