News & Events - General

Students in their first year of a National Diploma in Art & Design are eagerly anticipating the opening of their first exhibition at the College’s Penny School Gallery next week. The students were set a project which primarily concentrated on working from the environment in which they study - the School of Art & Design consists of a collection of buildings, the main building being an Edwardian School built in 1907. This building houses many visual possibilities for the students with its architectural structures such as arches, stairwells and interior windows and glass.

One objective of the project was to develop the students’ ability to convey a sense of space in their work. Consequently the students were initially asked to document through observed studies a range of spaces within the building. They documented through spaces, different chambers of space and spaces leading in different directions.

From their initial drawings a series of images were developed introducing the students to new making techniques such as the large charcoal and collage pieces. Eventually a model of their selected space was made based upon the drawings and studies they had collected. The final painting was constructed from both the model and the photograph taken within it that replicated the original view.

Alongside the main body of project work students also produced a screenprint based upon interior views of the building’s many large windows. They also produced a 2.5m wallpaper roll section with illustrations of their experience of the building in their first term.

Jessica Sampson found the project very productive, saying: “It has helped me understand and extend my knowledge of drawing. I definitely think I’ve improved my skills.”

Max Kerly commented: “I’ve enjoyed seeing how similar interior spaces have been portrayed differently by each student. We all select and see things differently.”

Fellow student, Rebecca McDonald agreed: “The project shows each student’s individuality and style and has also helped them develop their skills.”

Sam Crossley felt he benefited from the project, explaining: “This has helped me improve my drawing skills by making my drawing more accurate and by helping me understand tone.”

INTERIOR SPACES, Penny School Gallery
Private View: Monday 25 January, 6pm-8pm
Exhibition runs from 25 January to 8 February 2010.
Telephone 020 8939 4601 for further details
Penny School Gallery, Kingston College, 44 Richmond Road, Kingston Upon Thames, KT2 5BP