In review: BA (Hons) Illustration Degree Show

Read a review of the BA (Hons) Illustration Degree Show by Digital Collage Artist and graduate, Tom Abbiss Smith. Tom’s work is pictured above.

What I always find exciting about NUA’s Illustration Degree Shows is the variation of work and how the students push the boundaries of what Illustration can be. It was great to see 3D, moving image, printmaking, digital artwork and many other mediums used illustratively in different contexts – It really opens your mind to how we can perceive the world around us.

The first thing I acknowledged when walking into the BA (Hons) Illustration Degree Show was how proud and happy all the students looked. And rightly so, it all looks amazing! There was a great buzz at the Private View with a constant stream of visitors checking it all out.

The beautiful publication, clear presentation of each students work, and the artworks themselves are all incredibly professional. It was great to see a big selection of awards won by the students too.

When you make your way up to the exhibition space you’ll be met with an array of vibrancy and colour, with eye-catching large-scale prints to lure you in. As you take a look around, you’ll be met with interactive pieces, expressive drawings, playful sculptures and so much more.

Although it is great to have brilliant variation at a show, I thought it was still really nice to see lots of printmaking, book illustration and drawing done with poise and confidence. I feel like I didn’t see that as much the year before, so that was actually really refreshing.

Something that is very important within illustration is collaboration, and you can clearly see that within the curation of the whole exhibition space, but especially within the cinematic pop-up rooms! Take a seat and experience the talent and skill of five  moving image artists all portraying a similar theme of deception/tension.

Overall I’m really impressed with the exhibition and advice checking it all out while picking up the publication and some business cards. It’ll definitely get your brain ticking and overflowing with inspiration.

I can’t wait to visit again next year!