Beyond Edition 12 Summer 2012 by Norwich University of the Arts

O Y E B

ISSUE 12 SUMMER 2012 THE MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF NORWICH UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF THE ARTS

CONTENTS

DIARY DATES UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE SHOWS

PRINCIPAL’S WELCOME

NUCA NEWS

ALUMNI AWARDS

REPEAT

MA DEGREE SHOW

NUCA NEWS

STUDENT SUCCESSES

Friday 31st August – Tuesday 4th September 2012

GENEVIEVE WEBSTER

SCOTTISH DANCE THEATRE 14

Wednesday 27th June – Tuesday 3rd July 2012

THE GALLERY AT NUCA:

ALUMNI NEWS

MA CURATION SHOW

AMY ROGERS

Tuesday 21st August – Tuesday 4th September 2012

BRAINCHILD

IDEAS FACTORY

REMEMBERING BB

LANCE WYMAN

NUCA NEWS

DAN TOMBS

NORWICH 20 GROUP

ALUMNI NEWS

MA CAREER PROFILE

MICHAEL CRAIGMARTIN: ALPHABET Tuesday 18th September – Saturday 13th October 2012

COLIN SELF: ONE THOUSAND SKETCHES Tuesday 30th October – Saturday 24th November 2012

DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

JAKE & DINOS CHAPMAN: MY GIANT COLOURING BOOK

ALUMNI BENEFITS & SERVICES

Tuesday 4th December 2012 – Saturday 12th January 2013

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO

For opening dates and times visit: www.nuca.ac.uk/thegallery

Front cover: ‘A Bull in a China Shop’ Photo: Jo Franklin

Magazine written and edited by Caroline Bailey with contributions from Stuart Anderson, Steff Lee and Louisa Milsome. Designed by: www.designpod.info Copyright © Norwich University College of the Arts 2012. All rights reserved. Under no circumstances can any part of this magazine be reproduced or copied in any form without the prior permission of the copyright owners. All information is understood to be correct at the time of print. The University College cannot accept any responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information provided. For more information on the Alumni and Development Office please visit: www.nuca.ac.uk/alumni or email Caroline Bailey, Alumni and Development Officer at: alumni@nuca.ac.uk.

PRINCIPAL’S WELCOME

It is a great pleasure to introduce the summer edition of Beyond heralding as it does the concluding period of our academic year and the degree shows, which celebrate the work of students who graduate and join our community of influential alumni. Our undergraduate shows open on Wednesday 27th June and our MA Shows will start on Friday 31st August. I extend a warm welcome to all our alumni and supporters to join us to meet old friends and to look at the work of the class of 2012! I am also delighted to announce the appointment of distinguished actor, John Hurt CBE, as our first University College Provost. John began student life at Grimsby School of Art and went to the Central School to study Fine Art before transferring to RADA. John has remained actively interested in the arts and continues to paint from his new home in Norfolk. The role of Provost is to lead and champion the University College and John’s personal understanding of the arts, and of our Fine Art, Film and Animation courses in particular, make him a wonderful advocate for us. John is to join us from autumn 2012 and will take the role of Provost through to our 170th birthday anniversary in 2014/15.

Despite a very complicated environment for universities in the country at present I am pleased to say that applications for entry in September 2012 remain strong, and we will have the largest ever student body when everyone arrives this October, including our first students on the new BA Architecture course. Our popularity is a great tribute to the hard work of staff at the University College and to the reputation and quality of work of our current and past students and I am very proud of our reputation. As we go to print I am pleased by David Willetts’ university title announcement to Parliament. I welcome this recognition of NUCA’s 170 year history and acknowledgement of the sustained excellence of staff and student work which has put us at the forefront of teaching and research in arts, design and media in Europe. I hope you are able to visit the degree shows and to see some of the changes taking place on campus. If not, I extend an invitation to visit at any time to see how we are evolving and developing. With best wishes Professor John Last PRINCIPAL

NUCA NEWS

ACTOR JOHN HURT TO BE NUCA’S FIRST PROVOST

As announced in the Principal’s Welcome (page 3), Norwich University College of the Arts is delighted to welcome internationally acclaimed actor, John Hurt CBE as its first Provost. Best known for acting

roles in films which include Elephant Man, Midnight Express and more recently Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Harry Potter, John was an art student himself and still paints. As Provost, John will act as the ceremonial

figurehead and ambassador for the University College and will preside at official events, including graduation. He will also represent and promote the University College, particularly in the context of specialist arts, design and media education. On accepting the post, John described his aspirations and ambitions for his future role: “I hope that together with Professor John Last and his brilliant team I will be able to help make NUCA an arts university second to none and the envy of the most illustrious institutions not just in this country but worldwide. This may sound a boastful ambition but I believe, from what I have already seen of the work and felt of the atmosphere, that it is eminently possible. What greater privilege and honour could I have been offered and I will do my best to help achieve this ambition.” A formal inauguration will take place in the autumn and our new Provost will preside over the graduation ceremonies in 2013.

UNIVERSITY TITLE Norwich University College of the Arts looks set to be formally recognised as a university. The announcement in June 2012 by the Minister of State for Universities and Science David Willetts, will correct the anomaly that required smaller Higher Education Institutions to include ‘College’ in their name. The change is welcome news for NUCA, ending confusion about its title and 4

enabling our historic specialist institution to continue to attract outstanding creative students from across the UK and internationally. NUCA Principal Professor John Last commented: “We will submit an application to the Privy Council for our university title and will make an announcement on the outcome shortly.”

ALUMNI AWARDS

NUCA GRADUATE’S VFX AWARDS SUCCESS

DOUBLE BAFTA WIN FOR NUCA GRADUATES Three recent graduates from the BA Games Art and Design course at NUCA have been hailed as future stars of the video games industry after picking up the BAFTA Ones to Watch Award at the British Academy Video Games Awards in London in March 2012. As reported in the last edition of Beyond (Issue 11, winter 2012) Kristian Francis (2010), Sophia George (2011) and Rosie Ball (2011) received their nomination after winning the Dare to be Digital competition with their game ‘Tick Tock Toys’ in 2011. The game which uses the tilt and touchscreen functions of the iPad to control a toy robot as it traverses a toy box, solving puzzles along the way. After picking up the award, Rosie Ball who led Team Swallowtail on the project commented: “It’s such an honour and a privilege to win and we’re really grateful for everyone’s support. Winning the

BAFTA has given me confidence in our game and hopefully we will get to release it in the future.” It was also a night to celebrate for NUCA graduate Andy Green (MA Animation and Sound Design 2010) who was part of the winning team from Bossa Studios who picked up the BAFTA for Best Online Game – Browser award for their game ‘Monstermind’.

