University of Kent, Fine Art Degree Show,
21st – 31st May –2015

An exhibition of 26 exciting emerging artists in Kent

The University of Kent’s School of Music and Fine Art presents the Fine Art Degree Show 2016 in the extraordinary environment of The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent, featuring the work of 26 graduating BA and MA Fine Art students.

Opening with a preview on Saturday May 21st, 1pm-5pm,
with guest speaker, Patricia Bickers, writer, curator and editor of Art Monthly
and music from artist Benedict Drew.

The exhibition is open to all and is free to attend.

Open to the public (10am-5pm):
Sunday 22nd May
Tuesday 24th May - Tuesday 31st May inclusive.

Continuing a tradition of showcasing bold, exploratory exhibitions curated by the University of Kent’s Fine Art students, framed by the stunning backdrop of one of the country’s most iconic locations, the Historic Dockyard Chatham, our visitors will encounter a broad range of artistic styles and media, an explosion of imagination and a celebration of art’s potential for society.

This exhibition offers the public a fascinating insight into contemporary art’s most recent practices and processes such as a ‘Grand Design’ home evolved by a hoarder, an oozing conversation with the earth, a system of tunnels, angry letters about Gillingham’s Samurai sent to Medway council, a Dockyard worker’s fall down a well as sculpture, personal Facebook data becomes food, a dream-like exploration of the car industry, hand movements translated into Fibonacci sound, an autobiographical feature length film made on a mobile phone and a performance where the rules of tennis are applied to an exam.

The Degree Show’s aim is to encourage audiences to explore the potential of Medway as a dynamic hub for art, with the School of Music and Fine Art as a major conduit for these activities, positively impacting on the community and offering imaginative suggestions and visionary strategies for cultural regeneration.

As well as involving students from Kent, and across the UK, this year’s Degree Show exhibitors include student artists from Iran, Thailand, China, Russia, Italy, Cyprus, Mexico, Hong Kong, Isle of Man and Ghana.

The Fine Art Degree Show exhibition catalogue features texts by academics across a range of University of Kent Schools: Emily Rosamond, Grant Pooke, Simon Smith, Howard Griffin and Rebecca Hobbs.
Degree Show visitors can attend a wide range of exciting educational activities. Young people attending can also participate in workshops with some of the exhibiting artists. On Tuesday 24h May and Wednesday 25th May Education Days will be held for local schools and colleges. Attendees will be able to view the Show and hear talks from the artists; they will also be encouraged to produce their own artwork in response to their experience of the Show. If you would like to bring a school, college or university group to this event (all ages welcome) please email mfaadmissions@kent.ac.uk
Visitors to the Degree Show will also be able to visit the Historic Dockyard's thematic exhibition of international contemporary art works, "Of the Sea," a competition (in collaboration with the School of Music and Fine Art) whose jury panel includes Kathleen Palmer (Head of Art, Imperial War Museum), and Victoria Pomery (Director of Turner Contemporary, Margate).
http://www.thedockyard.co.uk/plan/events/art-dockyard/

The Degree Show Address:
The Historic Dockyard, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TY
Entry is at The Historic Dockyard Chatham Visitor Entrance, via The Galvanising Shop (next to the Dockyard’s visitors’ car park on the East Road).
http://www.thedockyard.co.uk/plan/how-find-us


Contact Details:
For further press information and images of the works on display please contact School Reception:
MFAReception@kent.ac.uk
or telephone 01634 888 980.
www.kent.ac.uk/smfa
Twitter: @unikentmfa
Twitter: https://twitter.com/UoKDegreeShow
Tumblr http://degreeshow2016.tumblr.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/degreeshow2016/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Uokdegreeshow/

The School of Music and Fine Art was rated within the top ten of Art university departments in the UK (Guardian League Tables, 2015) an accolade supported by a top 20 University which came 3rd for ‘overall satisfaction’ in the National Student Survey, 2014

All members of the Fine Art academic staff are actively engaged as nationally and internationally exhibiting artists and published writers and include Shona Illingworth, Sarah Turner, Dr Andrew Conio, Emily Rosamund, Adam Chodzko, Tim Meacham and Dr Steve Klee.

We have links with many leading arts organisations including; Whitstable Biennale and Turner Contemporary, Margate. We actively engage with collaborations and participation with our local community in Medway.

The department attracts students from all over the world and from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience.