Awards celebrate work from ones to watch in art and design

Judges were given extremely difficult decisions to make in selecting winners in this year’s University Art and Design Shows awards, with a breadth of awe-inspiring work to choose from.

But after careful consideration, winners have been chosen from the Un-locked Show of work from third years, which represents the culmination of students’ degree studies, and End of Year Shows exhibiting the work of first and second year students.

The Shows, taking place online this year, place the work of students from seven undergraduate programmes in the spotlight - these are: Fashion Design; Fashion Marketing and Communication; Fine Art; Graphic Design; Interior Design; Photography; and Product Design.

The overall winner of the Un-locked Show, chosen by the Vice-Chancellor, was Interior Design student Jamie Johnson Gore.

Jamie designed a multi-dining space to provide a meeting point to connect the canal network and offer a place to relax, socialise and engage with the city of Chester, contrasting against the isolation of life living on a canal boat.

Jamie, from the Wirral, said: “After making a significant career change and feeling apprehensive about starting university, I feel that winning the University of Chester Vice-Chancellor Choice Award and seeing my work as part of such a successful exhibition has given me a great sense of pride for what I have achieved over the last three years.

“Working hard to gain new skills and experiences has given me the confidence to believe in my own ability and enabled me to pursue a career within the Interior Design industry immediately after completion of my degree."

Rose Meredith, who was awarded the Evoke Creative prize for Product Design students, for her outstanding final degree project and overall excellence throughout her three-year course, also described her joy at being chosen.

Rose created a set for designers to use to encourage a better relationship between play spaces and natural surroundings, as well as risk and safety, considering play values, and parental involvement.

Rose, from Prestatyn in North Wales said: “It’s a privilege to have such supportive connections such as Neil Clark from Evoke Creative; I was extremely grateful for their endorsement and generous prize.

“Receiving my results was a huge relief after the completion of my degree work and I’m excited for the future for both myself and all my peers.”

Rose, who will be studying for a Product Design Master’s in Manchester from later this year, added: “All the work presented at the exhibition was inspiring to see, I feel proud to be a part of the University of Chester.”

More than 30 awards and commendations were decided in total for graduating students, level five (second year) and level four (first year) students. All winners receive certificates while the level four, five and the Un-locked overall winner, in addition, receive Amazon vouchers while Rose was also presented with a VR headset by Evoke.

Associate Professor Bernadine Murray, Head of Department for Art and Design said: “The judges were highly impressed with the outstanding ideas, the quality of the finish, the professionalism, the range of approaches and skills on show. Our students have excelled themselves and not made the selection of winners an easy task.

“Congratulations to all who have been named in these awards - it’s wonderful to hear the students’ happiness and honour in winning, and the confidence it has given them for their next steps.

“We’ve held an online ceremony but look forward to an event, to celebrate in person, when we are able to - as well as seeing what our students achieve next. They’ve already made an impact and are set for further great things in the art and design world.”

To see the Shows, log onto the Contemporary Art Space Chester (CASC) Gallery website at www.cascgallery.co.uk and tour through a 3D version of the city centre gallery on the Artsteps platform. Alternatively, flick through a slideshow of all the work directly on the website.

For more from the Art and Design department at the University of Chester, please visit their social media accounts at: www.instagram.com/uoc_artanddesign and www.facebook.com/uocartanddesign.

Product Design can be followed at: www.instagram.com/productdesign.chester, Fashion Design at: www.instagram.com/fashionatchester and Fashion Marketing and Communication at: www.instagram.com/uoc_studio_204.

The CASC Gallery is also on social media at: www.instagram.com/cascgallery and www.facebook.com/CASCgallery.

In addition, Art and Design publications from students and staff can be viewed on Issuu: https://issuu.com/artanddesignatchester?issuu_product=header&issuu_subproduct=document_page&issuu_context=link&issuu_cta=profile.

ENDS

The award-winners

Graduating students:

• Vice-Chancellor’s Choice and overall winner - Jamie Johnson Gore (Interior Design);
• The People’s Choice, voted for by the general public - Annie Maskell (Graphic Design);
• Evoke Creative prize for Product Design - Rose Meredith;
• Helen MacDougall - University Prize for Fine Art;
• Jade Gore (Fine Art) - The Alex Roberts Prize - acknowledging the art and creation of their work using traditional methods and techniques;
• Jagroop Bains - The Storrar Cowdry Solicitors Prize for Fine Art;
• Emelia Brooks - University Prize for Graphic Design;
• Sarah Sadler - University Prize for Photography;
• Highly commended - Caitlyn Jones (Photography); Hannah McGuckin (Fashion Marketing and Communication); Jade Williams (Fashion Design); Dean Lockett (Fine Art); Danielle Maw (Product Design); Chloe Craig (Graphic Design);
• Commended - Aimee Arrowsmith (Photography); Helen MacDougall; Chloe Longley and Sandra Lagzda (all Fine Art).
• Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost’s Choice:
  • Highly commended - Susan Grundy (Fashion Design); Naomi Lehepuu (Fashion Marketing and Communication); Theerapong Saobuppha (Fine Art); Melissa Dasher (Graphic Design and Photography for Graphic Design work); Jamie Johnson Gore (Interior Design) and Oliver Rowan (Product Design);
  • Commended - Ellie Lyon (Fashion Marketing and Communication); Niamh Dickinson (Fine Art with Photography, for Fine Art work); Orlaith Keating (Fine Art); Muthuthanthrige Fernando (Graphic Design) and Rita De Oliveira Cruz (Graphic Design);
  • Overall winner - Carla Saunders (Graphic Design and Photography for Photography work).

Level five (second year):

• Vice-Chancellor’s Choice - Nia Robinson (Fine Art); Pro-Vice Chancellor’s Choice - Heleena Houston (Fashion Marketing and Communication).

Level four (first year):

• Executive Dean for Arts and Humanities’ Choice - Josh Shaw (Photography).