TRANSITIONS : Why We Did It

TRANSITIONS ALUMNI

The process or period of changing from one state or condition to another. A graduate or former student of a particular school college or university.

DR SUSAN BARNET

she/her

SENIOR LECTURER, FINE ART COURSE LAEDER

School of Engineering, Arts, Science and Technology (EAST)

TRANSITIONS FINE ART

It’s wonderful to have this opportunity to view work representing some of the current practices of Fine Art Course alumni here at the University of Suffolk. As the ethos of this course embraces studio culture rich in collaborative activity and dialogue, it’s quite appropriate to manifest this continued conversation through this thoughtful and dynamic exhibition.

We are immensely proud of our students, both past and present, that make up such a diverse and vibrant creative community. Our course is designed to enable students to develop technical, conceptual, and professional skills in order that they can actively engage in critical contemporary art practise.

We ask our students to question and challenge pre-existing assumptions of their work, of art and of our world overall. As the title of this exhibition Transitions indicates – this is an ongoing and lifelong endeavour.

ALUMNI EXHIBITION 2007-22

IAN MOSS

EXHIBITION ORGANISER + CURATOR + ART ALUMNI

he/him

As a former student of Fine Art at the University of Suffolk (or University Campus Suffolk as it was back then) I knew how much of a journey a creative course is, and that each course culminates in a degree show. It’s a chance to show a wider audience how you have developed as an artist/creative, and is also a ‘grand goodbye’ after 3 years of hard work.

It got me thinking about all those who had studied Fine Art at the time and how they also missed their final show. So, I got in touch with the University of Suffolk, with a view to putting on an exhibition of art to include

the graduation years 2020-22. After discussions with Dr Jane Watt, senior art lecturer, we morphed the idea into what has become a celebration of all Fine Art alumni from 2007 (when the first graduations were at the university) to 2022 (the most recent ones). We felt this would be a much larger opportunity for all involved.

DR JANE WATT

she/her

SENIOR LECTURER IN FINE ART

School of Engineering, Arts, Science and Technology (EAST)

The creativity and energy of our Fine Art students is incredible and never ceases to amaze me. As a tutor here I feel immensely privileged to be able to witness how our students develop their art practice and confidence during their studies with us, as well as be part of the beginning of their creative exploration. Although it may not feel like it at the time, their years with us are just the start. This exhibition offers us all an opportunity to meet some of our alumni again, to celebrate their different journeys since graduation and ultimately revel in a unique exhibition. As alumni of a course that embraces a wide range of practice,

it is no surprise that Transitions hails a diverse range of work, from drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, lens-based work and performance. It showcases work made by artists who have been practising for over a decade alongside others who have recently graduated. The exhibition and works prompt us to remember but also enable us to look to the future and value the role of art in our individual lives, but also in the world in which we live.

01 MARK AARON MA 2016 P10 02 SARAH BALE BA 2016 P11 03 PATRISIYA BANOVA BA 2022 P12 04 FELICITY BEAUMONT BA 2019 P13 05 HANNAH BOTTOMLEY BA 2012 P14 06 MICHELLE BOWDEN BA 2012 P15 07 JENNY BUTCHER BA 2017 P16 08 ABBIE CAIRNS MA 2018 P17 09 KIMLEE CHURCHYARD BA 2017 P18 10 TRICIA COTTRELL BA 2015 P19 11 RICHARD DAY BA 2014 P20 12 NIKI DENNIS BA 2015 P21 13 JULIE DODDS BA 2015 P22 14 KEVIN EILER BA 2020 P23 15 LOLEITHA EVELYN BA 2016 P24 16 JOHN FAZAKERLEY BA 2007 P25 17 CARLOS FERNANDES BA 2015 P26 18 PAUL FISK BA 2011 P27 19 YVONNE FORSTER BA 2014 P28 20 BOBBY FORSYTHE BA 2019 P29 21 FILIP GABRHELIK BA 2020 P30 22 GLENDA GERRARD BA 2017 P31

EXHIBITING BA+MA

23 PETA HILLIER BA 2015 P32 24 SALLY JACKSON BA 2020 P33 25 FRED LANKESTER BA 2020 P34 26 JAMIE LIMOND BA 2017 P35 MA 2019 27 KAMARAN MOHAMMAD BA 2014 P36 28 IAN MOSS BA 2014 P37 29 MELISA NOVOTNA BA 2022 P38 30 JASON NUNN BA 2014 P39 31 ALEX OSBORNE BA 2015 P40 32 KATHRYN RAFFELL BA 2015 P41 33 ADAM RICHES BA 2016 P42 34 AMY SAGE BA 2012 P43 35 FREYA SCOTT-ROCKEL BA 2013 P44 36 SOPHIE Sophia BA 2007 P45 37 LOISJOY THURSTUN BA 2014 P46 38 ELGIN THWAITES BA 2021 P47 39 ARIMATHEA WARREN BA 2020 P48 40 LAUREL WARREN BA 2014 P49 MA 2015 41 KELLY WILL BA 2012 P50 MA 2017 42 ANGELA WRIGHT BA 2012 P51

ARTISTS 2007/22

QUOTES + MEMORIES

“ Considering I gained my degree through the slog of COVID, summing up my experience is surprisingly simple, “Have you thought about making it bigger?” My degree show was definitely testament to this! ”

ELGIN THWAITES CLASS OF 2021

“ Studying Fine art at the University of Suffolk was a pivotal moment for my creative career. I thoroughly enjoyed experimenting with new materials and expanding my plethora of art knowledge. Since graduating I am now working as an Art technician at the university and running my own art collective called, Supporting the Arts. Worth every single moment of studying. ”

BOBBY FORSYTHE CLASS OF 2019

“ Art is emotion. Doing Art is giving life to those emotions

”

CARLOS FERNANDES Class of 2015

“ I gained far more than just a Fine Art Degree, from my time at University Campus Suffolk. The experience was completely transformative. I arrived as a shy, mature student, lacking in confidence and self-esteem. And left as a confident, more rounded person with a passion for life, art and justice; and a group of friends that will sustain me for the rest of my life. It was an amazing three years. ”

TRICIA COTTRELL Class of 2015

“ A time we continually made plaster casts and we’re covered with plaster of Paris; Sitting around waiting for criticism of artwork; Meeting like-minded people: absolutely brilliant; Making exhibitions and engaging with Holywells park; Making friends; Printing and Lino cuts with beautiful old presses; Going down the river on the barge Victor whilst drawing; Having our eyes opened to art! ”

PETA HILLIER CLASS OF 2014

“ I left University Campus, Suffolk (UCS) in 2014, but (part of) my head stayed there. The experiences and opportunities I had when there, along with all of the people I met and now call friends, led to me open my own art gallery at the beginning of my final year – something I’d never have had the confidence, knowledge & contacts to have done were it not for studying locally, near to my home. ”

IAN MOSS CLASS OF 2014

“ The impact of studying in Suffolk Art School: I began the Fine Art degree as a very quiet and unsure student, who at Graduation gave a thank you speech to an audience of about 800 on behalf of all the graduates of the school of arts and humanities, having been voted to do so by all the lecturers. That progression from a very insecure student to a person who is achieving so much even now, that progression says it all, it goes to show how education can develop a positive sense of being, see the world and what I offer to the world so differently. ”

ANGELA DAWN WRIGHT CLASS OF 2012

“ The best piece of guidance gifted to me during my time as a Fine Art student was from Head of Art at the time, David Baldry who said, ‘Be organic in your art Sophie.’ This has been fundamental to my practice. ”