Graduate Dan Upton (BA Graphic Design (Animation) 2004), was part of the winning team at Jellyfish Pictures who recently won a trio of awards for their visual effects for the BBC series ‘Inside the Human Body’. The episode the team made was episode one ‘Creation’. The film follows the story of conception inside the female body and was awarded Outstanding Visual Effects in a Broadcast Mini-series, Movie or Special by the Visual Effects Society Award 2012, Gold Medal winner – Special Effects by New York Festivals Gold Medal 2012 and winner Visual EffectsTelevisual Bulldog Awards 2012. The series was also nominated for a Royal Television Society award in 2011.

NEW DARE TO BE DIGITAL TEAM ANNOUNCED Hoping to follow in Team Swallowtail’s footsteps are BA Games Art and Design graduate Felix Geen (2011) and Year 3 BA Animation student Andrew Jackson, whose team Fortify have been shortlisted for the Dare to be Digital 2012 competition taking place in August.

REPEAT Opposite page: '12 x 12 x 12' by Nick Rodgers

TEXTILES STAFF EXHIBIT AT NUCA GALLERY “I used to be a star” by Dr Hilary Carlisle

In January 2012 Dr Hilary Carlisle, Dean of Faculty of Arts and Design, and the Course Leader for Textiles, Nick Rodgers curated the popular exhibition ‘Repeat’ at the Gallery on campus, featuring a range of contemporary practices by NUCA textiles staff including lecturers and technicians. 'Repeat' acknowledges a fundamental motif within textiles and surface design and the subsequent manufacture of repeating patterns has a long history and wide geography. Digital fabric by Dr Hilary Carlisle, ‘I used to be a star’, uses processing software (processing.org) algorithms to generate designs which challenge the textile convention of the repeating pattern through 6

'Smocking is evil' by Les Bicknell

the introduction of controlled random elements. The five-pointed star shapes are initially drawn in regimented rows, but as the pattern develops each star point is allowed to move very slightly, distorting the symmetry of the motif. The work on display by Nick Rodgers, ‘12 x 12 x 12’ forms part of a series of works which explore repeat composition based on a representation of the times tables up to 12. Each colour used has a numerical value between one and 144, and the composition is developed from listing each table and then rearranging it within defined repeat structures. In ‘12 x 12 x 12’ there is a deliberate intervention in the repeat structure reflecting

the way we forget, remember differently or try and find new ways of remembering what we have learnt. Les Bicknell’s piece ‘Smocking is evil’, echoes the industrial world as he creates an assembly line in the studio. For 18 years Bicknell lived with his parents within the General Electrical Company estate. Although destined to work in the factory, the 1962 Education Act had created a path that would extend opportunities and divert him away from the world of the production line which is now, along with the houses, demolished. Other exhibitors included: Sarah Angold, Martyn Blundell, Zoe Miller, Louise Richardson, Jill Rodgers, David Tudge, Alison Willoughby, Jane Eastwood.

NUCA NEWS

VISITING PROFESSORS APPOINTED Leading creative industry experts have been appointed as Visiting Professors to courses at NUCA.

170 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE In 2015, NUCA will celebrate 170 years since the original Norwich School of Design was established in 1845 to train designers for local industries. The anniversary year will commence in October 2014 and continue until December 2015. To celebrate this special year, a programme of events will be held alongside a fundraising appeal to attract donations to support student scholarships and other projects that will secure the future sustainability of the institution for another 170 years and beyond.

Andy Earl's album cover for Pink Floyd's live album Delicate Sound of Thunder

International music photographer Andy Earl, Chief Executive of the British Film Commission and Film London Adrian Wootton, Sunday Times Design Editor and NUCA alumnus Gordon Beckett and award-winning and film and documentary maker Graham Creelman OBE, all high achievers in their field, will interact with students and provide insight into the professional direction of courses. Each Professor will give at least 8

two lectures to the relevant course area and will set and judge student project briefs. Andy March, Year 3 BA Photography commented: “Visiting lecturers bring with them a wealth of knowledge and you get time to talk to them on a one to one basis and to show them your work. They pick up on technical points you haven’t noticed as well as giving you an insight into their careers.”

Re-connecting with our alumni and supporters is an important aspect of the year and we would like to hear from you as to what kind of events you would be interested in attending and other ways in which you would like to support NUCA. We are also creating a timeline of major events in NUCA’s history and would love to hear your stories of your time at NUCA along with any old photos you would like to share. Please email us at: alumni@nuca.ac.uk. To keep in touch with the 170th anniversary and other news and events please register your details online at: www.nuca.ac.uk/alumni/register

STUDENT SUCCESSES

NUCA STUDENT WORK MAKES IMPACT IN AWARDS SEASON Year 3 BA Illustration students have been shortlisted for a number of respected awards: NUCA student Rupert Smissen, Year 3 BA Illustration, has been nominated for a prestigious Yellow Pencil in this year’s D&AD awards for his drawing of Natalie Portman’s character in the film Black Swan. His work has been described by the judging panel as: “very beautiful and strikingly original” and will be featured on the awards’ website alongside nine other shortlisted pieces. Another Year 3 student, Chris King, has been chosen to exhibit his entry for the Serco Illustration Prize at the London Transport Museum. This, along with recent announcements of a final five shortlisting for Gary Hunt in the RSA Student Prize and another D&AD Yellow Pencil

nomination for Stacey Knights proves that 2012 will be another strong year for NUCA’s BA Illustration course. The Association of Photographers has shortlisted work by Year 3 BA Photography students Joe Meers and Clare Fisher for its 2012 Student Awards. Year 2 BA Photography student Simon Bell has won Best of Year at the D&AD Student Awards 2012 for his response to a brief set by Rankin. Two other Year 2 Photography students will have their work displayed in the USA. Giulia Ranchetti has been chosen for ‘31 Women in Art Photography Exhibition’ at Hasted Kraeutler gallery, New York, in August 2012. Adam Burton’s work is to be exhibited at Humble Art’s Foundation Small Works exhibition at the Flash Forward festival in Boston in June 2012.

FASHION STUDENTS SHOW WORK AT HOUSE OF FRASER BA Fashion students put on a spectacular catwalk show on the shop floor of House of Fraser to provide the finale of Norwich Fashion Week in March 2012. The national retailer teamed up with the students to bring late night shopping to life with an in-store show of uniquely constructed garments displayed on shop mannequins and, for a live event, catwalk models. The evening was a huge success, the perfect end to a week focusing on fashion in Norwich and a tremendous opportunity for the students. House of Fraser

Katie Whitton, Year 2 BA Textiles, was presented with the Angela Houston Memorial Award in May 2012 for most outstanding work. The award, organised by the Costume and Textile Association, follows on from the initial award Katie received in 2010 when she was in her first year. Also receiving commendations were Emily–Rose Debenham, Year 3 BA Textiles, Lucy Wallis and Yasmin Wymer (both BA Textiles 2011). www.ctacostume.org.uk

GENEVIEVE WEBSTER INTERVIEW

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I KNEW RASTAMOUSE WOULD BE DIFFERENT

All images © to the Rastamouse Company

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GENEVIEVE WEBSTER GRADUATED FROM BA GRAPHIC DESIGN (ILLUSTRATION) IN 1988. HER CAREER STARTED AT PUBLISHING HOUSE FABER AND FABER THEN WENT VIA PENTAGRAM INTO CHILDREN’S PUBLISHING WHERE SHE HAS HAD A SUCCESSFUL 20 YEAR CAREER.

GENEVIEVE WEBSTER INTERVIEW

Genevieve Webster

In 2002, Genevieve met Michael De Souza, a Rastafarian swimming instructor who had an idea for a children’s book about swimming and asked Genevieve for advice. Together they created Rastamouse, an award winning, reggae playing crime fighting mouse who along with his Easy Crew, have leapt from the pages of the popular children’s books into a stop motion animation TV series for CBeebies. We asked Genevieve about her time at NUCA and the phenomenon that is now Rastamouse. Congratulations on your recent Broadcast Award in the Best Pre-School category.

How did you get started in your career? After graduating from Norwich, I moved to London to study for a part-time MA Illustration at Central St Martin’s. The atmosphere was so different to Norwich, it was quite a shock. I decided the course wasn’t for me so I left to get a paid job. I knew I wanted to work in publishing so I wrote to three publishers that I wanted to work for and was offered a position at Faber and Faber as a designer. Pentagram designed their book covers and subsequently offered me a job as a designer working on a broad range of projects. I then joined Heinemann publishing.

Thankyou. It was a real surprise to win as we had missed out on the Children’s BAFTA and I genuinely didn’t think we would win. I was completely unprepared but I am very proud and I have my award on display at home.

GENEVIEVE WEBSTER INTERVIEW Da Easy Crew

How do you think the course prepared you for your professional career? The most important thing was that I learnt about myself, what my own capabilities are. I have always been a self motivated person but I was encouraged to develop my ideas, to do things differently and this gave me confidence. When creating Rastamouse, I felt confident enough to create a character that was so different from what was already out there. This confidence to believe in my ideas was instilled in me at Norwich. Where did the inspiration for Rastamouse come from? Michael writes in rhyme and as I have a love for poetry, I read some of his work and found a poem about a mouse. I took this idea and taking Michael as inspiration, I created this character based around his image, with the rasta tam etc.

I knew Rastamouse would be different. He is one of the first black animal children’s character and it was important that he didn’t have any super powers. He is wise and can redeem situations by thinking and talking them through, which is where the ‘redemption not retribution’ theme comes from. I wanted him to be colourful and to have fun. Zoomer is influenced by my son and Scratchy is based on both mine and Michael’s daughters. I also have a love of the Caribbean culture, the warmth, the dialect and I have always loved reggae music. The music in Rastamouse is integral to the stories. Rastamouse plays in a reggae band and I wanted to open up children to music that they might not otherwise hear. Who else inspires you? I grew up watching Bagpuss and the Clangers. I also like the books by Dr Zeuss and those of Allan Ahlberg.

Why did you decide to self publish the Rastamouse books? From previous experience I knew this was a crucial decision to make and one I am so glad we made at the beginning. It sounds like a cliché but Rastamouse is our ‘baby’ so we wanted to protect him and we felt strongly that he had to stay true to how we created him. We applied for a grant from Arts Council England to publish our second book ‘Rastamouse and da Bag-a Bling’ and develop the website. How did the TV series come about? We had been approached by various production companies to make an animation series. We were about to sign a deal with Contender Entertainment who make Peppa Pig, but it just didn’t feel right so we turned it down. We were then approached by Greg Boardman from Three Stones Media and he just seemed to get what we wanted to do.

GENEVIEVE WEBSTER INTERVIEW Rastamouse

Rastamouse Books

I knew that stop frame animation was the right way to go especially with Derek Mogford who had worked on Postman Pat and Charlie Chalk on board. I was nervous about seeing the first maquette Derek presented but luckily he had done an amazing translation of my drawings.

How did you raise the capital to fund the original series?

Did you need to make any changes or compromises from the books for the TV series? CBeebies have been amazing to work with. We had to change a couple of things but overall they have allowed us to keep true to the books. Because of how the books are written, it has been an easy transmission into 10 minute animations. Dinamo Productions, who create the animations are fantastic. They make all the sets and costumes in their workshops and a have a team of amazing animators working on each episode. I feel so lucky that such talented people are looking after my ‘baby’.

