Tag Archives: Adsetts

Where are they now – graduate journeys

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This is the second of our “Where are they now” features, catching up with students who have exhibited their work in the learning centres in previous years.

Library visitors viewing Yanli’s display at the Art in Adsetts launch

Following her final year project from the BA (Hons) Interior Design course at Sheffield Hallam University, course lecturers and module leaders nominated Yanli’s piece on a garden restaurant for Park Hill, for display in the Art in Adsetts 2012 exhibition.

Yanli Shen was a model student in this regard, as she submitted a carefully written artist’s statement to be displayed alongside her work to allow audiences to read an interpretation of the piece.  The framed piece was highlighted as part of a tour at the launch exhibition and has received positive feedback from visitors, staff and students alike.  We asked Yanli’s permission to extend the duration of the display of the garden restaurant beyond the academic year, so that we can keep it for a few more years.

We were interested to know what direction Yanli chose after she completed her degree:

 “Since graduating with a first class honours degree from the University,  at Hallam, I secured a place on the MA Landscape architecture at Sheffield university. I chose this course to compliment the Parkhill project. I am currently in Edinburgh studying a MFA in Art Space and Nature. This will round off my education perfectly. Each course on completion has offered up the opportunity to further develop my knowledge in a supportive and encouraging environment. In the future, I plan to utilise my skills professionally in the spheres of Interior Design, Landscape, Space and Environmental Art.”

Yanli, and exhibitors like her, are a source of inspiration to staff, students and visitors who use our learning spaces.  By displaying their creativity, we hope to inspire many more as they continue their journey to graduation and beyond.

Thanks and best wishes go to Yanli in her future.

Where are they now – previous exhibitors

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This is the first in a series of “Where are they now” features, catching up with students who have exhibited their work in the learning centres in previous years.

Claire Lount was one of the first students to show her work in Adsetts, back in 2010.  Her sculptures went on display after being shown in the Creative Spark student exhibition.  Claire had recently completed the MA Fine Art degree course, and we were delighted when she brought her work in for us to curate.  Her sculptures quickly became part of the surroundings and have become a favourite with staff and students alike.  We asked Claire how her journey has continued since graduation.

‘Endgame’ – Sculpture by Claire Lount, MA Fine Art

 “Since I have left I have continued exhibiting and producing work when I can fit it round my other commitments! I have mainly been doing art work shops for children and art displays in schools.

This year I have started a PGCE at Sheffield Hallam to work with children with special needs as my passions do lie with teaching and using my creative skills in a classroom environment. I think studying at Hallam develops not only your artistic skills but also your ability to question, reflect and think philosophically about any job, career you may embark upon.”

“Endgame” was inspired by buildings that once stood along the East Coast of England.  As a result of coastal erosion the land beneath the buildings had been sucked away undermining their structure and leading to their demise.   Claire’s work focused on making something new by replicating something that was lost, neglected, abandoned and decayed. 

Endgame used formal qualities as an important element in the piece; craftsmanship, variations in scale and materials all being used to create an uncanny presence of the original in the replicated building.  

The sculptures reflected upon how an individual might ordinarily react to miniature buildings; how they are often perceived as beautiful and ornamental acting as a souvenir for a forgotten time and how as a viewer our reaction may be to romanticise, fetishise and long for that which no longer exists.   Contradictory elements come together in the piece; past and present, the homely and the uncanny, the fashionable and unfashionable.  These polarities play themselves out within the sculptures, presenting an image of the past in its uneasy place within the present.

Claire’s work is on display in the key text area of level 4, Adsetts.  Don’t forget, you can see some of the new pieces on display at Collegiate at our launch event on 27th November from 5.00pm.