Four North Kent College Art and Design students were selected to have their work displayed at an exhibition in London showcasing the work of some of the UK’s most talented students.
Sophie Clapton, 19, Lulu Benjamin and Madelyn Jeffrey, both 18, and Gabriella Stere, 17, had their artwork showcased at Origins Creative at the Truman Brewery in Shoreditch after they caught the eye from around 400 submissions.
The free exhibition was organised by the University of Arts London (UAL) Awarding Body and celebrated the work of the UK’s most talented students in Further Education institutions studying across the UAL subject areas of Art and Design, Fashion Business and Retail, Creative Media, Music Performance and Production and Performing Arts.
It aims to provide art lovers, critics and industry professionals from the creative sector the chance to discover original creative talent from across the UK and celebrate students’ creativity and hard work.
Lucy Flack, Assistant Principal for the Arts at North Kent College expressed her delight at the recognition, saying: “The Art and Design teaching team at North Kent College in Tonbridge are very proud to have had four of their student’s work representing the department at the Origins show, from Level 2 Art & Design, Level 3 Diploma and Extended Diploma in Creative Practice, and the Level 4 Foundation Diploma. These students have demonstrated ambition and a real engagement in the subject of Art and we send them our congratulations and wish them well as the go on to study at higher levels.”
Top: Gabriella Stere's artwork. Middle left: Lulu Benjamin's artwork. Middle right: Madelyn Jeffrey's artwork. Bottom: Sophie Clapton's artwork.
Sophie Clapton’s large-scale hanging, is a three part work in oil painted on bedsheets titled ‘The Conscious Unconscious’. A visionary narrative, the work explores the state of limbo between reality and dream, inspired by automatic drawing and the paintings of Hieronymous Bosch. Lulu Benjamin’s submission, an expressive large-scale acrylic on canvas triptych titled ‘Terror Management’ explores the anxiety linked to mortality.
Gabriella Stere’s set of 3D characters titled ‘Thriftivism’ explores the effects of fast fashion and Madelyn Jeffrey’s small scale and dramatic black and white painting titled ‘Methane Bubbles & Permafrost’ explores the effect of climate change on the ice caps.
Madelyn will be progressing onto the Level 3 Diploma in Creative Practice and Gabriella will be progressing on to the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Practice, both at North Kent College. Lulu will be studying for her BA in Fine Art at Falmouth College of Art, whilst Sophie is pursuing an apprenticeship in curation at Tate Modern.
The Origins Creative Exhibition opened with an invite-only private view on 20 July. It was then open to the public from the 21 to 23 July, alongside an online showcase.
The exhibition showcased selected work created by students from Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 across all subject areas, with a diverse range of painting, photography, drawing, sculpture, fashion and more all on display.
North Kent College offers a range of Art and Design courses at its Tonbridge and Dartford campuses. Both campuses feature excellent facilities including fully equipped workshops/studio spaces, screen printing workshop, a ceramic kiln and more.
To find out more visit the Art section of the North Kent College website.