Issue 10 - Oct 2014

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Aug 2014

Clare Robertson Forging a brand from the ancient craft of blacksmithing

Dr Jennie Jewitt-Harris From doctor to fine artist: combining two unlikely disciplines

Gareth Edwards The Hollywood director on his latest blockbuster, Godzilla

Morris Keyonzo Documenting Kenya’s slums

CREATIVE UPDATE University for the Creative Arts Alumni Magazine

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Contents

Latest News 04 Clare Robertson 08 MissFire Forges Success Gareth Edwards 12 Unleashing Godzilla Tola Mohiki 16 Insights Of An Intern UCA Alumni Team Angela Chadwick Head of Corporate Communications Emily Cooper Alumni Relations Thara Sukumaran Database Officer Carys Waters Press & PR Officer Tim Pilgrim Press & PR Officer alumni@ucreative.ac.uk www.ucreative.ac.uk

Graphic Design & Art Direction by UCA alumni She Was Only www.shewasonly.co.uk

Akram Fahmi 18 Building Luxury

Printed by Asendia.

Jamie Sims 22 Howling Hit

Cover photo by MissFire

Morris Keyonzo 26 Kenya In Focus Ian Pons-Jewell 30 Setting The Scene James & Carrie Saunders 32 Home Is Where The Art Is Jonathan Ramalho 36 Hong Kong Laura Nailor 40 The Cat That Got The Screen Dr Jennie Jewitt-Harris 42 The Art Of Medicine Reconnect at Rochester 45 David Haste 46 Stass Paraskos Creative Spotlight 50

Above Jonathan and Oliver at Shek ‘O Beach Right Still from ‘Howl’

by Jamie Sims

Welcome

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Welcome to Issue Ten Welcome to issue 10 of Creative Update, the magazine of the University for the Creative Arts Alumni Association.

According to recent figures published by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), employment within the UK Creative Industries sector has increased five times faster than the national average. This powerful force driving economic growth makes it an exciting time to be a creative arts graduate. UCA is always striving to support its students and alumni, and is proud that the institution has risen 33 places in the Complete University Guide league table over the last two years.

The UCA community is going from strength to strength, and the Alumni Association is growing, with now nearly 35,000 members cross the world.

In this edition, we highlight some of the extraordinary success of our alumni as they make their mark and conquer the creative industries. It’s been a bumper couple of months as we have seen Gareth Edwards’ success with ‘Godzilla’ topping box office charts, celebrated UCA’s Chancellor Zandra Rhodes receiving the title of Dame in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, had eight students and graduates win at the Goldsmiths’ Crafts & Design Awards, and applauded our largest ever cohort of students graduating at the Royal Festival Hall in London.

It’s fantastic to be able to recognise and support our alumni’s achievements and we are grateful to all those who have helped contribute to this issue of Creative Update.

We hope that you like the new and improved look of the magazine, and if you have some exciting updates or stories that you would like to be featured in a future edition, then please do get in touch.

The UCA Alumni Team alumni@ucreative.ac.uk

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News

Interior Architecture graduates win Another Design International Award

Stuck between Iraq and a Hard Place Recent BA (Hons) Glass graduate Naomi Symmonds’ degree has been a kind of therapy for her after the tragic death of her brother Chris, who died whilst serving in the army in Iraq in 2003. She has created her final piece titled ‘Stuck between Iraq and a Hard Place’ to commemorate all the lives lost in the Iraq War.

creating anti-war signs, followed by a piece inspired by conspiracy theories and consumerism. As a culmination of her journey, she then developed the idea for her final piece.

‘Stuck between Iraq and a Hard Place’ consists of a 2 metre by 1.6 metre concrete wall, representative of the blast walls that divide Baghdad. One of the panels is glass

“My work is a metaphor of the passion I

with two distinct sides; one side is highly

feel about the inequalities and injustices

polished and reflective, representing

that take place in the world, particularly

the commemoration of western troops

referencing the atrocities of war,” said

and the respect they are associated with

Naomi. “I feel to highlight these atrocities

after fighting for their country, and the

is necessary to ensure that the devastation

other side is textured, broken and shot at,

of the livelihood of innocent civilians is not

representing the destruction of Iraq since

forgotten”. Naomi was 13 when her brother

the war began.

Chris died whilst defusing live-cluster bombs in a field in Iraq.

The Glass degree project briefs gave

“My work aims to represent a postmodernist decline in values – a socialcultural shift in ideals,” said Naomi.

Naomi (pictured above) the freedom

“Through my work, I wish to provoke

to explore areas of interest to her,

polemic arguments and discussions about

unearthing an array of repressed emotions.

topics which we appear to be desensitised

Throughout the course she explored war

to in western society.”

further, looking into the legalities of war,

At this year’s graduation ceremonies, Interior Architecture alumnus Pal Pang presented the Another Design International Award and runner-up prize to two graduating BA (Hons) Interior Architecture & Design students Isa Gustafsson (pictured left) and Anna Houston (pictured centre). Pal, originally from Hong Kong, graduated from UCA in 2001 and now runs his own design consultancy, Another Design International.

Pal decided he wanted to contribute something to inspire the next generation of designers.

"I received an award myself when I was at UCA which helped to keep me motivated, so I was keen to give something to the students as they start their careers in the industry," said Pal. "Anna and Isa's designs were chosen based on their creativity and timelessness.

The concepts captured a real sense of beauty, which is what I believe is our key role as designers." The UCA alumnus has just set up a London office for his international award-winning consultancy.

News

UCA storms Goldsmiths' Craft & Design Awards 2014 UCA students picked up a wealth of awards at this year's Goldsmiths' Craft & Design Awards, held at Goldsmiths Hall.

Eight prizes were awarded to students, with another two being commended, and four prizes were awarded to recent graduates, with a further five commended. Crafts tutor, Lynne Maclachlan, also received an

plant, and she developed the ‘Reversible

award for Production Jewellery.

Drinking Set’ idea from research into

The annual event, recognised as the

historic glass and patterns created within

"Oscars of the industry" in Craft and

water. To create the pieces, Kyosun fitted

Design, was hosted by ex-BBC presenter

together several separate layers of silver

Kay Alexander and supported by a number

then manipulated a number of wires

of trade companies and associations.

precisely so they could be soldered on. She

Three final year students hailing from BA (Hons) Silversmithing Goldsmithing & Jewellery at UCA

then provided extra texture with pattern between each wire.

Kyosun commented: "The awards

Rochester secured eight awards between

ceremony was an amazing evening and I

them. Gemma Main received the College

was very surprised to win! So many people

Silver Bullion Grant, Kanella Vlachou won

came up and congratulated me. I was

an award for her Gallery Jewellery entry

encouraged to enter the competition by

‘Headpiece, Human Blinkers’ and Kyosun

tutors at UCA, and I'm so pleased I did as

Jung (pictured right) won won six awards,

it's been very rewarding."

including a grant from the Goldsmiths'

"We're extremely proud that UCA

Company, the overall Junior Award for

students had such huge successes at

her ‘Sake Set’ and The Podolsky Award for

this year's Goldsmiths' Craft & Design

her ‘Reversible Drinking Set’ and ‘Sake Set’

Awards, especially considering the large

(pictured above right).

number of entries," said Grant McCaig,

Kyosun's ‘Sake Set’ design was inspired by the shapes and structures on a bamboo

Silversmithing, Goldsmithing & Jewellery lecturer. "Awards like this instill confidence in the winners but also help them raise their own profile as they embark on their careers as craft makers."

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News

BAFTA Haul for UCA Alumni

UCA Climbs University Rankings UCA has moved up 24 places in The Complete University Guide 2015, making it the highest climber in the table.

Vice-Chancellor Simon Ofield-Kerr said: “The increase recognises the longstanding real strengths of UCA and has been delivered by both investing in our courses and facilities, as well as ensuring a more level playing field across the sector when it comes to submitting the data on which league tables are based. This result is a testament to the talent and dedication of UCA staff and the extraordinary achievements of our students.

“New contemporary spaces, like The Elaine Thomas Library at UCA Farnham, reflect our dedication to developing creative communities by providing our students with some of the best facilities designed specifically to produce great creative work.”