We were extremely lucky that when Greg Boardman approached us he had already secured the initial investment from private investors and also the BBC wanted to commission it for CBeebies. Animation is so expensive to create. The first series cost £3.1m for 52 episodes. How important is branding and merchandise to the future of Rastamouse? Very important. Merchandise and licensing can help you to recover the costs of making the animation series and invest back into the production. There is an extensive amount of merchandise and Rastamouse also has a recording contract with EMI. I am currently working on a Rastamouse Live Show. He was asked to play at the Kidz Field at Glastonbury last year which was great fun. I was amazed how popular he was with all age groups but this is what I wanted to achieve with Rastamouse; a children’s TV series that appeals to the whole

family, for parents to sit down and watch it with their children and older children to watch it with their younger siblings. What are your plans for the future? It is quite full on with Rastamouse at the moment but I do have a couple of new ideas that I would like to work on. They say its best to strike while the iron is hot so it would be a good time to do something new but finding the time is difficult. Finally, if you were graduating this summer, what advice would you give yourself? Don’t let anyone ever tell you that you can’t do something, you must always believe in yourself. Have the courage to go with your instincts and to believe in your ideas. Make sure what you are doing is your passion. If you are passionate then all the hard work will be worth it. You will enjoy it so much more and it will never feel like a job! www.rastamouse.com

SCOTTISH DANCE THEATRE

ANIMATOR COLLABORATES WITH THE SCOTTISH DANCE THEATRE The Scottish Dance Theatre, Scotland’s national contemporary dance company, recently commissioned NUCA graduate and Animator Graeme Hawkins (MA Animation and Sound Design 2008) to create a series of animated projections for their new children’s show, titled ‘What on Earth?’ The production is a curious nocturnal journey full of surprising encounters with flora and fauna, with Graeme’s animations integrated with the dancers.

The project was a new experience for Graeme and observing the initial dance rehearsals inspired his animations. One sequence of the performance that Graeme is especially proud of is ‘Duck’s Dream’. The sequence involves a tight interaction between dancers Joan Clevillé and Solène Weinachter and his animation. Graeme was struck by the similarities between dance and animation as he

watched the production develop. He commented: “It was really interesting to see the dancers at work. Both practices are concerned with movement, more specifically, the control of movement, and I observed the dancers constantly performing their own individual movements, refining them, subtly changing and perfecting them. I found myself strangely identifying with them. Although I was quite jealous at how swiftly they could change their movements, something which is not as easy to do with animation!” ‘What on Earth?’ premiered in April 2012 at the Rep Theatre in Dundee, before touring to theatres in Stirling and Banchory, Scotland. www.retchy.com/pages/ project_sdt.html

ALUMNI NEWS

A to Z of St George’s by The Click

GRADUATE AGENCY AWARD SUCCESS

BUSINESS STARTUP MAGAZINE LAUNCHED A new monthly online magazine aimed at helping anyone who wants to start their own business has been launched. Leap Magazine was the idea of NUCA graduate Alina Sandu (MA Design 2010) and was inspired by her experience as a freelance graphic designer. Wishing to motivate others to take the leap of faith towards self-employment, she now collects advice and inspiration from business mentors and small business owners and publishes it once a month in the magazine. After working at a PR agency, Alina realised she would rather be in their design department so decided to study for an MA at NUCA.

It was her final masters project that gave her the idea for the magazine. Alina explained: “The two years I spent at NUCA definitely fuelled my passion for design-led behaviour change. I used everything I learned during my final project, a multi-buy share scheme and started getting in contact with my local small business community. I was delighted to find I was surrounded by likeminded people. Deciding to quit my job to focus all my energy into freelance work was one of the best decisions I ever made and I hope that the magazine will give other people the same confidence.”

Creative design agency The Click Design Consultants scored a hat-trick at the recent 2012 Roses Creative Awards for their work with one of Norwich’s oldest churches. ‘An A to Z of St. George’s’ acts as a guide to the intriguing history of St. George’s Church, Colegate, Norwich and is being sold to raise money for the repair and upkeep of the 600 year old building. Co-founded by NUCA graduate Bobby Burrage (BA Graphic Design 2002), The Click won gold in the Use of Typography category, silver in the Publications category and made it three in a row by picking up the Chairman’s Award selected by Steve Long. www.theclickdesign.com

leapmagazine.co.uk

AMY ROGERS

JOURNEY TO THE PODIUM An Olympic inspired project has commissioned NUCA graduate Amy Rogers (BA Fine Art 2011) to create a painting of one of the UK’s Olympic hopefuls and to record their journey to the podium.

a very calm and dedicated individual. This made me eager to represent him in the best way possible. I took some preliminary photos and decided to choose one as my final image to paint from.”

Amy was selected with 26 other artists to take part in ‘Journey to the Podium’, an art exhibition funded by Essex County Council. Each artist was paired with an Olympic hopeful and Amy partnered road and track cyclist Alex Dowsett who rides for Team Sky.

Whilst working on Alex’s portrait, Amy was also finishing her final year degree show work, also a series of portraits, and was awarded the Vernon Crowther Prize 2011.

Amy normally likes to get to know her subject before painting them and looks to reveal a side of them that they do not normally show. Amy did not know Alex, but was excited by the challenge and what the outcome might be. Amy explained: “When I met Alex he came across as 16

For this commission Amy decided to aim big with her painting to see if she could create greater impact than witha smaller canvas. As she explained: “I felt this was an opportunity for me to produce my largest painting yet. I chose to paint only half of Alex’s face as I thought it would create more impact and mirror his own focus and determination.”

The exhibition opened in February 2012 at Beecroft Art Gallery, Southend. Amy was also selected as one of 13 artists to have their work exhibited at the Houses of Parliament in August as part of the Art in Parliament project. The Race to the Podium exhibition is also credited with the ‘Inspire’ mark for London 2012, awarded to community based projects inspired by the Games. The collection of artworks from the exhibition will be permanently displayed in sporting and cultural venues across Essex. www.amy-rogers.co.uk

Opposite: ‘Alex’, 125cm x 100cm, Oil on canvas

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THIS WAS MY OPPORTUNITY TO PRODUCE MY LARGEST PAINTING YET

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BRAINCHILD L-R Bev Hurley, Chair of Judging Panel, Katie Whitton, winner and Prof John Last. Photo: Andi Sapey

Norwich fabric by Kate Whitton

BRAINCHILD 2012 YEAR 2 BA TEXTILES STUDENT KATE WHITTON, WAS ANNOUNCED AS WINNER OF THIS YEAR’S BRAINCHILD BUSINESS IDEA COMPETITION IN MARCH. Now in its fourth year, the competition provides a series of workshops on professional business skills to NUCA students and recent graduates before inviting them to pitch their business ideas to a panel of business mentors. Katie’s winning idea allows personal mementoes to be drawn then screen printed to make a unique fabric that can be used to make curtains, cushions, tea towels and other personalised items. Katie also plans to expand her business by creating a series of items using a non-personalised fabric consisting of iconic buildings and places relating to a particular city. She has recently designed a Norwich inspired fabric which could be used to 18

make souvenirs to sell to tourists visiting the city. Katie’s prize consists of £1,000 cash to help her develop her business and dedicated mentoring worth over £4,000 from each of the competition’s business mentors. The three previous winners of the competition also attended the awards ceremony. Angela Szczypka (BA Fine Art 2010) was the first winner of the competition in 2009. Angela is now running her own business full time, selling handmade and unique textile items through her website www.pinkworks.co.uk. Her items are now stocked in London shops and she is gaining commissions and orders from across the UK and America.

