Find inspiration at degree shows

I visited Manchester Met degree show a couple of weeks ago to see how we compare against the competition. The answer is that alongside the many talented students we have at OCA, there are many other talented art students graduating this year. Here’s a flavour of the best of the illustration graduates from Manchester Met. I was especially interested to see the illustration work on offer. One of the images that struck me was this one by Hannah Wheeler.. I like the restrained palette and strong design. Another that struck me as mature and professionally executed was work by Alice Tobia such as this image ‘Stuff that’s in the sea'(interesting to note on her blog the different versions she’s done on the same theme too). And here is someone who can really draw: Sarah Fisher. What is great is to see the inventiveness that she brings to bear with her objective drawing skills. The yellow rectangles focus the attention on surprising elements and serve to pull the whole sketchbook together. The thing that delighted me most of all were a set of little doll models made by Laura Nash-Green based on Hopi Kachina dolls. She could take this rich idea a long way. Laura’s work is inspired by a trip she took around South America and observing Native American life. Look on her website at the amazing drawings too. Finally I was struck by Ria Smythe’s evocation of the opening of the Manchester ship canal by Queen Victoria. She produced a lovely final image rich in historical detail, which really brings the event to life – Ria clearly enjoyed the research – including an amusing fat image of Queen Victoria.
These examples are drawn from one small section of the degree show at Manchester Met. There were hoards of other stimuli, from Fine Art to textiles. If you live within easy reach of an art college do make sure you find out when the degree show is on (June is a good guess) and make sure you get to it. They are usually only on for a few days so its easy to allow them to pass you by. The best thing about degree shows is the range of ideas you’ll see, and the way you can connect with your own work and compare it against yours. Put a note in your diary for next year!