Have we started yet?
University of South Wales BA (Hons) Photographic Art Graduate Show 2016
*Formerly University of Newport
One likes to think that an artist is innately capable of producing emotive work simply because they are artistic. Although this can be the case for the very lucky few, most artists have had an education in their practice – like a muscle, the creative mind and it’s processes need to be trained.
Art degrees have taken a fair bit of flack recently – sometimes, correctly so. It is difficult to guide a group of largely 20-somethings from a base level to an ‘artist’ in three years. The fruit of this short period takes the form of the degree show which is expected to be, and too often described as, ‘up-and-coming’ or even more optimistically: ‘emerging’. A degree show cannot be fully curated as each student is represented regardless of quality and usually with an equal amount of wall space shared between the class.
Understandably then, the idea of a self-organised exhibition by a large group of very new and very different artists would strike terror into the hearts of many with an interest in visual culture. It is abhorrently far too easy to conjure up a caricature: a rag-tag band of students throwing together the amalgamation of three years worth of experimentation into a cramped space, simply because, pitifully, this concept is by no means rare.
The description of the stereotypical degree show above is a far cry from the confident, bold work by University of South Wales’* Photographic Art students. The show and subsequent publication has a certain self effacing humour, as does a lot of the work within them, this tone is perfectly captured in the title: ‘Have We Started Yet?’. The publication is well designed, perfectly functioning as an efficient exhibition catalogue of sorts whilst also managing to define the kaleidoscopic cacophony that is the exhibition itself. To describe the show as a kaleidoscope infers that ‘Have We Started Yet?’ is in some way psychedelic. Perhaps this makes the choice of word a poor representation of the clear separation between bodies of work. “Separation” is not used to identify physical space, which was admittedly a little in short supply, but rather to describe the clear choices of medium and style between each of the pieces.
Turner House Gallery was awash with bold colours and fit to bursting with large, confident work that seemed to jostle a little for space from the floorboards to (and through) the ceiling in an equally playful way. Not restrained to tradition in any sense but almost trying to distance itself from or gleefully satirise photographic and indeed art history. There is a real sense of fun running throughout nearly every aspect of the show and in the same vein is relentless experimentation both in the concepts and actual aesthetics of what each artist has managed to produce. ‘Have We Started Yet?’ is a degree show which showcases some very real talent by very capable artists, however, one does not frequent degree shows to see artists in their prime. One visits a degree show rather to experience an explosion; a celebration of pride as students forcing their heads under the curtain of the ‘art world’, perhaps for the first time, realise that there are more people on the other side, welcoming and willing them to wriggle further through. It is truly joyous to witness and honestly inspiring to be part of.
Best of luck to you, graduates of 2016. I can only look forward to see more of you soon.
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‘Have We Started Yet?’ was on display at Turner House Gallery 11 – 16 June 2016 in association with Ffotogallery.
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Words and images by Declan Connolly
