BA (Hons) Fine Art

CAREER POTENTIAL: On completion of the course many of our graduates develop their professional practice by renting studio space and pursuing their careers as independent artists. Many find work in art-related occupations. Our former students are currently employed as teachers or lecturers, in journalism or art writing, as gallery curators or exhibition organisers and assistants, as researchers for publishing houses or in television production, film or digital media. Many will undertake postgraduate study, entering teaching through attaining a PGCE or continue the development of their work and ideas by undertaking an MA or MPhil in the UK or abroad.

COURSE CONTENT:

This is an exciting, stimulating and flexible course that will give you a broad-ranging introduction to Fine Art in year one and then enable you to specialise in your chosen medium in years two and three, or to work across disciplinary areas.

The course offers four specialist areas of study: Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking and Media Arts & Performance, each led by tutors who are also practicing artists and eminent in their fields. We offer additional support in photography, electronics, animation and ceramics. The course allows you to explore the relationships BA (HONS) FINE ART Campus: Howard Gardens Course Length: Three years full-time

Continued overleaf

between the different disciplines and media while giving you an opportunity to develop your talents to the full in areas that interest you most. Regular visits from significant contemporary artists allow for direct contact with the wider art world and help to build your understanding of the professional context in which artists work.

You will also be introduced to a range of histories and theories of art, which will help to inform your own ideas and place your work in a wider context.

SPECIALIST AREAS

PAINTING:

The painting area in Fine Art offers a challenging and rewarding environment in which core technical skills, such as the handling of paint, drawing and colour, are combined with thoughtprovoking contemporary ideas. We use a range of teaching methods, such as skills workshops, face to face tutorials, studio seminars, lectures, master-classes and diagnostic reviews - all designed to improve your skills, confidence and understanding of this ancient and complex craft. We offer regular access to taught drawing workshops, including figure, still-life, and experimental sessions, to strengthen your drawing and observational skills, underpin your visual practice and improve your expressive fluency. PRINTMAKING: The development of high-level skills and the creative expression of personal ideas is the central aim of the study in the Printmaking area. The range of crafts and media taught includes stone lithography, etching and other intaglio processes, screen-printing, relief printing and digital media, bookmaking and print installation. The printmaking area is supported by an art history and theory programme of lectures, seminars and presentations. In the studio, tutorials, seminars and critiques help develop further your judgment, awareness of context and personal research skills.

MEDIA ARTS & PERFORMANCE: The area offers a dynamic and experimental element of the course that encourages a multidisciplinary approach to contemporary art practice. Performance art, animation, video, sonic, interactive and installation art, and digital media are explored to enable you to reflect your own ideas and research. Staff members work with you to deliver lectures on the history and development of performance art, video and media arts. You are encouraged to contribute to weekly shows and are supported through tutorials and technical workshops covering video shooting and editing, Web design and DVD authoring.

SCULPTURE:

In the Sculpture area students begin their study learning a variety of processes and skills - including metalwork, woodwork, plaster, casting, wax and clay - which are taught in relation to ideas and contexts. As you move through years two and three, you will develop research skills by visiting museums and galleries and discussions with artists. Alongside the process of making in the studio, you will explore current and emerging debates within art and learn how art institutions such as galleries and museums function, the role artists choose to take in relation to them. What defines Sculpture is up for grabs - the world of ideas, matter and things are all open for consideration for those who make art.

STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAMME:

Year one: You will be introduced to the full potential of the Cardiff School of Art & Design, its teaching philosophy, facilities, teaching areas, technical services and the general ambience of the city and its surrounding areas. In the first module you are able to select from a rich palette of media and skills to start to build your own artistic identity, at the end of which you will make an initial choice of specialist study. You are then based in one of the four disciplinary areas for the duration of the course but BA (HONS) FINE ART Campus: Howard Gardens Course Length: Three years full-time

given plenty of opportunity and support to work across areas if appropriate.

Year two: The second year is a time for greater speculation and experimentation. It is also a period when you can start to focus your personal interests and specialist skills. You will take part in group discussions, seminars, skills workshops as a complement to your studiobased practice. Overall, it will be a period of self-evaluation aimed at providing a deeper understanding of your unique concerns and creative personality.

Year three: This year is often seen as the time for the consolidation of ideas and techniques, which have matured throughout the second year. However, it is important that this does not inhibit experimentation or curtail your willingness to take risks. In the final module you will mount a major exhibition that will be open the public, and is an opportunity to launch your future ambitions as a creative practitioner.

HISTORY AND THEORY OF ART: The history and theory of art component of the course is a vital source of ideas and references that will enrich your understanding of the discipline of Fine Art. It is taught through lectures, seminars and workshops designed to engage your intellect and imagination and support your understanding of the context within which artists work.

ASSESSMENT:

You will be assessed throughout the course through practical studio-based projects and written assignments.

UCAS CODE(S): W100 (Route A), E100 (Route B)

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

Foundation course in Art & Design, A Levels considered, dependant on portfolio. We have a very open mind to the qualifications you bring with you. We simply look to be convinced that you have the commitment to pursue this degree and the skills to make it worthwhile. We may ask you to bring a portfolio of your work to show us.

FURTHER INFORMATION: csad.uwic.ac.uk/Fine-Art/

Admissions Tutors: Mark Halliday - mhalliday@uwic.ac.uk Dave Shepherd - dshepherd@uwic.ac.uk