The Complete University Guide is designed to provide University applicants with accurate and independent information on UK Universities, and the data for the rankings have been derived from official sources.

UCA now sits at position 62 in the table of 123 UK Universities.

Dominic Mitchell (above right) and Mark Towns (above left), who both studied BA (Hons) Film Production at UCA Farnham, picked up their awards at the BAFTA TV Craft Awards at The Brewery in the City of London in May.

optioned it, and they really championed it.

And here we are,” said Dominic.

Mark Towns meanwhile collected the award for Best Editing – Factual for his work on the Channel 4 fly-on-the-wall series ‘Educating Yorkshire’, which follows the everyday lives of staff and students at a

Dominic, who collected the BAFTA for Best Writer – Drama for his BBC 3 series ‘In The

Dewsbury School.

Mark, whose previous credits include

Flesh’, said in an interview with BAFTA:

‘The Apprentice’ and ‘Coppers’, told

“It was the first TV script I’d ever written,

BAFTA: “It was an amazing show to work

so just to get it made was just amazing,

on. Originally I wasn’t actually going to

so this now is just incredible, it’s a dream

work on it, but I came in to do five weeks

come true really.”

assembling for them, but as I saw more and

‘In The Flesh’, which aired in March 2013, is a reimagining of the ‘zombieapocalypse’ in which a teenage ‘rotter’

more, I thought, “I’ll put another job back,” so ended up doing 10 or 12 weeks.”

Talking about the editing process,

is rehabilitated back into the local

Mark said: “They had 50 cameras and they

community following The Rising.

were shooting for 30 days from seven in

The show originally came after Dominic took part in a BBC Writer’s Rooms

the morning until five at night.

“I was quite lucky because I came on

scheme, from which the resulting script

mid-way through the process. They had

was commissioned.

the teacher, but they weren’t sure if they

“They took a chance on me, they took

could make a film out of him, so I was

the chance on an idea. I hadn’t written

given maybe about eight scenes to cut, and

anything for TV before, and then Hilary

we thought, ‘yeah, there’s definitely a film

Martin and Simon Judd, who are with

in him,’ so it turned out to be very good.”

BBC North, they took a chance on it, they

News

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Sports Photographer Sets her Sights on Charitable Exhibition Despite finding success within the fields of commercial and editorial photography, alumna Rebecca Andrews’ (pictured above right) current focus is a long-term exhibition in collaboration with the Kent Association for the Blind (KAB).

London Fashion Week and the BBC. Combining her personal hobbies with professional endeavors, Rebecca now specialises in sports photography, and regularly undertakes exciting projects for clients such as the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the

The exhibition, which runs throughout 2014, aims to challenge misconceptions

International Weightlifting Federation.

As somewhat of a departure from

about living with sight loss through a series

bodybuilding events, sporting arenas and

of black and white portraits, which highlight

athletics tracks, Rebecca found the KAB

the diversity of the experiences and lives of

project - an idea that she developed and

those who suffer from visual impairment.

pitched herself - genuinely inspiring.

Rebecca has a long-standing association

She said: “It was a truly remarkable

with UCA, having completed two BA

opportunity to meet such wonderful

(Hons) degrees, and an MA in Fine Art:

people. I am very proud to be part of

Artists’ Film, Video & Photography, at the

something that is helping raise awareness

Maidstone campus. Since completing her

for such a fantastic cause.”

studies, she has quickly made a name for herself as a freelance photographer, working on commissions for the likes of Mercedes UK,

To view Rebecca’s work, visit her website: www.rebecca-andrews.co.uk

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Feature

MissFire Forges Success Clare Robertson BA(Hons) Three-Dimensional Design: Metalwork and Jewellery, Farnham, 2004

Within the Clearwell Cave’s ancient iron mine in the Forest of Dean is a workshop where MissFire spends her days creating unique items in metal using traditional forging methods alongside more modern techniques.

Clare said: “Visits to Spain exposed me to the architectural work of Antoni Gaudi and Frank Gehry and I just loved the impressive scale of sculptures by Anthony Gormley and Louise Bourgeois. It was soon clear that metal was the direction that I wanted to take my life in.”

MissFire is the creative brand of BA (Hons)

In 2004, whilst studying at UCA Farnham,

Three-Dimensional Design: Metalwork &

Clare found her imagination was opened up

Jewellery alumna Clare Robertson. She said: “I

to the possibilities of manipulating metal. She

was always more curious about metalwork than

dedicated her time to “reading every book on

glass or ceramics when looking through art and

blacksmithing in the library.”

craft books. I was intrigued to know how these

Clare said: “A highlight of my time at

things were made and was interested in the

university was when The Worshipful Company

potential of the metal which could be structural,

of Pewterers ran a competition called Pewter

practical and ornamental. It seemed so

Live. It was an opportunity to change the

versatile, resilient and enduring. I was excited to

perceived image of pewter from dull tarnished

think about making things bigger than me and

tankards to bright, versatile and beautiful

that would survive longer.”

objects. I designed a therapeutic oil burner

Alumni Name

‘Beachwood Bell’, 2010

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and was spotted by one of the judges, Geoff Kayson, owner of Alchemy Gothic; a company I had idolised since an early teen. He liked my design so much that he invited me up to his workshop in Leicester to design a gothic version which his company would manufacture and sell. This was such a huge boost to my confidence and a chance to experience the real world!”

Clare found herself at a major turning point in her professional career when she designed and created a centerpiece for a show garden at Hampton Court Flower Show in 2007. She subsequently decided to break away from steady employment with an architectural metalwork company on the outskirts of London and took a leap of faith creating her own brand and her own business. Clare said: “It was so important to me to be working under my own name and pursuing the artistic and sculptural side of the craft so I just decided to take the plunge while still young and enthusiastic and passionate about what I do.”

Six years later, with 10 years blacksmithing experience under her belt, MissFire has developed an impressive portfolio that consists of work that she has made for clients on commission and also more speculative art pieces that reflect her own style and taste; a mixture of art nouveau with a gothic twist.

Clare’s inspiration for her work is found in the rural part of the country that she lives in.

She said: “Mother Nature is an inexhaustible source of inspiration and I try to make my work organic and full of life.” Recent sculptures include an underwater scene of an otter chasing a school of fish through reeds entitled ‘School Dinners’, and also her largest piece to date which required working alongside a local primary school. The project involved creating a tree featuring leaves, birds, spiders, frogs, butterflies and flowers. Clare labels this as her proudest and most exciting achievement to date and describes how she was invited back to the school after the tree had been completed, where the pupils sang her a song about the tree.

The ancient craft of blacksmithing is one which many find both completely unfamiliar and fascinating. Clare said: “The idea for a piece is born from rough drawings, which then

Clare Robertson

develop into chalk designs and the selection of metal bars. I then begin the process of cutting the metal to length, forging and forming it to the required shapes and assembling it to create a final piece before being either polished,

Top left ‘Fish Supper’ Collaborative sculpture with woodcarver Peter Walwin, 2011

painted or galvanised. My preference is always to retain the beautiful subtle textures of the bare metal wherever possible. I try to introduce colour to my work and have been using specialist paints to finish flower-themed

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difficult whether you are male or female; we all have our own limitations and tailor our work to suit our strengths and weaknesses. As an art form blacksmithing is a level playing field, we are hard-working, open-minded, and determined, and these qualities are not

Top right Wall Sculpture made for Cooper’s Edge School, Gloucester, 2013

gender specific.”

Looking to the future, Clare aspires to have her own independent workshop with space for a MissFire gallery.

sculptures to great effect.”

Being a female blacksmith has led to some mixed responses. She said: “You have to be thick-skinned and have a sense of humour about it. I find it much easier now that I have an impressive portfolio behind me and can therefore prove my ability. Blacksmithing is

Left ‘Celtic Rose’ centerpiece, 2011

To view MissFire’s portfolio and see her upcoming exhibition dates, visit her website at www.missfire.co.uk

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Feature

Gareth Edwards’ Monster Movie Career

Unleashing Godzilla At the bottom of page seven of the 1996 Farnham Film School graduation show programme sits an unassuming quote from a young student filmmaker.

“For the first time ever, digital technology is allowing film students to create virtually any image. Our aim is to show just what is possible with a relatively small amount of money and a little imagination.”

It’s the kind of quote that you often see in a degree show programme, a few choice words from a student keen to express their final piece of work - their last hurrah to formal education.

For some, the show is the end of the line; afterwards they drift off to do other things, often within the industry, occasionally not. But for others, like the young filmmaker behind ‘Arrivals’– the film to which that quote was attached – it’s the launch of an exceptional career, where showing ‘just what is possible’ is part of the job description.

“Do you know what’s funny about that film?” reminisced Gareth Edwards, UCA alumnus and the director of ‘Arrivals’. “It was a monster movie!”

Gareth Edwards BA (Hons) Film Production, Farnham, 1996

Alumni Name 13 Gareth (middle) with Bryan Cranston and Aaron Taylor-Johnson

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Monster movies are very much Gareth’s thing. So much so, when Legendary Pictures were looking for someone to take the reins for a

in the business, so it was easy to hand over that baby to them.”

Having listed Steven Spielberg’s ‘Jaws’ and

reboot of the iconic monster movie ‘Godzilla’, he

Ridley Scott’s ‘Alien’ among his influences,

was the only man they needed to ask.

Gareth clearly defined his vision before

He’d caught the attention of Legendary

accepting the director’s chair. His ‘Godzilla’ was

Picture’s Thomas Tull in 2010 with his aptly

to be more suspenseful and serious than the

named flick ‘Monsters’, a shoe-string movie

other 28 previous adaptations.

for which he earned a BAFTA nomination and widespread critical acclaim.

To keep ‘Monsters’ costs down to the

The original movie, released in Japan in 1954, was an allegory for the destruction caused by the nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima

‘relatively small amount’ of just $800,000,

and Nagasaki, an act which ultimately led to

Gareth had to take a do-it-yourself approach.

Japanese surrender in World War Two. Gareth

Not only did he write and direct the film, but he

maintains that that was still the most serious of

created all of the visual effects in his bedroom

the ‘Godzilla’ movies, and the one he wished to

- a feat for which he was described as “David

most closely emulate.

to the Goliath of the Hollywood special effects industry” by film critic Mark Kermode.

By contrast, had Gareth attempted to render

“Right at the beginning we sat down and said, ‘what is this film about?’ I like to take things seriously – The disaster [Godzilla] would

the 960 visual effects for ‘Godzilla’ on his home

be terrible, like the Second World War or worse.

computer, it would have taken 445 years – a task

It would be an emotional, life-changing event

too big even for him.

and we wanted to show that. It’s most fun for

“I kept saying, ‘can I just do one shot for old time’s sake?’ And they kept saying, ‘yeah yeah yeah.’ But after the first week it was clear it was never going to happen, there just wasn’t time.”

“But we had the best visual effects people

the audience to believe what they see and be part of the world.”

Setting the tone for the movie turned out to be the easy part however, with Gareth admitting that the step up from his previous low-budget

Gareth Edwards

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Left Gareth (right) with Ken Wantanabe Right & Below Stills from ‘Godzilla’ Production images courtesy of Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures

work had made ‘Godzilla’ – which featured a cast and crew of hundreds and a reported budget of $150m – the hardest thing he’d ever done.

“Dreaming of the film is a lot of fun – it’s where you can just close your eyes and imagine everything you want to say. Showing the film is a lot of fun. But the middle bit feels like war.

“You do a small film, there’s five of you.

You enter this massive movie where there’s 300 people, it makes a massive difference. You drive onto set and you’re in a bubble. They drive you straight to the camera and you don’t meet anybody. All you speak to all day long is the assistant director, the cameraman and the actors.

You literally just know five people. The most embarrassing thing is I go to wrap parties and I don’t know anybody.”

It’s all a long way from the 1996 graduation show programme in which Gareth first laid down his filmmaking plans. It’s a point he admits he’s still struggling to accept as he prepares to unleash his ‘Godzilla’ on the world, and in doing so, take his place in the world of the Hollywood elite.

“I never expected this to happen. It’s so surreal that if I think about it for too long I either start to get emotional or I start to get the shakes or something. I can’t process it.”

‘Godzilla’ was released in cinemas nationwide on May 16 and is out on DVD on September 16.

Feature

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Tola Mohiki BA (Hons) Fashion Design, Rochester, 2012

Insights of an Intern Fashion Design alumnus Tola Mohiki talks to Creative Update about his time working as an intern after graduating in 2012 and how he is now pursuing a career in ethical and fair trade fashion.

My Internship After I graduated, I managed to get a six month internship at People Tree Sustainable and Fair Trade Fashion label. An average day as a garment tech intern involved pattern tracing and a lot of in-depth feedback and

My UCA

technical drawings for the producers. When

My time at UCA really helped me to develop and

a new sample came in I got to scrutinise

taught me the value of craftsmanship as well as

it and offer suggestions to improve the

the importance of excellent equipment. Having

garment. Towards the end of my time there

now graduated and worked with various people

I got involved in the menswear side of things

in various locations I can now really appreciate

and I was involved in some design meetings,

how fantastic the facilities were at UCA. The vast

choosing fabrics and colours, etc. Getting some

printing spaces, the numerous looms and the

of my designs for People Tree into production

advanced photography department at Farnham

felt amazing. I love knowing that people are

in particular had a massive impact on me.

wearing clothes that once started off just as

Anybody that knows me now knows that I love a

ideas in my mind.

good pair of scissors or a high-tech machine. I’ve

My biggest piece of advice to anyone

just invested in a fancy new iron like the ones

graduating this year is to keep working hard,

that we had in the sewing rooms at Rochester.

stay motivated, do not give up, push yourself

More importantly however, my time at

and always remember your roots and where you

UCA has taught me the value of hard work,

started from. Once you’re through the door, let

dedication and commitment.

your work do the talking.

Tola Mohiki Left Tola, image courtesy of People Tree

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Internships are perfect places for learning, making contacts and friends and showing your skills and your potential. They’re also good for getting a real taste of the industry and perhaps

Below right Tola’s Handmade Portfolio

identifying things that you don’t want to do.

My Future I am currently employed by the fashion charity FARA, who provide care services for disadvantaged children and families in Romania. We have just opened a shop where we make new clothes from donated fabrics and all profits go to the charity. I’ve been there almost from the beginning; I make clothes, design accessories, and will soon be teaching workshops. I’m living the dream. It makes me smile to think that I’m actually being paid to do something that I love, I feel a little bit guilty!

In my spare time I’m working hard to develop a little brand of my own accessories and probably menswear too but I’m also trying to learn more about making lingerie as this is something that has inspired me for years.

In a few years I would like to work for a big company like Reiss on the technical team, and I have strong ambitions to spend some time working in a tailoring house. I will be satisfied as long as I am doing what I love doing and in some way making the world a better place.

Want to read more from Tola?

Visit his blog at tmohiki.tumblr.com

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Lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel in Baku

Akram Fahmi

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Building Luxury

by Akram Fahmi

Akram Fahmi BA (Hons) Architecture RIBA Part 1, Canterbury 2007

After studying for eight years at the UCA Canterbury School of Architecture, Akram Fahmi now works for ReardonSmith Architects in London Bridge, working on luxury five-star hotels in London and abroad.

Postgraduate Diploma RIBA Part 2, Canterbury, 2011

I managed to secure a job after graduation relatively quickly. I just jumped at the opportunity and I now work on some really exciting projects at ReardonSmith Architects.

Masters of Architecture, Canterbury, 2012

I am Project Lead Designer and am currently working on a redevelopment job in Sloane Square in London. We are converting an 1880s five-storey mansion house into a 50 bedroom boutique luxury hotel. Another project of mine is a 170 room hotel in the heart of Tbilisi, in Georgia. I am taking a stunning large 19th century neo-classical building and creating it into a hotel.

