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It’s the big one: 500 exhibitors and 1,500 visitors get ready for the 2010 Burt Brill & Cardens Graduate Show ‘Hook, Line And Sinker’

Steven Woodward University of Brighton

It promises to be one of the biggest shows of its kind on the calendar anywhere in Britain, and one that provides a launch pad for rising stars in the world of art, design and fashion. More than 500 graduating students from the University of Brighton will be showcasing their work to over 1,500 visitors this June at ‘Hook, Line And Sinker’, Burt Brill and Cardens Graduate Show 2010.

Transformed into the largest art gallery in the South East, the Faculty of Arts in Grand Parade, Brighton, will play host to a vast collection of work from 25 courses, from 3D design to photography.

As one of the city’s cultural highlights of the year, the graduate show is accompanied by a bumper programme of activities in the university garden, including the annual sell-out Graduate Fashion Show on Saturday 5 June and the Family Day on Sunday 6 June. This sees the return of the hugely popular Big Knit, where novices and pros come together with knitting needles.

Back by popular demand for the fourth year running is the People’s Art Award, which invites the general public to vote for their favourite graduate’s work. Sponsors Burt Brill and Cardens, one of Brighton’s most reputable and long-standing firms of solicitors, show their commitment to raising the profile of students’ achievements by investing in the People’s Art Award. This is also backed by Latest Seven.

The graduate show provides an opportunity for visitors to uncover the next generation of promising artists, and they can commission artwork or compile a collection of the students’ work before they become leading lights in their profession. Steven Woodward, fashion with business student, was a runner-up at this year’s Fashion Awareness Direct (FAD) competition and saw his work highlighted as part of London Fashion Week. His designs were selected from more than 100 entrants and the competition is described by Vogue.com as an “undeniable springboard for the next generation of talent”.

Knitted textiles student Debbie Holman, who received a £2,000 bursary from The Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters, will be displaying her clothing range, which is designed to help improve the quality of life for eczema sufferers. Debbie has worked with designers at Accessorize, and seen her work sold in New York. Knitted textiles student Sophie Penn was also the recipient of a bursary from The Worshipful Company of Framework Knitters. She will be exhibiting a range of work created as a result of her extensive research into the ways in which communication can be used in knitted textile design.

Katie Spragg, a student on the materials practice course specialising in ceramics and plastic, will display a collection inspired by narratives about poisoning. Textiles print student Laura Andrews, who has benefited from working in Ecuador, India and also at the design department of Accessorize, will be displaying her own range of fashion and textiles. With a great interest in fair trade, Laura is currently working as a designer for EcoChic, a company based in Hove, and also contributes to their online magazine.

Fine art print student, Ania Zydron, jumped at the opportunity to take up a placement at the Nagoya University in Japan as part of her course. She had the opportunity to learn traditional Japanese woodcutting techniques and her exchange culminated in an international student exhibition. Like many of the students exhibiting at this year’s event, Ania is looking forward to seeing her work being given a wider public stage.

The University of Brighton prides itself on producing some of the UK’s most talented artists and designers. Past graduates include legendary Biba designer Barbara Hulanicki and Turner Prize-winners Keith Tyson and Rachel Whiteread. Fashion graduate Julien MacDonald was voted British Designer of the Year 2001, and Gresham Blake has become modish tailor to style-conscious stars and was listed in Time Out as one of Brighton’s new wave of entrepreneurs. Karen Craig has also had outstanding success as one half of fashion duo Marchesa, the British couture label and must-have brand among Hollywood celebrities.

Burt Brill and Cardens Graduate Show 2010: Hook, Line And Sinker, University of Brighton, Grand Parade, Brighton, 01273 644099. Saturday 5 June–Thursday 10 June; 12–8pm Saturday; 12–6pm Sunday; 10am–8pm Monday-Wednesday; 10am–4pm Thursday, free

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 3rd, 2010 at 10:58 am and is filed under Fashion, Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.