Laura Garrow (BA Visual Studies 2010) won in 2010 with her unique illuminated art pieces which combine her original paintings with state of the art LED technology. Since winning, Laura has built up her reputation as an artist and her work is exhibited at the Northcote Gallery on Kings Road, London. Sue Foster (MA Textile Culture 2010) winner in 2011 with her vibrant, digitally printed fabrics inspired by pattern books of the Norwich Strangers, has had a very busy year. She has recently received her first big order from the Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service and is selling her work through a gallery in Holt, Norfolk and her website: www.suefoster.eu.

IDEAS FACTORY

CHINA BULL Two graduates from NUCA have been commissioned to create a sculpture of a life-size bull made of china crockery through the ideas factory@NUCA. Heidi Myers (BA Fine Art 2011) and Matt Craven (BA Illustration 2011) were selected to work on the sculptures by housewares brand Maxwell and Williams’s UK distributor Valerie Graham Ltd and Snetterton Park, the UK’s destination retail and leisure experience in Norfolk. The brief was simple, the pieces had to be made of Maxwell and Williams crockery, be stunningly produced, eye catching and show off the products to potential customers. The bull model plays homage to the phrase ‘bull in a china shop’ and is a representation of a

Spanish bull in a deliberately aggressive, head down, hooves scraping at the ground pose. It is accompanied by a china bride made up of classic white crockery, which many of their customers buy as a wedding gift. Senior Lecturer, Les Bicknell led on the research, design and build of both pieces. Other recent projects commissioned via the ideas factory have included a new brand communication for the Flagship Housing Group, created by Year 3 Graphic Communication student Max Little and a 5 metre commemorative sculpture by Year 3 BA Fine Art student Liz Mannion, to celebrate the history of the site of a new housing development in Norfolk which was the former home of

‘A Bull in a China Shop’ Photo: Jo Franklin

Norwich City Football Club. The ideas factory@NUCA is a creative consultancy specialising in art, design and media and is a commercial outlet for students’ and graduates’ innovative thinking and talent. If you would like to receive details on new opportunities through the ideas factory@NUCA, please register for our new e-newsletter at: www.nuca.ac.uk/alumni/register To commission a piece of work through the ideas factoryfactory@NUCA please email Ed Walker, Business Director at : ideasfactory@nuca.ac.uk or call: 01603 610561.

REMEMBERING BB

Butterfly from BB’s World

REMEMBERING

IN NOVEMBER 2010, ANIMATOR AND NUCA GRADUATE STEFF LEE (BA GRAPHIC DESIGN (ANIMATION) 2008) WAS COMMISSIONED TO CREATE A SHORT FILM IN MEMORY OF CHILDREN’S AUTHOR, ARTIST AND NATURALIST DENYS WATKINS-PITCHFORD MBE, ALSO KNOWN BY HIS WRITING PSEUDONYM ‘BB’. The film, titled, ‘BB’s World’ features the last gnome in England following a young BB through his life observing this giant's fascination with nature and the Purple Emperor butterfly. The film was funded by Northamptonshire artist Rosalind Stoddart who wants to raise the profile of BB who grew up in Lamport, Northamptonshire and to give BB’s work a contemporary meaning and resonance. She also wants to develop his legacy and encourage people to engage with the countryside through contemporary art. The brief was to create an animated film that would take on the spirit of BB’s love of the natural environment which had acted as inspiration for his writing. Inspired by BB’s life and work, Steff immersed herself in months of research, whilst continuing her day job as an Animator. To assist

her on the project, Steff worked with a combination of artists throughout Europe including three of her fellow NUCA graduates. Rachinta Platts and Simon Hill (both BA Graphic Design (Animation) 2008) joined the project from an early stage, assisting Steff during pre-production with concept work and storyboard ideas. Rachinta designed the BB characters and worked with Steff in directing the animation and Simon created the beautiful textured backgrounds for the film. Steff then asked Terri Ellis (BA Graphic Design (Animation) 2007) to help with the production phase and animation, making the carp featured in the fishing sequence. During post- production, the team were joined by NUCA Technician Dr Phil Archer who helped with the soundtrack. Throughout the making of the film, the team collaborated online building

the film shot by shot. It took just over a year to complete the five minute animation. Steff who is also from Northamptonshire, was attracted to the project by the open brief. She explained: “Being able to make another animated short is something I have wanted to do since graduation. When this came up it was an opportunity I couldn’t resist. Through my research I was able to learn about the local countryside in the county I grew up in and create something that covered a subject that was completely new to me.” The premiere of ‘BB’s World’ was supported by The National Trust and The BB Society and took place on 28th April 2012 in the grounds of the National Trust property Lyveden New Bield in Northamptonshire. www.stefflee.co.uk

LANCE WYMAN

LEGENDARY GRAPHIC DESIGNER VISITS NUCA Legendary American graphic designer, Lance Wyman visited NUCA in May 2012 during his solo exhibition titled ‘You are Here’ at The Gallery at NUCA. Lance Wyman graduated from the Pratt Institute with a degree in industrial design in 1960 and went on to develop an iconic functional style which can be seen in some of his bestknown works including the Washington DC Metro map, the

Lance Wyman at The Gallery at NUCA Photo: Finola Gaynor, Curator

1968 Mexico Olympic logotype and the 1970 Mexico World Cup stamps, graphics and posters. Mexico ‘68 was the first Olympics to be hosted by a developing country and took place against a backdrop of national political upheaval and student protest. This political and uneasy atmosphere resonated through Lance’s work which combines traditional forms from Mexican culture and 1960s

Op-art kinetic typography to create a geometric graphic stamp, rather than a traditional image. The event itself is now synonymous with the Black Power salute performed by American gold and bronze medallists Tommie Smith and John Carlos. Lance’s home country was similarly wracked by protests against the Vietnam War and the assassination of Dr Martin Luther King.

