The work is done; all they need now is a public – a steady stream of visitors, all part of the process which will see Chichester's art
students become fully-fledged professionals.
This weekend sees the opening of the fine art degree show in the ArtOne building at the University of Chichester's Chichester campus.
A huge amount rides on it for all the students involved – a substantial proportion of their marks for their overa
ll degree and also perhaps the final push into the big wide world.
Steve McDade, subject leader in fine art, is confident the university has given them the best possible foundation.
"By the third year, the students have gelled together and formed a creative community," Steve says. "They set the agenda for the whole cohort, the first years and the second years."
The great thing is that on display will be a huge breadth of work: "On the fine art course here we have always maintained a breadth of approach. There is no particular dogma or style.
The students develop as a working community so they share a discourse – but a discourse that comes out differently for each person."
Now the public completes the debate. As Steve says, it's important the university is seen to be part of the community – all part of the university's agenda of increased engagement with the wider world.
"One of the interesting things we have is a discussion about the way work relates to its audience.
"The students are very keen to test their work to see how people respond to it. The idea of putting the degree show in the public domain is an important aspect of their professional development."
Among those showing their work will be 23-year-old James Norton, of Waterlooville, originally from South Africa.
James works in 3D, creating a series of hanging pieces: "My work is all about the process of making. I take everyday objects from our culture.
I have used paper and fishing line and weights and cable ties. It's quite organic in form. It's not really a set shape that I want to make. I play with the material to see what it is capable of and I go from there.
"I also use quite a lot of weights in my work so that there is a tension hanging through it. I also look at colour combinations within nature."
Michelle Watson, 42, of Forestside, is showing nudes in oils, the whole course having proved the realisation of a long-held dream.
"I studied theatre design when I was younger and then went off and had five children, and then went abroad and did all the things that goes
with that. But I have always wanted to paint. I realised my dream three years ago when I came here.
"It has been great. But it has had its ups and downs. The highs are when you get it right. The lows are that you are battling against yourself. It's not the system.
"They give you advice and critique. You have to take all of that advice and work out what works for you. It's like having a child. Everyone gives you advice, but you have to decide what is right for you."
Rosina Godwin, 32, of Godalming, is another to have risen to the Chichester fine art challenge, working in textiles and also moving into mixed media.
"I am interested in the unconscious mind and dreams and how things can appear naive but hide a darker intent. I am interested in the world of dream, how things are perverted. It's like a whole world in itself.
"Nothing is quite how it seems. There are lots of hidden messages. It's almost like our real self.
"We have these nice social exteriors but inside the unconscious mind there are dark desires and twisted ideas."
* The degree show runs on Saturday and Sunday (May 16 and 17) from 10.30am to 5pm; Monday to Friday (May 18 to 22 from midday to 7pm; and on Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24, from 10.30am to 5pm.
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