Perspective CU 2018
Exhibiting this week is Perspective, Coventry University’s end of year degree show which will be displaying the diverse work of 29 artists graduating this year. Showcasing a wide range of topics and practices, the bodies of work on show at Perspective explore ideas such as environmental awareness, mental health, family archives, sustainable fashion and modern society. To celebrate the opening of the event, we’ve highlighted 5 of the exhibiting artists whose work demonstrates fresh and innovative approaches as to how photography can be used as a form of creative expression and visual communication.
Degree shows are the perfect way to discover and support young emerging artists, so keep reading to find out more about some of our favourite work on display at Perspective this month.
In 2016, around 300,000 tonnes of clothing in the United Kingdom was binned, equivalent to approximately 143 London Eyes. With the demand for fast fashion rapidly increasing with every passing season, Cheap Thrill Hunting is a concept created by Sadin to encourage second-hand shopping, reminding people that there is an easy and affordable way of achieving a greener wardrobe.
Sourcing clothes from a range of charity shops across Coventry, outfits inspired by iconic fashion decades such as the 50’s and the 80’s are restyled and shot in a fresh new way, before being presented along-side facts and statistics in a take-away booklet. As part of a long-term project, the final body of work also accompanied a successful second-hand pop-up shop that took place at the start of this month.
With photography being a tool used to sell fast-fashion, in Cheap Thrill Hunting, Sadin uses the same tool as an antidote to the issue.
The ancient Roman road, Peddars Way, runs north through 46 miles of countryside and villages in Norfolk, and it is this area of land that is the focus point of the work. Using alternative, digital and archival processes, Billham focuses on the features of the landscape that truly appeared striking to her as she journeyed along the road. This often included both the scenic landscape on a large scale and the much smaller details such as the flora and fauna found on her travels. Having been built for political and military purposes, Peddars Way played a significant role in British History. It is this importance that is celebrated within the work, with a focus on local history and the presences of humankind’s imprint over a long period of time.
This body of work stems from a desire to respond to, and encourage others, to appreciate the history of the British Landscape, and it does so beautifully through the use of a hand-made photobook, cyanotypes, analogue prints and archive images.
One of the several pieces of video work on display, Water explores sensory issues in relation to autism spectrum disorder. Since he was a child, Grant has struggled with an inability to properly process various stimuli, often experiencing sensory overload - over time, he has been able to develop coping methods to deal with these episodes. The exhibited body of work is an audio-visual piece that represents one of the most significant instances of over-stimulation that he experienced in his childhood.
Using ambient sound effects and low-key monochrome images, Water represents the feelings of fear, isolation and shame experienced by the artist when trying to escape the pain and anxiety of his own experience. Showcasing moving image and a soundscape that enhances the discomfort and alienation of the piece, this is a powerful body of work that immerses the viewer into an entirely new world, opening their eyes to a struggle that many people face.
For this body of work, the goal was to encapsulate the spirit of the MADchester scene that emerged in Manchester in the later 1980’s and early 1990’s, spearheaded by bands such as The Stone Roses and Happy Mondays, with the rise of these bands, and a burgeoning rave scene, Manchester was shaped into an even bigger hub of exciting new music. An entirely new generation grew up in this iconic party era, and it is this distinctive cultural scene that the project focuses on, using both appropriated and original material alongside sound, colour and abstract imagery. The final body of work is hosted inside a large dark room, to emulate the feeling of a nightclub and allow the viewer to step back in time.
Hailing from just outside of the city, I have witnessed a resurgence in Mancunian pride over the past year, and the creation of this body of work has been an instinctive response. Made in Manchester provides a glimpse into an era that not only defined a generation and a city, but left behind a spirit and cultural appreciation that is still evident in modern day Manchester. It is not a documentary or a music video, but rather a homage to my city and its past.
Family and place is a theme explored in a several ways throughout the exhibition and Ribbonfields is a great example of this. Memories and stories make us who we are, and often these can be found in family photography and albums. Whilst this is true for many of us, Ribbonfields takes this concept further, using altered imagery, collaboration and family archive to question these ideas of memory and home. Through the use of edited images and ephemera, Knight symbolises the gaps in her own memory, and the stories that have been retold and passed on throughout the years. Accompanied by various contributions from members of her family, a collection of different perspectives and narratives about the idea of ‘home’ is accumulated. Exploring the intangible connections between home, memory and
family, Ribbonfields exhibits the individual pieces that come together to help form Knight’s personal identity.
Whilst this list barely scratches the surface of some of the amazing work on show, don’t just take our word for it, come and see for yourselves! Perspective runs from the 17th to the 25th of May at The Box, Fargo Village, Coventry, CV1 5ED. You’ll find a collective of work from 29 individuals who each bring a contribution to why and how photography matters today, reminding us not to be complacent about the role of images in current society.
There are also going to be some wonderful public artist talks happening next week. To find out more, and to keep up to date with the show, follow them over on Twitter and Instagram at @cuperspective
Evan Merner
www.perspective-exhibition.co.uk
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