Obama ‘08 poster

Mexico ‘68 Olympic Games

Lance’s work on Mexico ‘68 made his name and ‘You are Here’, curated by Finola Gaynor, displayed a variety of the iconic designs which he created throughout his career. This included the first ever commemorative stamp issued by a government (by Mexico for Dr Martin Luther King), a recent campaign poster for Obama ‘08 and the signage system for the US National Zoo in the Smithsonian Institute.

During his visit to NUCA, Lance gave a lecture to current design students on his career and spoke about some of his work in the exhibition. We also used the opportunity to invite some of our graphic design graduates back to NUCA to attend a reception with him. This was followed by a Q&A on his work, career, influences and observations of design today.

The exhibition also coincided with a visit to Norwich by Dr John Carlos who attended the exhibition and talked to students about his memories of Mexico ‘68. www.lancewyman.com

OUT OF WATER

PERFORMACE ARTIST COMMISSIONS PIECE FOR THE CULTURAL OLYMPIAD Performance and Visual Artist Caroline Wright (MA Fine Art 2002), has commissioned a new piece, titled ‘Out of Water’ to be performed at Holkham Beach, North Norfolk as part of the Cultural Olympiad 2012. Caroline along with artist Helen Paris will use a combination of visuals and music in the piece, including a new score by composer Jocelyn Pook (recent film scores include ‘Gangs of New York’ and ‘Eyes Wide Shut’) and features the solo voice of UK soprano Laura Wright. Pook’s sound score will use Laura’s voice as the central instrument but also incorporates sounds recorded on the beach at Holkham and material from the Norfolk film and folk archives. 24

At 8.00am for three mornings in August 2012, a large group of singers and swimmers drawn from across the county will strike out towards the water’s edge until they span the wide expanse of beach. The audience will wear wireless headphones and experience stories of endeavour, of swimming, of sinking, interweaved with haunting music, lifeguard drills, calls for help and struggles for breath. ‘Out of Water’ is rooted in the landscape of Holkham, a place of childhood holidays for both artists. It explores themes around family, memory, and what we pass on from generation to generation. It uses words and actions to explore our links to the sea and to song, incorporating lifeguard drills taken from the 1940s, with seaside songs and shanties.

Caroline Wright is a member of Live Art Collective East (LACE), an artist-led organisation based in the East of England which has commissioned eight new original art works in unexpected places for the Cultural Olympiad 2012. Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games commented: “‘Out of Water’ is encouraging people to fulfill their potential. I am proud that with the help of partners such as LACE and the Holkham Estate, we are delivering our vision to use the power of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to boost participation in the arts.” www.liveartcollectiveeast.com

Photo: Tony Millings

DAN TOMBS

Dan Tombs

DAN TOMBS An exciting new exhibition of immersive digital prints and glitching video work by Visual Artist Dan Tombs (BA Fine Art 2003) was held at Norwich Arts Centre in May 2012. The exhibition was part of the arts centre’s Speed Up! programme to coincide with the annual Norfolk and Norwich Festival (NNF). Dan’s work explores the cracks in video technology and looks for ways in which to pull apart the technical stability of an image. He physically corrupts circuits, creates short circuits and exploits the code of systems to make new and interesting aesthetics. The exhibition includes floor to ceiling prints on foil that use the natural daylight of the exhibition space to create

shadows, colour and movement across the floor. The exhibition also includes a selection of music videos and live video projections Dan has created for bands including Gold Panda, Walls, Hyetel and Jon Hopkins. Talking about the exhibition Dan, who also lectures on the Film Course at NUCA, explained “To exhibit as part of a festival such as the Norfolk and Norwich is a great way to gain exposure, to get your work seen by a new and wider audience and on a scale you cannot always achieve on your own. To have a static exhibition has allowed me to create more permanent pieces of work and to create prints on a larger scale than I normally would have the resources to do.”

The Speed Up! line-up also featured a performance by electronica musician Luke Abbott (BA Fine Art 2003) who with Nathan Fake also on the bill, played to a packed Norwich Arts Centre crowd. Dan also provided video projection for Luke and Nathan’s sets and toured with the band Walls in May creating live visuals for their live dates throughout the UK. To find out more about Dan’s work, please visit: www.dantombs.net

ALUMNI NEWS

Oliver Creed

Grant Ley

Andy Campbell

LOOKING INTO TWENTY The Norwich Twenty Group has a long association with NUCA and was formed in 1944 by a group of professional artists, mostly teachers at local schools and Norwich School of Art. The group which now has over 70 members held their annual exhibition titled ‘Looking into Twenty’ at The Forum, Norwich, in May 2012. The exhibition featured a number of former students of the University College, some who studied here in the 1960s and more recent graduates including an installation by Henry Jackson-Newcomb (BA Fine Art 2011). 26

Highlights of the exhibition included two mixed media sculptures by Graphics Course Leader Andy Campbell, a series of photopolymer etchings by Ann-Mari Stevens (BA Fine Art 1998), a trio of Stoneware sculptures by Oliver Creed (BA Fine Art 1986), a digital video by Chris Loukes (MA Fine Art 2007) titled ‘Gentleman’s Walk’ which represents the hustle and bustle of everyday life and pencil drawings by Linda Chapman (MA Fine Art 2010). A talking point of the show was 2011 Visual Studies graduate Grant Ley’s ‘I’d make an

excellent surgeon’. The sculpture features a life size model of a man called Richard who works as a janitor in a hospital and has aspirations to be a surgeon. He has always been overlooked, perhaps due to his disability. The piece provokes discussion about discrimination and the drastic action Richard feels he has to take to demonstrate he has the skills required to fulfil his ambition. www.norwich20group.co.uk

ALUMNI NEWS

ARTIST ‘SHOW ME THE MONET’ CREATES QUEEN IN BANKNOTES

NUCA GRADUATES FEATURE IN BBC’S

Jacqui Jones and Kirsty O’Leary-Leeson. Photo: Andy March

‘Queen and Country’ by Terry Woodvine

Two NUCA graduates have been selected from 3,000 hopefuls to take part in the BBC2 series ‘Show me the Monet’. The 15 part series follows amateur and professional artists as they compete for a place at the ‘Show me the Monet’ exhibition and art sale at The Mall Galleries, London.

