Fine Art graduates from Staffordshire University have been given a unique opportunity to showcase their exhibits across the region, as part of New Art West Midlands.
Five BA(Hons) Fine Art graduates will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner Ali Reed, a 2013 Fine Art graduate.
The quintet is part of a group of 30 exhibiting artists whose work ranges from painting, sculpture, photography, performance, installation and video works.
Four galleries - Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Wolverhampton Art Gallery and the Herbert Art Gallery & Museum in Coventry, are working in partnership to present four exhibitions which together make up New Art West Midlands.
Fine Art lecturer Anna Francis, said: “The Fine Art team are immensely proud of the success our graduates continue to have, as they take their first steps beyond the course in announcing themselves within the art world.
“The five graduates selected for inclusion represent the breadth of arts practices which our students develop while on the course, including a range of medias and approaches.”
“Inclusion in NAWM will undoubtedly help them in taking those first, important steps outside of the course. The team would like to congratulate each of them for being selected for this prestigious opportunity,” she explained.
Graduate, Jade Simpson’s work features large-scale animal hybrid sculptures whilst Lisa Marie Williams’ human-like sculptures are both humorous and unsettling.
There is a further sculpture by Glenys Shirley, who playfully questions art collection with classical and kitsche ceramic figurines.
Adam Grüning features an installation by using appropriated images and objects to consider design, placement and the digital environment in the making of his work.
There will also be video and performance art too, with new work by Sarah Thorley, made in response to time spent working with a museum’s cleaning staff.
Five of the 30 artists will win cash prizes of £1000, plus a select group will be offered residencies, a project or mentoring opportunities with a network of partners, including Compton Verney, The New Art Gallery Walsall and the National Trust.
New Art West Midlands 2015
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Wolverhampton Art Gallery, 31 January – 26 April 2015
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Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, 13 February – 17 May 2015
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The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, 13 February – 17 May 2015
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Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, 14 February – 31 May 2015