With UAL’s Graduate Showcase launching online at the end of July, we caught up with our Foundation Diploma in Art and Design students, who are coming to the end of studying their course here at Camberwell.
We spoke to students from a mixture of specialisms about their final major projects to get a taster of what to expect from the online showcase.
, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL | Photograph: Katie Bland
First up, Katie Bland, a Foundation student specialising in Textile Craft, told us about the inspiration for her Final Major Project. Katie is going on to study BA Textile Design at Chelsea College of Arts. To see more from Katie, follow them on instagram: @kaatieisabel
, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL | Photograph: Katie Bland
“The inspiration for my project derived from the Coronavirus pandemic the world is currently facing. I took a fashion approach and wanted to construct garments and textiles inspired by the genetic makeup of cells and bacteria. To the best of my ability and with the materials I have with me I can create from home, continuing to work on samples which best translated my research and expressed my theme.
I was really intrigued by this material called foam clay. It’s a slime like substance with tiny little plastic balls worked into the slime. When stretched the material reminds me of growing bacteria. I’ve experimented with making moulds on the body and stretching it across surfaces.”
, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL | Photograph: Maria Lorena Ortega
Maria Ortega a Foundation student specialising Graphic Design, Maria is currently in Ecuador. Maria is continuing her study at London College of Communication, studying BA Graphic Branding and Identity. To see more from Maria follow them on instagram: @_makeitvisual
“I have created a campaign about how harmful the use of negative words can be for children. Using typography I decided to create negative words made out of dangerous materials for children for example, nails, broken glasses and matches".
, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL | Photograph: Maria Lorena Ortega
"My aim is to attract the attention of parents, who are the campaign audience. Before returning to Ecuador I created the letters in the 3D workshop. Then I experimented by taking photographs of the letters I had created, starting to create scenarios in different parts of my house which connected with the concept. For the final outcome I used these images to create my own design of Band-Aid bandages (plasters) with the text ‘Harm from words goes beyond a bandage’.”
, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL | Photograph: Imi Burrell
Imi Burrell specialised in Drawing and Conceptual Practice. To see more from Imi follow them on instagram: @2001identikit or @studyforaportrait
“The themes I have been really focused on this year have been about questioning our belief and organisation systems in an open way. My final major project is entitled ‘belief + borders’. It concerns the way we build organisation systems to bring comfort through a sense of understanding, even if this understanding is ultimately false. I wanted to look at the idea of peace that we aim for through these systems. Is peace legitimate if it doesn’t acknowledge the complexity of the world?"
, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL | Photograph: Imi Burrell
“Due to the pandemic, I haven’t been able to make some of the objects I was planning to make so I have shifted my focus to engraving and moved towards observational painting and drawing a lot more. I have gravitated towards this in reaction to the global uncertainty right now because the processes are very grounding.”
, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL | Photograph: Serena Balzano
Serena Balzano specialised in Illustration. To see more of Serena’s work follow her Instagram @arthenope
“My creative practice is based on my cultural background. I am really interested in folklore, Naples is pretty rough and noisy as a city. I like to create experimental videos and illustrations with vibrant colours or even all in black. For this particular cycle of illustrations and animations I was inspired by Neapolitan superstitions, myths and rituals.
, Camberwell College of Arts, UAL | Photograph: Serena Balzano
Chanel Sonego, specialising in Painting and is continuing her study here at Camberwell, going on to study BA Fine Art Painting. You can view more of Chanel’s work on her Instagram page: @pirateonacid
“My practice explores colour theory, compositional studies and how traditional aspects of painting are transposed in contemporary practice. I approach my practice by exploring topics of interest including philosophy, psychology, and science, whilst relating them to my own thoughts, feelings and life. My unplanned, large-scale works reveal memories, fears and experiences of my life. I achieve this through the use of colour and composition whilst also exploring injustice within our society."
“My practice offers a sense of freedom, release, and expression of how I feel about the world and existing, symbolising and speaking to aspects of my personal experiences and struggles. My practice offers me a sense of catharsis, where I can effectively express my inner psychology through creative expression.”
All the students we have featured have valiantly adapted their practice to create from home during this disruptive and uncertain time.
Find out more about our Graduate Showcase which launches to the public on Tuesday 28 July at 6:30pm and join us to celebrate their achievements.
Are you interested in studying our Foundation course? Find out more on the course page.