In the near future, ReardonSmith Architects will be opening the luxury Beaumont Hotel in Mayfair, which includes a habitable sculpture designed by Anthony Gormley. The sculpture

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is of a man crouching and is attached to the

all becoming adjustable and user-specific.

outside of the building, forming part of the

Everything will be smartphone controlled.

hotel’s guest suites. It’s such a surreal space

The Canterbury School of Architecture

– imagine having a bed inside a Trojan horse.

at UCA was unlike any other university

It will be a fantastic and novel experience for

experience. My father is a Civil Engineer

everyone who stays in there!

and my mother is an Interior Designer so my

My days are spent mostly working on plan

family environment has always been creative,

layouts from the early stages of development

and I was instantly drawn to UCA for this

right through to the detailed design and

reason. The state-of-the-art facilities available

problem-solving the technical elements. I have

at UCA, the 3D printing equipment, laser

opportunities to travel to sites, often abroad,

cutting, photo studios and fantastic library

and there is a real sense of achievement seeing

resources were practically unheard of at any

your drawings come to life, and physically

other university. I was working with one of

seeing the space that you have spent months or

the most talented, enthusiastic and dedicated

sometimes years drawing.

group of tutors I have ever come across.

I think that hotels, by nature, are transient,

Lecturers such as Allan Atlee, John Bell and

ever-changing and evolving. The latest trend

Oliver Froome-Lewis created a sense of calm,

in hotel design is the ability to adapt to new

confidence and direction, and really pushed

technologies. Guests expect a lot more these

me to achieve my best. The hard work paid off

days, and the ability to control all elements

and I was nominated for the RIBA Presidents

of the guest experience in hotels is becoming

Medals, and was awarded the Bronze Medal,

more important. Room temperature, room

Paul Davis Award for Urban Landscape for my

service, water temperature and concierge are

final year project. It went on to be exhibited at

Above Four Seasons Hotel in Baku Right Above The Beaumont Hotel in London Right Bottom The Savoy in London

Akram Fahmi

“My ambitions are to keep progressing and to make sure that every step I take is upwards, and not sideways” the RIBA and the Institute for Contemporary Arts in London. To date, this stands as one of my proudest achievements, closely followed by a Commendation in the prestigious Evolo Skyscraper competition in 2011, and my RIBA SouthEast Award for Excellence.

My ultimate career goal has always been to run and own my own practice. My ambitions are to keep progressing and to make sure that every step I take is upwards, and not sideways.

I remember a quote from Paul Arden that inspired me during my degree: “When it can’t be done, do it. If you don’t do it, it doesn’t exist.”

This quote has always given me the impetus to strive for the top. There are always surprises along the way, and I would never have imagined working for the company I do. Things have a way of falling into place, but you need to be ready to grasp the opportunities when they do.

To keep up to date with Akram’s current work and future projects, visit: www.afahmi.tumblr.com

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Despite having only recently graduated, 2013 Film Production alumnus Jamie Sims has already created an impressive show reel, with many of his short films receiving noteworthy honours that someone years into their career would be proud of.

Jamie Sims BA (Hons) Film Production, Farnham, 2013

The plot of Jamie’s graduation film ‘Howl’ surrounds a schoolteacher who unravels a dark secret behind the unusual relationship between her new pupil and a mysterious stranger. ‘Howl’ has enjoyed notable successes, including being screened at the British Film Institute BKSTS Awards, The Portobello Road Film Festival, and nominated for the ‘Golden Tadpole Award’ at the Camerimage Festival (Poland) in 2013.

To bring ‘Howl’s run to a full year-long circle, Jamie’s film won Best Horror/Thriller, Best Screenplay, and was nominated for Best Film at the ScreenTest National Student Film Festival Awards 2014.

2013 Graduate Proves Howling Hit

Jamie Sims

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Still from 'Howl'

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Jamie also won the BKSTS/National Media

Jamie, and were two of only 140 short films to

Museum Student Widescreen Film of the Year,

be selected for the London Short Film Festival

and to top it all off, ‘Howl’ was one of four films

(LSFF) from a pool of around 1,200 submissions.

nominated for a Learning on Screen Award & FE

Jamie was delighted to see his work

Award by the British Universities Film & Video

transition to the big screen. He said: “I was

Council at the British Film Institute.

thrilled that two of my short films were

In regards to ‘Howl’s future, Jamie said:

selected for the LSFF. It was amazing to see

“It would be nice to see it on a big screen but

them in a cinema and to be part of the viewing

the next step is to plan for its online release, so

audience. This kind of opportunity is a huge

watch this space! Howl has been a huge lesson

part of why I am a filmmaker and being able to

for me every step of the way, from its creation,

witness people’s reactions first-hand was really

to bring it to life, then to the festival circuit and

rewarding.”

now thinking about releasing it. I’m so proud of

Jamie has now set his sights on directing his

the attention it has got from festivals, audiences

first feature-length film. He is on his third draft

and fellow filmmakers. It’s been an incredibly

of the script and hopes to use some of his prize

humbling experience.”

money from his winning film ‘Unhappy Hour’

Alongside this, ‘Beach Potato’ and ‘Sex By Numbers’ were also written and directed by

(at the Beefeater Gin My London Film contest 2013) in order to develop and make it.

Top Left Jamie on the set of ‘Milkshake Courage’, image courtesy of James Taylor-Meme Left and Right Stills from ‘Howl’

Jamie Sims

When asked about his main influences when

25

worked with crews made up of my graduating

creating his films, Jamie replied: “My films are

year. I always felt like I had support and advice

pretty eclectic and range from cute romantic

from the staff, and now that I’ve graduated the

comedies like ‘Unhappy Hour’ to the darker

support is still there.”

psychological thriller ‘Howl’. A lot of my shorts

Jamie is currently working on a screenplay

have been made for contests and so follow a

for an adaptation of Hamlet with actor Sam

brief but with all of these I’ve tried to relate back

Underwood. He said: “A big problem with

to my own experiences and thoughts. ‘Beach

Shakespeare is that his characters explain

Potato’ deals with my obsession with television,

their motives too much and so as a screen

and ‘Milkshake Courage’ is dedicated to the

writer I need to simplify this, and because I

utter stain and fear of asking a girl out on a date,

am using the original Shakespeare text, the

while ‘Monster Problem’ is about a big monster

process involves some meticulous cutting and

trying to sleep but is scared of the little girl

manipulating of scenes.”

under the bed.”

Looking back on his time at UCA, Jamie said: “UCA challenged me and taught me the importance of team work and collaboration.

I’ve made several shorts since graduation and

To keep up to date with his work and Jamie’s future ventures, visit his website: www.jamie-sims.com

26

Feature

Morris' journalism students

Kenya in Focus

Morris Keyonzo BA (Hons) Photography, Film, Video & Animation, Farnham, 1989

Morris Keyonzo

27

Despite having photographed many high-profile individuals, Kenyan photographer and UCA alumnus Morris Keyonzo prefers to capture ordinary African scenes of culture and has documented life in Kenya’s slums. Now a lecturer at the University of Nairobi School of Journalism and the Technical University of Kenya School of Information & Communication, he tells Creative Update how he combines teaching with his own practice.

How did you find the transition from Nairobi to UCA Farnham?

Before leaving Africa to study at UCA, I was

What does an average day look like for you?

Hectic but sometimes smooth! Imagine rushing from giving a lesson to students and the

working as a technician and pursuing a diploma

next hour being on a photo shoot. My days are

in graphic design at the Kenya Polytechnic

never the same and never predictable. One day I

in Nairobi. The Polytechnic nominated me

am shooting a glamour fashion set, and the next

for a British Council TCDY Award to study

day I have my eye and camera fixed on the harsh

Photography at UCA Farnham and this marked

reality of poverty in a remote area of Africa. It’s

the start of my journey to becoming a career

easy to get caught between the fantasy world

photographer.

of advertising and the real world. This is when

I moved to Farnham with an open mind, and

I seek solace in my own art photography where

as a mature student at 26 years old, I got over

I photograph what inspires me within African

the culture shock pretty fast and made as many

nature and wildlife, as well as cityscapes and

friends as I could. I could often be seen sharing

the urban poor.

a joke in the cafeteria or having a cup of tea with the Director at the time, Norman Taylor.

