Final Preparations for College Show
The Creative and Cultural Industries department of Shetland College UHI has been a hive of activity in the last few weeks, as students and staff prepare for the annual End of Year Exhibitions. Classrooms have been transformed into freshly painted exhibition spaces and students are putting the finishing touches to a diverse range of coursework from the academic year.
Students from a variety of courses are taking part in the exhibitions, which always brings together an eclectic array of creative work. Lynn McCormack and Izabela Delnicka are exhibiting in the Degree Show, which marks the end of their four year BA (Hons) Contemporary Textiles degree programme. Izabela has taken inspiration from Mexican culture to produce a collection of woven scarves in a range of bold colours. She has been interested in use of colour throughout her degree, noting that a touch of vivid colour is a welcome contrast to Shetland’s dark winters. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Lynn McCormack has taken inspiration from shadows and the concept of the subconscious mind to produce a collection of monofilament structures. With creative use of light and shadow, Lynn has explored her own creative process to develop the theme of making the invisible visible. Work from the other Contemporary Textiles year groups will also be on display. Edina Szeles, lecturer, said: ‘Both Izabella and Lynn have used very exciting yet different subjects to develop their work for the degree show. Their creations demonstrate imagination and high technical excellence developed through experimentation.’
Full-time and part-time students from the NC Art and Design Portfolio Course are contributing work which includes figurative and abstract painting, drawing, printmaking, digital media, photography, three dimensional illustrations, sculpture and experimental textiles. S3 and S4 school pupils who attend the college to study Vocational Pathways: Contemporary Art Skills will be exhibiting a selection of drawings, mixed media studies and textiles.
Always a highlight of the exhibition is the work contributed by students who visit the college from Eric Gray Services. Students working at National 1 and 2 level will be exhibiting samples of their personal project work, which is produced as they develop ways of working and expressing themselves in a range of mediums. The Forward Directions students have been working closely as a group to conceive an exciting exhibition of artwork which incorporates 3D sculptures, installations, observational painting, pop art and animation. Throughout the year they are encouraged to further their art skills and develop personal interests, with the exhibition a chance to showcase what they have achieved.
The Degree Show and End of Year Exhibitions are on display at the Gremista campus from 6 th to 17 thJune, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm. Simon Clarke, Head of Cultural and Creative Industries, said: ‘Two very strong final year Contemporary Textiles students are exhibiting this year, one weave, one knit – they’re very different but share a theme of contrasts. Izabela Delnicka has produced a collection of woven scarves in vivid colours, inspired by ideas of identity and place. Lynn McCormack has knitted translucent sculptural structures, an exploration of light and shadow. As usual the Degree Show will be complimented by exhibitions from across the department, which will bring together an impressive and diverse collection of work not to be missed.’