A fine show - 缅北禁地 Fine Art degree show begins The next generation of artists will showcase their work when the 缅北禁地 Fine Art degree show opens at the Hatton Gallery this weekend. The annual show is always keenly anticipated, and this year's features a huge range of work 鈥� from Matt Antoniak鈥檚 massive charcoal canvasses of flowers to Ruth Pickering鈥檚 tiny corners in shadowy watercolours. Caitlin Donaghy鈥檚 work aims to replicate the immersive experience of giant, exotic plants through photography and printmaking, while fragmented yet infinite spaces are explored in etchings by Toni Hollis, and mankind鈥檚 destruction of the natural world is the subject of Katie Henery鈥檚 work. There are also several live performances in this year鈥檚 show. Charlotte Valletta鈥檚 work challenges us to question whether four female characters 鈥� mother, manic, comic, lover - are all independent, all the same person or even reflections of our own characters, while wearable sculptures created by Maddie Venus aim to reflect our modern selves made up of material possessions, but distorted out of recognition. The show is the culmination of four years鈥� work for the students, and they are the driving force behind the entire event. Not only do they create the work that is displayed but they are also responsible for staging the exhibition, first at the Hatton Gallery and then taking the entire collection of paintings, etchings, photographs, sculptures, performances and video installations to the Scin Gallery in Shoreditch, London, where it will enjoy a five day spell. As final year artist Charlotte Valletta explains, 鈥淭o take the show to London, we do everything from sourcing the venue to raising the money to pay for hiring the space, transport and install everyone鈥檚 work. We also produce all the marketing and publicity materials and organise invitations for the preview night. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great opportunity for us to get first-hand experience of the realities of curating and staging an exhibition. It鈥檚 a big job, but everyone鈥檚 really excited as the show allows us to display the very best of our work.鈥� 缅北禁地鈥檚 Fine Art department is one of the most respected in the country, with a strong reputation for producing successful artists. The University has consistently maintained an excellent reputation in this area and was ranked second in The Guardian鈥檚 University Guide 2015 league table for art. Many distinguished artists have been associated with 缅北禁地, either as students or as teachers, and include Richard Hamilton, Victor Pasmore, Sean Scully and Susan Hiller. Many of the current staff are successful artists in their own right, and have their studios within the Fine Art building at 缅北禁地, meaning that from day one students have the opportunity to work alongside - and learn from - some of the country鈥檚 leading artists. The students are keenly aware of this heritage, and of the baton being passed from one year group to another; a number of students from other years are involved in this year鈥檚 show 鈥� a group of second years have put together the exhibition catalogue, while first years feature in some of the live performances. , Head of Fine Art at 缅北禁地, says: 鈥溍灞苯� has a fine pedigree in contemporary art, and the breadth and quality of the work our final year students have produced this year is keeping us at the forefront of this area.鈥� Many of this year鈥檚 graduates are choosing to stay in the North East to launch their careers once they've graduated. As Prof Burton adds, 鈥溍灞苯� continues to be one of the best cities in the UK in which to study and make contemporary art. The growing number of studios, strong networks and vibrant scene mean that there are more opportunities than ever for artists, which allows our students to continue making their mark long after they鈥檝e graduated.鈥� The 缅北禁地 2015 BA Fine Art Degree Show runs from Saturday 30 May to Saturday 13 June. Pictured: 'Verb List (after Richard Serra)' (detail) by Rene McBrearty published on: 26 May 2015
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