Staffordshire University Fine Art students to hold external exhibition
Fine Art students are to hold their first external art exhibition at a former pottery factory.
The students, who are all part of Staffordshire University, are putting on the show, entitled 'Interfuse' today, April 8 and April 9.
The exhibition includes a collection of artwork ranging from video, sculpture, painting to installation.
It is being held at the former Spode Factory site in Stoke, which has recently been transformed into artists' studios and exhibition space.
One of the student artists, Becca Pemberton, aged 22 from Congleton, has been inspired by environmental issues. Her work sees constructed Perspex boxes filled will crushed plastic bottles, reminiscent of flatscreen televisions
It also includes underwater scenes created by filming condensed milk and food colouring in water are projected through the transparent blocks and an original soundtrack, echoing the sounds of the sea, accompanies the installation. Political themes are also present in the exhibition, including portraits of world leaders in the guise of zombies, demons and sinister clowns.
Another canvas shows the infamous image of a Syrian refugee child washed up on a beach alongside a photograph of a local homeless man lying in the street. A thick black band runs across both pictures and calls into question issues of censorship and media representation. The exhibition spans several rooms at the ACAVA studios at Spode, which is the base for several Staffordshire University graduate artists.
Course Leader and Associate Professor of Fine Art and Social Practice, Anna Francis said: "It is so important for our students to get out into the city to see what a thriving art scene is developing here. Staging the end of year show at ACAVA studios is a brilliant opportunity for us, and really helps our students to make important connections in the city.
"Some of our graduates have studios there now, so it's wonderful to catch up with them, and see how they are making it work as practising artists in Stoke. Our students and graduates know what a brilliant opportunity bidding for City of Culture is and this is our way of showing how they can be involved" 'Interfuse' opens today, April 6. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/Interfuse-1886670494941128/
