11th January
Q&A with Viola Wang, printmaker
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Morley has had an amazing run over the past ten weeks since June with a series of ten diverse exhibitions for The Artists of Morley series. Each show highlighted the incredible talent developed at Morley, from painting and photography to ceramics and jewellery.听
Each exhibition was staged in record time听 – so hats off to the professionalism of the Morley gallery team! These are some of the highlights of these fantastic exhibitions:听
The series began with A Brush with Paint, a group exhibition of contemporary paintings from this year鈥檚 Advanced Painting course, taught by Steve Wright. The exhibition featured a variety of styles, from lyrical landscapes to imaginative pieces envisioning a future integrated with Artificial Intelligence. Each work represented a personal journey, and the transformative power of a brush loaded with paint.
The gallery presented an exhibition of works from the Photography for Adults with Learning Disabilities class, which has been running since September 2023. This showcase celebrated the achievements of students who, as total beginners, learned to articulate and express their thoughts through photography. The exhibition highlighted how mutual respect and trust within the class have fostered significant personal development and self-esteem.
The intricate world of jewellery with Ornament, featuring creations by Level 2 Jewellery Certificate students preparing for professional careers. This exhibit was paired with works by the scholars鈥擲hirley Nelson, Ayesha Sureya, Ella Bonomi and India Lawrence – who have honed their skills and developed their businesses with generous funding from the .
The ceramics department showcased its Ceramics End of Year exhibition – a culmination of two years of exploration and learning. The display included a variety of thrown, cast, and hand-built creations, demonstrating innovative uses of materials and concepts. The exhibition also featured exceptional work from HNC Ceramics students, celebrating their year-long journey of skill development.
Eye & Hand highlighted the creative process of students at the North Kensington Centre for Skills. This exhibition offered a diverse collection of ceramics, glass, jewellery, and interior design pieces, each reflecting the unique artistic journey of its creator. The works combined traditional and non-traditional techniques, showcasing the students’ ability to transcend genre boundaries.
In a collaborative spirit, Catharsis was co-curated by Chelsea Centre鈥檚 teaching staff and students. This comprehensive exhibition featured interdisciplinary works, including painters collaborating with sound artists and fashion designers working with photographers. The projects illustrated the students’ ability to navigate and merge different artistic fields, preparing them for careers in the creative industries.听
The Textiles End of Year Show displayed the personal final projects of Textile Foundation. On the course students developed their skills and passion for textiles, creating works using traditional, contemporary, and experimental techniques. The exhibition represented two terms of dedicated learning and making.
Photology 2024 celebrated the accomplishments of photography students.听 This year marked a historic moment for Morley, with five mature students graduating with a BA top-up in Photography. Their works were displayed alongside those from HNC/HND programs, showcasing a rich diversity of talent and perspectives.听
The UAL Foundation in Art & Design End of Year Show concluded a year of intensive study for Foundation students. This exhibition demonstrated their ability to generate ideas, develop critical thinking, and experiment with new concepts. The works on display also served as portfolios for higher education or further study applications, highlighting their preparedness for future academic and professional pursuits.听
The final exhibition featured an extraordinary collaboration between Morley Millinery students and . Guided by Yona Lesger, students explored traditional hats from around the world, drawing inspiration from the Trust鈥檚 extensive collection. Under the guidance of lecturers Vesna Pesic, Rafael Peinador Perez, and Sarah Lomax – students immersed themselves in diverse periods and styles, experimenting with innovative and sustainable materials.
Morley鈥檚听series of exhibitions demonstrated students’ incredible talent and dedication and Morley’s commitment to fostering creativity and professional growth.听听 To see more of the artworks head to the showcase section of our website.