A painting of the Queen created from banknotes by artist and NUCA graduate Terry Woodvine (BA Graphic Design (Illustration) 1998), has received international attention in view of the recent Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The painting was originally created for the Golden Jubilee in 2002 when the country was more prosperous and was a reflection on consumerism in our society.

Jacqui Jones (BA Visual Studies 2008) and Kirsty O’Leary-Leeson (BA Fine Art 2011), were shortlisted to face the show’s judges, and if selected for the final 36 will get to exhibit their work before gallery curators, art buyers, art dealers and critics. Jacqui commented: “I thought the show would be a great way to raise my profile and to get some critical feedback on my work. Even if I didn’t make the final 36, I would get some good comments to come away with.” Jacqui, an environmental artist submitted a piece of sculpture

titled ‘A Bag for Life’ – an embryonic figure made from water soluble plastic. Kirsty’s reasons for applying were to get her work seen on television, into London and in front of potential buyers. Her work, titled ‘All at Sea’ was a piece she had made for her degree show. She was also a finalist in the Saatchi Showdown 2011 and her drawings are featured on Saatchi Online. Although they cannot say if they have made the final 36, both artists found making the programme a positive experience. Kirsty concluded: “It was an exciting process to be part of and the feedback I received from the three art judges has given me lots more confidence and determination for the future.” ‘Show me the Monet’ starts 9th July 2012 at 5.15pm on BBC2.

The 7ft portrait titled ‘Queen and Country’ is extremely detailed and took Terry four months to paint. The painting has been exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts and has been featured in the national press in the UK and America. Terry is delighted that the Diamond Jubilee has brought the painting back into the media spotlight and hopes the exposure will lead to more opportunities in the future. 27

MA CAREER PROFILE

“ MY MA HAS GIVEN ME A CAREER RECHARGE” If you are thinking of developing your professional practice or furthering your career with an MA or research qualification you may want to think about studying for a postgraduate course at NUCA. The hallmark of our degrees is an emphasis on practice-based

CASE STUDY

work combined with a demanding level of academic rigour and intellectual stimulus. Teaching staff are all practitioners themselves and bring this perspective to their teaching. Postgraduate students have access to all of the workshop facilities and

the Library. The new Graphics Studios opened in January providing MA Communication Design students with a contemporary and professional space to work in. A new MA Professional Photography degree will start in 2013.

asked Mark to tell us more about his decision to study for an MA.

NUCA are second to none – the Library resources and the marketing and research databases we can access would cost hundreds of pounds to buy.

Tell us a bit about your background? I completed an HND Graphic Design at Great Yarmouth College of Art and Design and then worked for over 20 years for clients such as BT, Legal & General, Pierre Cardin, Boots (No7), TieRack and Prudential. I returned to do a top-up BA at NUCA and began getting really passionate about design again. After the BA I began thinking about an MA.

MARK AMOS MA COMMUNICATION DESIGN Year 1 MA Communication Design student Mark Amos chose to study for his MA to recharge his career. We

How are you funding your study? I am doing the MA on a part-time basis which allows a good balance between paid design work and developing my own portfolio of personal projects. The facilities at

What are the benefits of studying for an MA? It has completely reinvented the way I think. The design process is not just about research and outcome; it is about developing my own ideology and methodology. I can develop my ideas with the support of Senior Lecturers, visiting professionals and access to the workshops. I considered the MA at NUCA several times and I only wish I had started much earlier. I was at a stage in my career where I was ready for a complete recharge. www.foliosoul.co.uk

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE COURSES AVAILABLE AT NUCA, PLEASE CONTACT ALICE KENT, MARKETING AND RECRUITMENT OFFICER AT: A.KENT@NUCA.AC.UK OR CALL: 01603 610561. 28

DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

Gabriella Beckhurst receives her award from Dr Hilary Carlisle, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Design.

RICHARDSON BROWN TRAVEL PRIZE The Richardson Brown Travel Prize is offered in memory of Frances Brown, a former student who left a legacy to NUCA to award a travel bursary worth £400. The prize is awarded to a current Year 2 student to allow them the opportunity to travel to enhance their creative practice. The Richardson Brown Travel Prize 2012 was awarded to Year 2 BA Fine Art student Gabriella Beckhurst. Gabriella intends to use the money to visit Berlin to research the contrasting styles of architecture that influence her work. Gabriella explained: “The opportunity to travel to Berlin will allow me to discover a diverse variety of spaces that I couldn’t possibly access locally. In an age of experiencing a vast amount of information through secondary 30

means – such as books, websites and documentaries, it seems so decidedly important to be able to perceive in real terms the actual presence of a building or artwork.” Gabriella aims to travel to Berlin during the summer break and on her return will present the selection panel with a travelogue detailing her trip along with visual material such as drawings, photographs, sketches or paintings. If you are interested in supporting an award or scholarship for a NUCA student or would like more information about leaving NUCA a legacy in your will, please contact Caroline Bailey, Alumni and Development Officer, at: c.bailey@nuca.ac.uk or call: 01603 756288.

ALUMNI FUND The Alumni Fund at NUCA was established in 2011 to support and enhance the learning experience of current and future students. The fund is supported by our annual call campaign but we invite donations to the fund at anytime. The Alumni Fund supports three key areas: Scholarships and Bursaries, The Gallery and a General Development Fund. Whatever the size of a donation, it can really make a difference and if we can claim Gift Aid on your behalf your donation will go even further. If NUCA has made a difference to your career and you would like to make a contribution to someone else’s please make a donation by completing a donation form, setting up a Direct Debit or you may consider leaving us a gift in your Will. To download a donation form, please visit: www.nuca.ac.uk/alumni/ supportingnuca

ALUMNI BENEFITS & SERVICES

NUCA CAREERS SERVICE SUPPORTING OUR GRADUATES Former students can continue to access the Careers Service at NUCA for the first three years after graduation or for longer with an Alumni Card. You can book a one to one appointment with the Careers Adviser by telephone, face to face or via Skype and attend career workshops and events held throughout the year. To book an appointment, please contact Richard Peat, Careers Adviser at: r.peat@nuca.ac.uk

call: 01603 751471 or Skype: nuca.careers

JOB SHOP Receive new job alerts by signing up to our free online job pages. To register please visit: www.nuca.prospects.ac.uk

DON’T FORGET TO TELL US IF YOU… Move house, change your email address, mobile or telephone number, start a new job or launch a new website/blog. You can use our online update form at: www.nuca.ac.uk/alumni/register

ALUMNI CARD

Career Appointments with the Careers Adviser Access to BarNUCA Reduced membership to Cinema City, Norwich Alumni membership to the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Norwich.

