Summer Show 2010 highlights - HNC Textile Design and BA (Hons) Contemporary Surface Design & Textiles
Andrea Wilde, Course Tutor for BA (Hons) Contemporary Surface Design & Textiles and the HNC Textile Design, spoke appreciatively of the national and international appeal of the programmes and the success of current students and recent graduates.
“The HNC students have all worked incredibly hard and travelled long distances in terms of what they are able to do (as well as physical journeys - three students are from Devon; one is from Bristol and one from Italy – they all commute in to College for three days every ten to twelve weeks for two years). They nearly all have families and busy jobs, but such is their level of commitment, their work is of a high standard. The level of ideas, visual research, willingness to experiment, have an open mind, take feedback and respond has been excellent. This year’s students have really challenged themselves and made leather and fabric bags, rugs and garments which are all usable/wearable/marketable.”
Andrea highlighted a number of collections to demonstrate the impressive range of backgrounds, inspirations and work.
“Mark Cullen, who is a full-time doctor, has produced handwoven rugs and wonderful artwork; Marina Van Vessem, who is a full-time lawyer, has created textile art based on family photographs from the 1920s and 1930s. Amanda Spencer, who works as a radiographer in Leeds hospital has done manipulated knit, screen and digital prints based on Robin Hood's Bay. Gail Bryant is taking commissions for bespoke ties based on vintage sports cars. Jo Tether Coupe, a retired social worker, had serious illness for six weeks right in the middle of producing her collection but still created woven textile jewellery and scarves inspired by the colour and architectural forms found in tulip flowers.
Laura Rovida, who has woven bags and scarves, is the second student we have had from Italy (we have previously had students from Belgium and France too) and she is really serious about becoming established as a designer/maker. She is flying over again to exhibit at New Designers in London with in July.”
Discover more about Laura's commute from Tuscany, her inspirations and see her collection:
You can see some of the other HNC collections here:
Andrea continued, “The degree programme is more about surface design then just textiles and incorporates a range of surfaces, garments, interiors and products. This year students have included lighting, ceramics (where they dipped textiles into slip and fired it) and leather and used new technologies such as laser cutting and digital printing. A wide range of skills are used together - print and knit; weave and knit; or print and embroidery; and combined processes make work more innovative, for instance, Juliette Hadland has created the Secret Garden range for bespoke boutiques and hotel interiors and Aisha Agha's print and embroidery reflects contemporary Issues affecting Muslim women today."
You can see some of the graduate collections here:
Jane Bartholomew, the external examiner for these programmes, was very enthusiastic as she looked at the work. “These students are so lucky as they have opportunities to try so many different and diverse types of textile processes. I feel they are really privileged as their tutors are of a very high calibre and encourage them to keep it very broad. They enjoy so much access to a wonderful range of resources and it comes though in the work which is of fantastic quality.”
Andrea concluded, "Our graduates gain such a broad range of skills that they can work in many environments and our former students are still developing. Fiona Wilson has won an Embroiderers’ Guild Scholarships (only two offered nationally each year) of £1000 to develop the practice of embroidery; Alison Yule Textiles are showing this year’s 100% Design and Dawn Willey has exhibited at Verwood Heritage Museum.
Our students also enjoyed success in the Bradford Textile Society Awards in May. Graham Preston received the third prize in the Clothworkers’ Foundation Award for Knitted Fabric for Men’s or Womenswear including accessories. Vivienne Bradley won the first prize, Alice Moore received the third prize and Jane Bridges and Sophie Minal were commended in the Clothworkers’ Foundation Award for 1st Year Students for a knitted fabric in any fibre or blend. Laura Dobson was commended in the Textile Finishers’ Association Award for a printed fashion textile design on any base fabric and Rebecca Rawlings was commended in Clothworkers’ Foundation Award for an innovative combination of textile processes for the fashion market.”