I really made the most of my time at Farnham and I enjoyed touring other departments to

What aspects of your work do you enjoy the most?

My work enables me to appreciate the

get inspired or just to know something about

diversity of life and learn something new about

printmaking, glass, painting, metal sculpture,

other people’s professions and cultures. I find

jewellery, ceramics and textiles.

photography incredibly healing and rewarding.

The course itself gave me the invaluable

I prefer photographing ordinary people. They

hands-on practical experience that prepared me

tend to reveal more human aspects of life and

for the real industry. All the wonderful people

are more responsive to their surroundings.

that I worked with at Farnham were always

A memorable example was when I was in

there for me to see that I succeeded, and I am

a nomadic village in Northern Kenya when a

grateful indeed that I met them.

kitchen hut caught fire. The villagers watched

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Feature

helpless as the fire consumed the grass structure with everything in it except for the pot that was already cooking on the open fire. There was hardly any water they could use to put out the fire in this semi-arid environment.

There have been many instances where I have captured ordinary Africans in various situations and under different degrees of struggle. Each of them has made me think about how we should never take our own or anyone else’s life for granted.

Having said this, I have had the pleasure of photographing some high-profile individuals such as the President of Tanzania, the former President of Kenya, the actor James Earl Jones, and South-African musician Hugh Masekela.

Photography has opened my eyes to a delicate understanding of human nature. When I photograph people, I am aware that I am pointing the camera at myself. I shoot these people the way I would like to be photographed if I were standing in their place.

What are your proudest achievements?

I would say that I am most proud of being one of the first Kenyans to study a degree in Photography 24 years ago. I have used my degree to contribute towards the alleviation of poverty through the work I have done for both local authorities and non-governmental organisations. One example of this was in 2006 when I was briefed to observe and capture through my camera lens Ant & Dec’s special fundraising mission to the Kibera Slum in Nairobi. I photographed how the duo responded to their environment, away from the TV

It has influenced Nairobi’s fashion photography,

glamour life that they are used to.

an area that is gradually emerging as an

My photography aims to bring about positive change, hope, and possibly a smile on

important creative industry.

Through my teaching over the years I have

a child’s face, a mother’s face or a father’s face

adopted the role of mentor to many young

where there has previously been none. My role

Kenyans. If I have one goal for the future it is to

as a photographer is fundamentally to create

see my students use photography to fulfill their

images that carry the message effectively in

dreams and become better citizens. I always tell

promoting the work of the non-governmental

them that the ‘best shot’ is the one they haven’t

organisations fighting poverty and creating

yet captured. I suppose I shall still be looking for

awareness both locally and abroad.

my best shot in a few years to come.

My work has also helped to develop and promote some of Kenya’s leading young musicians and local celebrities.

Top Ant & Dec in Kibera slum

See more of Morris’ work at www.fananpicha.odpodev.com

Bottom Morris Keyonzo Right Morris’ photograph of a Kenyan school teacher

Alumni Name

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30

Feature

Setting the Scene After being launched into the spotlight with the success of his music video for ‘La La La’ by Naughty Boy featuring Sam Smith, we catch up with Film alumnus Ian Pons Jewell to chat about his latest projects and what it’s like to film in exotic locations.

by cinematographer and UCA alumnus Doug Walshe, Ian’s regular collaborator.

He said: “It’s just a very different way of working out there. In Bolivia everything is open and really flexible. For example, we were able to do some filming down a working mine and also in an active, busy police station with no

Since graduating in 2006, Ian has made a name

problems at all. There are very little restrictions

for himself directing music videos for the likes

when filming in Bolivia, however the pace is

of DJ Shadow, Crystal Fighters, Tinie Tempah,

different. The whole process of production

Anna Calvi and Teef. His most successful video,

can be longer and involves more face-to-face

‘La La La’ won both “Best Song” and “Best

meetings rather than doing work via email.

Video” at the 2013 MOBO Awards.

“Over here, I could make an entire video

Ian said: “The Naughty Boy video was an

without leaving my room, but in Bolivia you are

amazing experience. All of the elements seemed

forced to meet people, find actors and locations

to fit into place and I’m really proud of the video

through word of mouth, and so forth, which I

that was created.”

think is a good thing. By contrast in the UK, for

‘La La La’ was filmed entirely in La Paz,

example, everything can be very automated,

Salar de Uyuni and Potosi in Bolivia, and was a

which doesn’t allow as many ‘happy accidents’

completely new experience for Ian. It was shot

to happen.”

Ian Pons Jewell BA (Hons) Film Production, Farnham, 2006

Ian Pons Jewell

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“Take every opportunity to keep making new work, and make the most of working with like-minded people” Ian finds that the location of his sets is

the London Short Film Festival, the East End

crucial to the final outcome of his work. He said:

Film Festival, and most recently being chosen

“Locations often spur on my ideas, and they

by FANT Bilbao Film Festival, where it had its

are always there in my mind as an element that

world premiere at their 20th anniversary closing

inspires me. I don’t like to build sets or heavily

ceremony. Ian said: “FANT was wonderful. It’s

dress places, preferring to capture the real-

always a bit nerve-wracking to see how a film

life essence of the location. For example, with

will be received but they loved it so much, and

New York, which was the setting for the next

it was a brilliant experience to present our film

Naughty Boy video that I directed, there were

to the press.”

no major set designs or studios. We simply let the authentic landscapes speak for themselves.”

Location also played a large part in Ian’s

Looking ahead, Ian plans to continue making music videos. He said: “It’s a fantastic genre and medium to work in. It raises your

current focus, a short film called ‘Angels’,

profile as a filmmaker and the label provides

which pays tribute to the area of Elephant and

you with the funds to go ahead and make what

Castle and the building that Studio Murmur,

is essentially a short film, which can be really

Ian’s working film company, has been based in

helpful as traditional film funding routes can

since 2009. The Studio Murmur team varies but

be very time consuming and hard to come by.”

includes fellow UCA alumni Dobi Manolova,

Ian’s advice to current or recently-

Matt Wash, Matt King, Doug Walshe and Ghandi

graduated film students is: “Take every

El-Chamaa.

opportunity to keep making new work, and

Nicknamed ‘The Bank’, the building has

make the most of working with like-minded

played a key role as the company has evolved.

people. I still collaborate with fellow UCA

Ian said: “The space was very large and

graduates today and the whole environment at

had a great vibe to it. It’s really surreal and

the Farnham campus was invaluable. It really

dark, which has had a very big influence on

gave me confidence when I stepped into the

developing my style.”

real working world. Be ready to hit the ground

‘Angels’ follows the fictional owner of the Elephant and Castle shopping mall and

running, and retain the essence of what defines you as a filmmaker.”

bowling alley, who is looking to pass on his role to a replacement, showing him the ropes in a farcical and bizarre manner. It was filmed in 2012, completed in 2013, and is enjoying numerous successes, having been selected for

To see Ian’s videos and showreel visit: www.ianponsjewell.com and to keep up to date with his new work visit: www.facebook.com/ipjewell

Left & Below Stills from the video ‘La La La’ by Naughty Boy ft. Sam Smith

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Feature

James and Carrie Saunders met at UCA Farnham (then known as the Surrey Institute of Art and Design) in 2003. In the 12 years or so that have followed, the pair have moved in together, got married, and founded Little Moose– a web-based business selling unique gifts and charming jewellery.

Here, James and Carrie chat to us about their story and their efforts to transition Little Moose from a re-seller of distinctive items to a niche brand for their own delightful characterbased jewellery and accessories.

How did you first meet?

James: We met at UCA when we began

Home is Where the Art is

taking lessons together following a course merge. After becoming friends, we started dating and have been together ever since!

Carrie: Being part of the tight-knit creative community at UCA Farnham meant that we were surrounded by like-minded people.

The fact that James was on my wave length creatively meant that we had an automatic connection, something that has played an important part in our relationship and our business ever since.

How did your relationship and careers progress after graduation?