NUCA graduates can continue to access some of the University College’s resources after graduation with an Alumni Card. The card costs £25 and After the three years, you is valid for three years and can renew our membership gives you: by re-applying for your card. Access to Duke Street, To apply for your Alumni including the Library, Card, please download an Careers Service and application form: College Shop Personal log in and access www.nuca.ac.uk/alumni to the computer facilities Send it with your payment in the Library and a good quality passport Remote access to the sized photo to the Alumni intranet to view the and Development Officer Library, Careers Service at NUCA. and Alumni pages

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEW E-NEWSLETTER We will soon be replacing the monthly events list with a new regular e-newsletter detailing events at NUCA and those featuring NUCA graduates, new funding opportunities, call for entries for exhibitions and other news items that cannot wait until the next magazine. To subscribe to the mailing list, please email: alumni@nuca.ac.uk with ‘Subscribe to newsletter’ in the heading. You can also send in details of your events to the same address.

JOIN US ONLINE You can keep in touch with the University College and other graduates, receive invites to events and comment on NUCA news stories by joining our social networking groups: To join our Facebook group, search ‘The Official NUCA Alumni Network’ Join other creative professionals on Linked In, search ‘NUCA Alumni’ Follow us @NUCANews

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO

STEVE SHILLINGLAW (DIPLOMA INTERIOR DESIGN 1981)

ROD CHISM (BA GRAPHIC DESIGN 1982)

I just adored my Foundation Course and the subsequent three year vocational course in Interior Design at Great Yarmouth College of Art & Design (GYCAD, now incorporated within NUCA). It whet my appetite for study and I went on to complete a degree at Leeds Metropolitan University. I’m a designer through and through. My career started in museum/exhibition design in Liverpool during the 1980s regeneration programme. I was drawn back to Norfolk to work on the Castle Mall development for LSI Architects and eventually helped to create Bluespace in 2002. Bluespace is a Commercial Interior Design Studio with an impressive client list including Lotus, TWI, Broadland Housing, City College Norwich, Alan Boswell Group and Unilever. After 26 years I’m still passionate about design in our everyday environment and for me, it all began in Norfolk.

I’m back at university – life has gone full circle! This time, I’m in the driving seat – teaching. I ventured into the built environment, lecturing in the subject of landscape design. You’ve guessed it; I’m also a landscape designer. Pentagram, TV and Chelsea have been highlights along the way. Everything about Norwich made for a memorable three years. Our digs on Grosvenor Road and paying little or no rent! Great parties. Oh, and our weekends away in Cley! It would be great to hear from Philip Bird, Tony Searle and David Nicholson who all graduated in 1980 and any other graphic design graduates from my year. rfchism@btopenworld.com

AMANDA COUCH (BA FINE ART 1998) After Norwich, I wanted to travel as well as continuing to make my own work. This I did through residencies, travel awards and exhibitions that allowed me to experience many parts of the UK and Europe. My work was ephemeral and alluded to the body by its absence. Between 2003 – 2005, I did a Masters at the RCA in Printmaking, where I chased dreams of recording, reproduction, and repetition, making work that explored process through performance. Through this I gained teaching experience and I am now a Lecturer in Fine Art at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) in Farnham. My work currently encompasses photography, drawing, installation, performance, writing, and research. www.amandacouch.co.uk

steven@bluespaceltd.co.uk www.bluespaceltd.co.uk

amandajcouch@gmail.com

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO

PRUE DOBINSON (BA TEXTILES 2004) I am continuing to work with textiles concentrating on natural materials. I gather plants to make paper and also dye for paper and cloth. I have been busy giving talks and workshops and making work for Open Studios which took place in May 2012. I am Secretary for IAPMA (International Paper Makers and Artists Association), and currently organising exhibitions to coincide with a special show of Japanese Washi handmade papers in The Gallery at NUCA in spring 2013.

HOLLY RUMBLE (MA ANIMATION AND SOUND DESIGN 2004) I graduated from 2004 and have been working in live and sound art ever since. I am currently supported by a grant from the Arts Council England, through two of the regional development schemes: Escalator Performing Arts and Escalator East to Edinburgh. It gives me the time and resources to develop three specific pieces over a year, including taking two pieces up to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 2012: www.oneminutebirdwatching.com www.hearapindrophere.com

It is also the 40th year of the Norfolk Contemporary Crafts Society (NCCS) so members are working collaboratively for the October 2012 show at The Forum, Norwich, titled ‘Head, Heart and Hands’.

I have also been working at Norwich Arts Centre since 2006 as Exhibition Coordinator, helping emerging graduate artists with their first post-graduation exhibitions.

SUE LAW (MA FINE ART 2010) I am currently living in Cambridge and working in a co-operative studio called Cambridge Artworks. In July 2012 Cambridge Artworks will be showing an exhibition of works from our ‘Call for Entries’ competition with work from artists living in the East of England. The exhibition will be open during our Cambridge Open Studios when visitors can also see work by studio artists. I am a member of a group of artists exhibiting at The Gallery in Redchurch Street, Cambridge in June 2012. I am also part of ‘Future Perfect’, a group consisting of NUCA Alumni. Some of ‘Future Perfect’ will be exhibiting at The Aldeburgh Gallery, Suffolk later this year. www.cambridgeartworks.com

www.hollyrumble.co.uk

If you would prefer to read the magazine online, each edition is added to our webpage at: www.nuca.ac.uk/alumni

WWW.NUCA.AC.UK

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