Online shows un-lock art and design talent

The creative skills, hard work and accomplishments of University of Chester Art and Design students are being celebrated with awe-inspiring online exhibitions.

A virtual event on Thursday June 3 will open the Un-locked show, which represents the culmination of students’ degree studies, demonstrates the uniqueness of each student, and offers an insight into their visual, professional future.

In the spotlight will be work by 2021 graduating students from seven undergraduate programmes: Fashion Design; Fashion Marketing and Communication; Fine Art; Graphic Design; Interior Design; Photography; and Product Design.

People can join the opening by going to the Contemporary Art Space Chester (CASC) Gallery website:

http://www.cascgallery.co.uk 

from 6pm on June 3 - and are urged to also take a look on the website at the End of Year Shows he End of Year Shows exhibiting the work of first and second year students from the same programmes, which are online now.

Associate Professor Bernadine Murray, Head of Department for Art and Design said: “Within these exhibitions you will find many things that will unlock your emotions, will make you smile or reflect, will stimulate you, will generate questions and will impact upon you beyond these exhibitions. That is the power of creativity, the potential of these creative individuals - our first and second years and the graduates of 2021 - to change people who experience their work and to change the world.”  

She added that she was extremely proud of the students who had not let the pandemic curb their creativity.

“COVID-19 has had a significant impact on all our lives in many ways but as we have been in and out of lockdown, our students have continued to pursue their dreams; they did not give up, they did not stop exploring, experimenting, discovering, creating and innovating. These students are inspirational, and in turn will inspire.

“Your amazement will not be for how well these students have done under the circumstances. It will be surprise and admiration at the breadth of ideas, the quality of the finish, the professionalism, the range of approaches and skills on show that have eclipsed the adversity faced.” 

Graduating BA Hons Photography student Ffion Thornton said: “It has been an interesting year, filled with many challenges mainly caused by the countless restrictions in regards to the pandemic. These challenges have forced us out of our comfort zones, allowing us to question the way in which we work.

“Although it’s not the final degree show in a real gallery we had all envisioned, the University has made it possible for us to still show our work in a virtual exhibition.

“It will definitely be something to remember, showing how adaptable we have had to be throughout our final year and celebrating everyone’s hard work and achievements.”

Ffion’s third year final project entitled ‘Digitized Dysmorphia’ is made up of all female portraits and focuses on the damaging effects the media has in relation to body image.

To join the Un-locked opening event at 6pm on June 3, log onto the CASC Gallery website at:

www.cascgallery.co.uk

and tour through a 3D version of the city centre gallery on the Artsteps platform, or create an avatar and wander around the Second Life CASC Gallery, set on a paradise island. Alternatively, flick through a slideshow of all the work directly on the website.

For updates and a sneak preview of work, please visit the Department of Art and Design’s social media accounts at:

www.instagram.com/uoc_artanddesign

and:

www.facebook.com/uocartanddesign.

For more on the CASC Gallery see:

www.instagram.com/cascgallery

and:

www.facebook.com/CASCgallery.

Pictured - A piece from Photography student Ffion Thornton’s third year final project entitled ‘Digitized Dysmorphia’ which features in the Un-locked exhibition.