James: Although some people drift apart when they leave university and move onto the next phase of their lives, Carrie and I stayed

James & Carrie Saunders BA (Hons) Graphic Communication, Farnham, 2004

James & Carrie Saunders 33 Little Moose's most recent collection

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Feature

“It’s amazing to be able to work with someone who you’re so comfortable with and so in-sync with creatively”

Left and Right Little Moose’s most recent collections

strong. Our careers however, took off on quite

started Little Moose, they were only just

different paths and it’s only recently, around

beginning to gain recognition and we spotted

the launch of Little Moose, that we have started

potential to also succeed within this market.

working together.

Carrie: Little Moose started out primarily as

Carrie: After graduating, I didn’t have a

a re-seller of unique gifts and accessories, but

clear direction professionally. Whereas James

we also used the site as a platform to sell our

fell straight into a ‘career’ role in web design

own designs. Both James and I enjoy creating

and digital marketing, it took me a little longer

cute products with a character design edge, and

to settle into a job and I tried my hand at a

our combined skill-sets allowed us to get Little

few things before taking up a position as a junior

Moose off the ground.

designer at Disaster Designs – a wholesale designer and manufacturer of exclusive collections.

How has the business evolved?

James: For the first few years, we balanced

How did Little Moose come about?

James: My experience in digital combined

running Little Moose with our full-time jobs –

with Carrie’s gift for doodling and experience

very hectic! The business was performing well,

in the giftware industry led us to set up Little

but there came a time when we realised that it

Moose around five years ago when we became

could never reach its full potential unless we

aware of an increase in demand for unique

dedicated ourselves fully to it. By focusing on

handmade gifts and accessories. Although

our own designs we could better control pricing,

websites such as ‘Etsy’ and ‘Not on the High

as well as have a greater sense of achievement in

Street’ are well-known now, back when we

turning our dreams into a reality.

needless to say, evenings and weekends became

James & Carrie Saunders Carrie: It was a difficult, not to mention

a studio. The main vision is to be in a position

scary decision to make, but in the summer of

where Little Moose stock is made up almost

2013 James quit his job at the agency, where he

entirely of our products and you can find Little

had worked for almost a decade, to run Little

Moose designs in retail outlets around the world.

Moose full-time. I reduced my hours at Disaster

Carrie: If Little Moose is as successful as we

Designs, where I am now a senior designer, so

know it could be, then there could be some very

that I too could give the business the attention

exciting times ahead. The short term dream

and time it would need to become a success.

would be to have a team of people working with us and in the long term it would be amazing to

How is Little Moose doing now?

James: In the past year or so, Little Moose

eventually have our own store. We're sure that

has gone from strength to strength and this is

and the unique designs that we're creating.

actually a really exciting time for the business

We're excited for what the future holds.

there is a place in the market for Little Moose

as we are moving towards primarily selling our own creations on the site.

Carrie: Having more time to dedicate to Little Moose has made a massive difference.

James now manages all of the digital side of things, including the website, blog, social media pages, SEO, etc. and I manage the financial side. We both contribute to the creation of our designs; I often start with sketches on paper and James develops the ideas digitally, which are then laser cut externally and pieced together by hand at home.

Does working with your spouse make running a business easier, or more difficult?

James: The honest answer is that it’s a bit of both! It’s amazing to be able to work with someone who you’re so comfortable with and so in-sync with creatively. It makes communication open and ideas come freely.

On the other hand, working and living together definitely comes with its challenges…

Carrie: Running a business with the person you love makes everything so worthwhile and meaningful. However, when you combine business and marriage it can be hard to ‘clockoff’ and it takes effort to carve out time to ourselves. I think the fact that Little Moose is a creative business makes it much easier though, as the whole process is fun and something we love doing!

Where do you hope the business will be in 5 years’ time?

James: I think we both have really high hopes for Little Moose and would love to see it evolve to the point where we would be able to have a small team and perhaps an office and

Check out the Little Moose website and latest collections at www.littlemoose.co.uk

Below Little Moose’s most recent collections

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36

Feature

Jonathan interviewing on Shek 'O Beach

Jonathan Ramalho

37

Hong Kong: the Creative East-West Gateway Jonathan Ramalho BA (Hons) Graphic Design: New Media, Epsom, 2014

Jonathan spent his Study Abroad year in China creating ‘Designers Inbetween’, a documentary exploring Hong Kong’s creative industries through the lens of 14 companies ranging from start-up initiatives to the industry’s leading firms. We speak to Jonathan to find out what it’s like to work in Hong Kong, as opposed to Europe and America.

What inspired you to create the ‘Designers Inbetween’ documentary?

The journey began when I studied at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University during my Study Abroad year in 2013. I teamed up with Oliver Lehtonen and Miiro Seppänen, both award-winning designers who were also studying out there.

I was fascinated by Hong Kong’s diverse environment and eager to convey the enhancement of independence for creative entrepreneurs. I was captivated by the strategic advantages and challenges that artists face in

38

International

“I was motivated to reveal what I believed to be currently one of the hottest design capitals”

a global financial capital, and how the industry is so different from the West and the rest of Asia.

I was motivated to reveal what I believed to

However, once we got the ball rolling, the project evolved faster than we ever could have imagined. We set up interviews with local

be currently one of the hottest design capitals,

design agencies, and it was great as everyone

especially considering that more and more

seemed interested in contributing to our

businesses are turning towards design talent for

project. Some even said they had been waiting

guidance on how to be more imaginative while

for an opportunity just like this to capture

growing a business.

the stories of this unique artistic community.

We were welcomed to people´s studios and

What did you enjoy most about living and working in Hong Kong?

I was provided with a holistic and invaluable insight into the unique culture and traditions,

homes, and greeted with open arms. In contrast, Western-based studios sometimes tend to be more reserved, which can make it hard to gain an insight.

and how people adapt their lives to this, and experience the separation the poor and wealthy lifestyles.

Being in a new environment which offered

How do the creative industries in Asia compare with the West?

Hong Kong is a gateway from East to

endless opportunities to pick up new skills

West, so most designers work in between both

was amazing. I experimented with production

markets. While they are neighbours to the rest

design, information design, strategic brand

of the fast-growing Asian economy, they are still

management and art direction. I also enjoyed

driven towards Western clientele.

working with designers and other practitioners

The creative sector is already mature

who spoke barely any English, meaning that I

and well-established in America and

learned a deeper, more creative communication.

Europe. Designers are more likely to pick the comfortable route of working in-house in a large

How did you go about planning and researching the documentary?

At first it was tricky to find the right

agency or a company, which has created a more linear career path. In Hong Kong, designers are pushing the boundaries and being more

connections. Many organisations found

experimental. Instead of firm hierarchical

our approach difficult to understand. In a

models like in the West, the city´s young

city like Hong Kong, that has a focus on the

industry turned out to be fresh and original, and

conservative financial sector, a relatively small

seemed to operate from small studios hidden

project about the creative industries and an

within skyscrapers. We found that Hong Kong

uncommon team of three young designers was

has become one of the best places for anyone

something very new.

planning to start up a creative business with

Jonathan Ramalho

39

effortless procedures and good supporting infrastructure.

From a European perspective, Hong Kong showed that there is a fresh entrepreneurial spirit on the horizon. Within the industry, people were dedicated to working long hours and all shared the optimism of working in a fastgrowing economy.

Experiencing the city first-hand transcends any individual with spontaneous accounts.

This fuels designers, who are inspired by the mystical imagination that Hong Kong has to offer, such as the late night street markets in Kowloon to an enormous rubber duck floating in Victoria Harbour.

Top Artist Ceet being interviewed by Jonathan

In terms of creative business, Hong Kong is definitely reaching out to support the creative scene as well as start-ups. With this combination we are seeing more designers becoming independent with their creative ventures. They

Middle Jonathan and Oliver at Shek ‘O Beach

are forming their own micro brands which professor, author and designer Roger Ball, and founder of ‘C’monde’ industrial design studio Johan Persson, cover exceptionally well in our

Bottom Paola Sinisterra and Ingacio Garcia at Tangram studio being interviewed by Jonathan

documentary.

How do you feel your experience at UCA has helped develop your skills and style?

UCA opened me up to new ways of thinking.

