Art From The South West
On display at Plymouth College of Arts annual Degree Show, emerging artists from the South West showcase their work to highlight how some of the freshest creative talents are flourishing outside of London.
One room, in particular, catches the eye; swathes of printed fabrics adorning the walls, bomber jackets and custom-made swimsuits sit side by side, and tactile products such as magnetic wallpaper and delicate embroidery invite engagement. The work from BA (Hons) Printed Textile Design & Surface Pattern graduates is something of a dream.
Surface pattern designer Hannah Seward specialises in producing delicate prints and surfaces for interiors, exploring traditional methods, such as screen-printing, tufting and hand painting. Being a lover of the outdoors and country estates, she takes inspiration from nature and links them with aspects taken from archives. She aspires to immerse her audience in a sense of calm while creating beautiful modern surfaces.
Her current focus is on developing the 'Ultimate Reading Oasis', taking inspiration from English idyllic gardens and traditional seating with a tufted modern twist. In a world where people are more stressed than ever, Hannah wants to create a space perfect for unwinding and promoting mindfulness.
Also on show: Sophie Minshall is a print and fabric designer specialising in fashion and colour application, taking influence from music, film and retro memorabilia. She uses traditional drawing, screen printing and dyeing techniques, bringing them together with photography and digital processes. At the core of her practice are three important principles: vision, fusion, passion.
Her latest project channels Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums, this collection makes an eclectic visual statement and plays on the ideas of contrasts between impactful, maximalist design and more neutral, quieter prints.
“My colour palette has been created from cinematic stills that reflect the overall mood of the film, a modern scheme with a vintage vibe. Bonbon pink, muted Parma Violet, buff and dove grey provide the neutrals with contrasting bold colour from burnt satsuma, vibrant grape, acidic olive and a dark fudge cake brown.”
The Plymouth College of Art's Degree Show is now over. However, students' works can be seen at the London Design Fair from 20 - 23 September 2018. It will be exciting to see how these new graduates develop as artists and designers.
Guest blog post by Katherine Peberdy