This week art students at King Edward VI College are exhibiting their work to the general public in the Art Block at the King Edward Road site.
A level art students and Art Foundation students have joined together to display an amazing variety of artwork at the exhibition which will be open all this week.
Second Year A Level student Frank Ssuna has produced a large-scale expressive portrait of his younger brother
The event is a celebration of the achievement of each student and is the perfect end to a year long journey.
The full time Pre-Degree Art F
oundation course is in its fifth year at King Edward VI College, based in the purpose-built art studios. The one year course helps students express their creativity and identify the direction they wish to pursue.
Harriet Treadgold. Art Foundation Student. Her work is based on “Sonder” – the realisation that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own”
Art Foundation student Harriet Treadgold said ‘”The foundation year was definitely a worthwhile experience and I learnt a lot over the year. I was able to take part in different workshops, learn new techniques and processes and I feel better prepared for university because of it. Throughout the year, I faced a lot of challenges and struggled at time but after achieving a good grade and finding the right course at university, I am pleased that I completed the year to the standard that I did.”
Fourteen students enrolled on the one year course last September; three of the students travel from Hinckley and Leicester, one from Coventry and one from Atherstone. Out of the fourteen, 9 were awarded a Distinction and the remaining 5 gained a Merit for their work.
The Principal of the college Dr Esther Maughan said ‘This is a fantastic exhibition, full of thought provoking art work that stirs the soul’
Students presented work in a wide range of mediums and themes ranging from images of Nepal to a film about a struggle with depression. All students are going on to degree courses in September.
Rhiannon Leake used memories of early life and incorporated them into a piece of textile art.
Teacher of Art Catherine Gregg said “This year’s Art Foundation has been an amazing year. The students have taken part in a series of events, exhibitions and workshops. The private view show on Thursday 18th June showed the final major project. The chief moderator was in awe of the quality and achievement of KEC students. He said much of the work was beyond foundation level and was blown away by the quality and personal engagement.”
The event took place on Thursday evening with a live band ‘Echo Bay’ performing a series of acoustic covers which created a lovely ambiance. It was a wonderful evening to celebrate the success of all of the students.
Rojani Rai created an installation of a tree that symbolises childhood memories and the people of Nepal.
Rachel Dineley who is from Coventry produced a self portrait stop-motion film about mental illness. Rachel said “the feedback I’ve had has
been amazing. Some people were overwhelmed by the film particularly when the soundtrack of the heartbeat was playing. The moderator commented that it was degree standard work which I was so pleased about. If I hadn’t done this course I know I would have chosen the wrong degree course. I now know what direction I want to go in as this course has helped me to decide.”
Second year student Jake Jerrard-Dinn produced a piece which brings into question our use of animals for their meat.
Jack Benson 1st year A level student. His piece represents the fact you never know exactly what is under your feet.