Being taught by a range of professionals with such diverse practices and backgrounds, I gained a wider and more unique perspective of the creative industries. As an artist, UCA provided me with great opportunities to raise my consciousness and self-awareness. It helped me to learn how to articulate ideas in order to engage effectively with the right audience.

Now that you’ve graduated from UCA, what are your ambitions for the future?

The plan is to hold the premier of ‘Designers Inbetween’ at Business of Design Week, which is held in Hong Kong from 2 - 7 December.

My ambitions lie within social innovation and shaping rich digital communication experiences that are so impactful and compelling they become memories that audiences never forget.

To read more about Designers Inbetween visit: www.designersinbetween.com

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Feature

The Cat that got the Screen Getting her inspiration from watching Disney animations as a child and behind-the-scenes documentaries, animation alumna Laura Nailor was taken by the concept of capturing lifelike movements and transferring her cartoon drawings to the screen.

the film is animated in rough, and every frame is drawn out using Flash in a similar method to traditional pencil and paper animation. In a typical day for Laura, she works in-depth on just a few seconds of animation.

Laura said: “It’s great to be able to see instant feedback from people as soon as a film

Laura used her time at UCA Farnham to develop

is published online. The ‘Simon’s Cat’ stories

her own style of animation. After graduating

have a very universal humour, and they are easy

in 2006, she attended a Skillset networking

to identify with, especially familiar for anyone

event where her graduation work was being

who owns a cat. There definitely seems to be

showcased. Here she secured a Flash animation

something about cats on the internet at the

job at Tandem Films from Animation Director

moment, so we’ve really tapped into something

and fellow UCA alumnus Daniel Greaves. After

popular, which is perhaps why the ‘Simon’s Cat’

four years of doing freelance animation for

cartoons are so successful.”

Tandem and working on television and web

When Laura started working in animation

commercials, in 2010 Laura started animating

the ratio of light-box desks to computer desks

full-time for ‘Simon’s Cat’.

was considerably lower than it is today. 2D

She said: “I like how observational and true to life the ‘Simon’s Cat’ series is, and tries to capture an essence of funny animal

computer software has replaced pencil and paper to a high degree.

She said: “I think that the boost in

mannerisms. Because the style is quite minimal,

popularity of online content, new technology

the focus is all on acting and good movement,

and platforms becoming so accessible, makes

which is what I enjoy most about animating. I've

it an exciting time to be making creative art.

learnt a lot about comedy timing while working

Animation is a great medium for escapism and

on ‘Simon’s Cat’.”

provides us with entertainment and

Working closely alongside creator, Simon

often with humour. It's become possible for

Tolfield, each film begins with Simon sketching

anyone to experiment and create animation,

out some detailed storyboards on paper.

and to reach an audience so there's a lot of

Working in Adobe Flash, Laura then develops an

variety around.”

animatic. At this stage Simon and Laura work out the timings and review how it works as a film, perfecting the story and the jokes. Next,

Laura Nailor BA (Hons) Animation, Farnham, 2006

Watch Laura’s animations at www.simonscat.com

Top Laura working at Tandem Films Right Copyright © Simon’s Cat Ltd

Laura Nailor

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Feature

Dr Jennie Jewitt-Harris

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After many years of working as a doctor, Dr Jennie Jewitt-Harris decided to take her career in a different direction and pursue an MA in Fine Art. She now combines art and science in her work and has recently taken up the position of Artist in Residence at the Watts Gallery, An Artists’ Village in Surrey.

The Art of Medicine

by Dr Jennie Jewitt-Harris

Dr Jennie Jewitt-Harris MA Fine A rt, Farnham, 2013

The interface between art and science has

experience, such as Grace Pailthorpe, Frida

intrigued me for a long time. Finding a way to

Khalo, and Eileen Agar, multi-media artists

combine the two disciplines is something I’ve

such as William Kentridge, and collagists such

always dreamed of. It feels very good to be at a

as Hannah Hoch.

place now where I’m using my understanding

explore how psychological theory has inspired

interested in.

art. It was a great opportunity to lose myself

I’m a medical doctor and psychologist, and

Left ‘Time Passing’ collage and charcoal drawing

Studying at UCA Farnham allowed me to

of both, and exploring subjects that I’m really

in the subject, and to discuss and debate my

I have worked in the field of transplantation

work with other like-minded artists. The

for some time, firstly in clinical research,

lectures were excellent, with a variety of

and more recently setting up and running

different tutors and speakers bringing fresh

a medical charity called ‘Transplant Links’.

ideas and experience. The 2012 Olympics took

I’ve been interested in art for as long as I can

place during my time on the course, and I was

remember, and was always keen to draw and

selected to take part in the Cultural Olympiad

visually record my work. However, it wasn’t

Cross Campus Initiative as the photographer

until I became involved in the project Visions

for a theatrical production depicting the

of Science, a photographic competition that I

stories of the 1908 Olympics. This gave me the

chaired, and ‘Thank You for Life’, a book about

chance to develop my interest in stereoscopic

the experiences of people who have benefitted

photography, and participate in an exciting

from organ donation, that I finally decided

Olympics-inspired exhibition.

to take my passion for art more seriously. My

I have found that there are pluses and

influences have tended to be artists whose work

minuses to having a scientific or medical

is also inspired by medical or psychological

background as an artist. As I still work in

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Feature medicine, I see the impact that life-changing medical events have on people’s lives and this has very much been the inspiration for my recent work. I would describe my artwork almost as an “investigation” into a subject.

Right Stereoscope and photographs, cast in bronze

Each subject that I work on is looked at in a

Below ‘Standing on the Edge of Time’ - collage and charcoal drawing

medicine that define a moment in a person’s

variety of ways, and my drawings, collages and stereograms often have the appearance of a diagrammatic investigation.

I’m very aware that there are events in life. At that moment people often have to navigate through a new landscape that perhaps they weren’t prepared for. It’s that moment that I’ve been interested in.

There are many aspects of transplant medicine that provide inspiration for my art. It’s a transforming area of medicine that can take someone from the brink of death to a new life. At the same time the beliefs that underpin whether or not we decide to be organ donors provides tremendous material to respond to artistically.

While I haven’t completely given up my medical work, my MA has marked a real shift in emphasis to making art. My advice to other professionals is to take what inspired you in your previous work, and use that experience in your artwork.

As well as working part time for the medical charity I am also Artist in Residence at Watts Gallery and An Artists’ Village in Compton. I was invited to interview for this after the MA show in 2013, and was delighted to take up the position at the beginning of this year.

Though my style couldn’t be more different to Watts’, he was very interested in the subject of the human condition and our relationship with time which I find inspiring. I have a studio there and it’s giving me a real opportunity to develop my work further, leading up to a solo exhibition next year, as well as an exhibition later this year with other UCA alumni. If I have a future of research, collaborations, exhibiting my art and using the set of skills I’ve built up, I’ll be very happy.

Jennie’s work can be seen in Time and Tide at the New Ashgate Gallery in Farnham from 28 October to 2 November, and monthly at Watts Open Studio (see wattsgallery.org.uk). Her solo exhibition will be at Watts Gallery in June 2015.

To view Jennie’s art visit: www.jenniejh.co.uk

People

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Reconnect at Rochester On a glorious sunny Thursday in June, around 60 alumni spanning six decades of UCA’s history all gathered together at the UCA Rochester campus for an evening of relaxing, reconnecting and reminiscing.

UCA Rochester and its founder institutions have nurtured a number of illustrious alumni such as Karen Millen OBE and Dame Zandra Rhodes.

Another notable alumnus from Rochester and UCA honorary graduate, was the first guest speaker, Stephen Webster MBE. The

The alumni made the most of the

international jewellery designer spoke of his

opportunity to network and swap stories

time studying at Medway College of Design

with former classmates and tutors, as they

and how his global career has developed

enjoyed refreshments on the terrace.

over the years. The second guest speaker was

Guests also appreciated meeting other

media expert and UCA honorary graduate Jill

generations of Rochester graduates, who

Cochrane who spoke to the group about her

studied at the Medway College of Art and the

career in media and presentation skills training.

Kent Institute of Art & Design. Very recent

Graduation Show, so the alumni were treated to

Arts also attended.

tours of the campus by student ambassadors,

Head of School of Fashion, Thomass Atkinson, gave a rousing welcome speech where he said: “Events such as these really

Below Alumni talking with Stephen Webster MBE

The reunion coincided with this year’s

graduates of the University for the Creative

who showed them around the exhibitions of final year student work.

If you studied at Rochester and did not

enable our alumni to familiarise themselves

receive an invite to the reunion then please

with developments within the institution

update your contact details online or or contact

and get involved with its future. Our UCA

our alumni office.

community goes beyond the campus and extends both locally and globally, which is really important to us.”

alumni@ucreative.ac.uk www.ucreative.ac.uk/alumni

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People

David Haste, former Head of Fine Art, reflects on the creative career of Stass Paraskos

Stass Paraskos 1933-2014 Stass Paraskos was a painting lecturer in the

Cypriot churches. That was, until, as a young

School of Fine Art at Canterbury College of Art

man, he took the boat to England to work in

from 1966 to 1989. In the latter years he took

his brother’s café in Leeds and where he made

over the original degree painting course as the

small paintings to decorate the walls. These

college merged with others to form the Kent

were noticed by local art school tutors, who, in

Institute. A very popular tutor throughout his

1955, encouraged him to enroll at Leeds College

teaching career, Stass inspired generations of

of Art where he eventually became a full time

students and earned their affection and respect.

student, albeit briefly. He formed a strong

He regularly worked alongside his students,

friendship with his tutor, Terry Frost, and

making and painting, sharing their aspirations

moved to Cornwall where he became associated

with unquenchable enthusiasm but above all an

with the St Ives Group and shared a studio with

imbuing love of art.

Wilhemne Barnes-Graham.

Stass became the most significant and

Stass encountered notoriety with his first

internationally renowned Cypriot artist of

solo exhibition, ‘Lovers and Romances’, at

his generation. He was born and raised in

Leeds in 1966. Some of the paintings depicted

Anaphotia, a small remote village in southern

caressing naked figures and, following

Cyprus, when the island was still a British

public complaints, were seized by the police.

colony and very different from the major tourist

Stass became the last artist in England to be

resort it is today.

prosecuted under the 1838 Vagrancy Act that

From the beginning he was instinctively

had earlier been used against DH Lawrence.

attracted to visual imagery, but the only art

At his trial, art world luminaries, including

he saw on the island were the traditional

Herbert Read, Quentin Bell and Norbert Lynton

religious icons, murals and ornaments in

came to his defence, but the case was lost.

Right Stass Paraskos

Alumni Name

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Feature

Stass Paraskos

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“Like religion, art is at its best when it is a simple activity but as in religion, simplicity can lead to the experience of something incredible” Even so, with his reputation considerably

many years of inspired teaching. The qualities

enhanced, Stass began teaching at Leeds and

he brought to this were founded upon Stass,

Canterbury art colleges, received a sympathetic

the artist. All of his paintings, drawings and

letter from Roy Jenkins, then the Home Secretary,

work across various art forms such as relief,

and was given a prestigious show at the ICA in

sculpture and printmaking enshrined one all

London with Ian Dury, from ‘Ian Dury and the

embracing subject – Cyprus - political events,

Blockheads’, who would later teach with him

village life, the everyday, folk art, myth, belief,

at Canterbury. Some years later the allegedly

ritual, symbols, tradition, pleasure and tragedy,

‘obscene work’ was purchased by the Tate Gallery.

all contemporary but layered with historical

Stass had a long cherished ambition to establish an art school in Cyprus and in 1969

Eventually retiring from Canterbury

he led a group of ‘students, artists, poets and

in 1987, Stass returned to Cyprus where he

hangers on’ to Famagusta and set up an initial

devoted the rest of his life to his Cyprus College

summer school. Following the Turkish invasion

and making art. His work was widely sought

of 1974 and the resulting chaos, these classes

after, he had regular solo exhibitions in Nicosia

moved to Lemba near Paphos, a picturesque

and the UK, and with one major international

old village set on a gentle hillside leading down

exhibition, he represented Cyprus at the 1996

to the sea. Here, in 1976, a profusion of studios,

Sao Paolo Bienale.

workshops and chalets, became established

For one who was largely self-taught, Stass

as The Cyprus School of Art. This sun-blessed

was a well read man and a distinctive writer of

location attracted a great many artists,

books about Cyprus and its mythologies as well

principally from the UK, to stay and teach as

as poetry, magazine and newspaper articles.

it did scores of students from Canterbury and

Stass died this year aged 81 and was buried at

other British art schools. Stass became a very

St Christopher’s church in his old home village

well known personality in Cyprus and by the

of Anaphotia. The generous qualities this man

1990s, following further expansion, the school

gave as artist and teacher to so many are best

evolved into the Cyprus College of Art; today it

reflected in his own words:

is a strong internationally recognised institution at Lemba and Larnaca.

Throughout these successful years, with

Left ‘The Red Nude’ by Stass Paraskos, 2009

ambiguities, past and present.

‘Like religion, art is at its best when it is a simple activity but as in religion, simplicity can lead to the experience of something incredible.’

regular periods spent in Cyprus, Stass’ family home remained in Kent. From 1970 he was a senior lecturer at the Canterbury College of Art (now UCA Canterbury) where he fulfilled

David Haste Head of the School of Fine Art Kent Institute of Art & Design 1982-98

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Creative Spotlight

Creative Spotlight At the most recent UCA Alumni Networking event, recent graduates gathered at The Whitechapel Gallery in London for drinks and canapés, with the opportunity to hear from a panel of industryexperienced UCA alumni. Attendees shared their thoughts on the current state of the creative industries.

What do you think is the next ‘big thing’ in the creative industries?

“Wearable technology” Jenny Taylor “Technology like 3D printing” Quarina Sultana “Holographic projectors from mobile devices” Ming Wu “More performance and sculpture in art work” Adam Kelly

Raj Khepar BA (Hons) Photography, Farnham, 2013

Gabriella De Mello Costa, MA Fashion & Lifestyle Journalism, Epsom, 2013

Debra-Lorraine Grant MFA Photography, Farnham, 2013

Adam Kelly BA (Hons) Fine Art, Farnham, 2012

Scott Farley, BA (Hons) Film Production, Farnham, 2012

Jenny Taylor MA Fashion & Lifestyle Journalism, Epsom, 2013

Quarina Sultana BA (Hons) Graphic Design: New Media, Epsom, 2013

Ming Wu BA (Hons) Product Design & Interaction, Farnham, 2013

Lucy Beckett BA (Hons) Fashion, Epsom, 2013

Thomas Sammut, BA (Hons) Graphic Design: Visual Communications, Maidstone, 2013

What has the most impressive thing you’ve seen in the creative industries this year?

“Speech recognition software for dyslexic students” Debra-Lorraine Grant “There was a lot of innovation at London Fashion Week this year“ Jenny Taylor “Latex and PVC in Fashion has been big this year” Gabriella De Mello Costa

“Social media to find jobs, suppliers and work” Thomas Sammut

“Sound architecture – building rooms and buildings with an emphasis on how sounds are heard in them” Quarina Sultana

“The growth of the short film market and music videos” Scott Farley

“Creating products out of reclaimed materials” Raj Khepur

“Sewing internships and jobs in this country to maximise the British skill set, rather than getting clothes made abroad – it’ll increase jobs in this country” Lucy Beckett

“Simply the fact that the creative industry has outgrown the financial industry this year – that’s amazing!”

Ming Wu “The rising interest of realism identifiable art work that presents things a little closer to home” Adam Kelly “3D printing and the speed of web design. I use Adobe software a lot and that is constantly evolving” Thomas Sammut “New camera equipment like 4K resolution technology” Scott Farley

Share your stories We’re already looking for stories for our next edition. If you’ve got some exciting news to share, get in touch today. Simply email alumni@ucreative.ac.uk or give us a call on 01252 891464.

CREATIVE UPDATE

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Make sure you update your contact details with us www.ucreative.ac.uk/alumni to keep up to date with the UCA Alumni Association.

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University for the Creative Arts Alumni Magazine