Book Launch showcases work from Illustration and Animation students

Illustrator Sally Townsend, (below), recent BA (Hons) Illustration graduate, was one of the stars of yesterday's official book launch of A Boy Arrives, which was hosted jointly by local publisher Hawkwood Books, and the Lincoln School of Art and Design.

A Boy Arrives is written by local author Stephen Meek (shown below), and tells the story of Grimwood Streep and his ancient butler rattling about Dunnydark Hall. But things soon become a lot more interesting when a little boy called Jimbo turns up to put the sparkle back in their lives.

Stephen, who was long-listed for A Boy Arrives in The Times/Chicken House competition for Best Children’s Book, said: “It’s a story about redemption and how this little boy teaches the adults how to live again. Sally’s done a great job with the front cover - it really grabs your attention. I sent it along with the book to Hawkwood and they got back to me immediately to say they’d like to publish it.”

Sally, who has also recently completed a series of illustrations for Bloomsbury publishers, said: “I met Stephen purely by chance as he came to the end of year BA Illustration show. He came over and started talking about his book saying he didn’t have a cover for it. He sent me the first few chapters and I really loved the story. Stephen gave me full creativity which is fantastic. It’s been quite a long process so it’s great to finally see the finished product.”

Commissioned especially for the event was an animation of one of the opening scenes created by current third year BA (Hons) Animation student Mat Dame (above right).  After the screening, Mat described how he put the short animation together, with the help of his storyboards which he also screened, and talked about the characters he had selected to animate.

"Jimbo"

"Molesbury"

"Grimwood"

He said: “I am a big fan of children’s books as I think a lot more consideration into the design is given. Animation for children is something I would ideally like to go into once I graduate. The great thing about this project is that Stephen gave me free reign and the story was a fantastic source to work from.”  To view Mat's animation, you can see it on Vimeo.

Other recent graduates who have worked with the publisher also attended, such as Ian Purdy (shown above and below) who graduated back in 2007 from BA (Hons) Illustration, and who has gone on to illustrate several book covers for Hawkwood Books, including one adult title. Another recent graduate who was unable to attend is Felix Leone, who has illustrated two covers for Hawkwood, including Byte the Computer Mite (below).

The Lincolnshire Echo kindly sent Commissioning Editor Adam Moss (below left) to conduct a live interview with author Stephen in front of the audience, asking about his inspiration for the book, as well as how Stephen turned from studying zoology to writing children's fiction.

Opening the book launch, Professor Norman Cherry Pro Vice Chancellor and Head of College of Arts, said: “The University is delighted to be associated with Hawkwood Books. It’s the cover that persuades people in bookshops to actually pick a book up and open the pages. The combination of illustrator, author and sympathetic publisher is desperately important and that is what has been a huge success in this instance.”

Also attending was a group of third year BA (Hons) Illustration students, who were all very encouraged to hear about the increasing opportunities for illustrators in the changing world of publishing, which was the theme of keynote speaker Dr Karen Maitland, Penguin International Author.  At the end of the launch, both Stephen and Sally were happy to sign books for those who attended.

To get your hands on your copy of A Boy Arrives visit Hawkwood Booksfor more information. Also available from most good booksellers.

Design students exhibit at Dutch Design Week

PLLANT is a collaborative design group involving young designers from the University of Lincoln’s BA (Hons) Product Design and BA (Hons) Jewellery and Object programmes as well as design students from the UK universities of Plymouth, Loughborough and Nottingham Trent University.

The group concentrates on the Upcycling of waste material to create a range of innovative and enhanced outcomes. The project is supported by Co-oproduct, and will showcase work internationally at major design festivals and events throughout the coming months, starting with the Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven next week.

The 17 jewellery pieces designed by 9 current students meets the PLLANT-brief of upcycling.  The students used materials that are considered to be waste, and turned them into desirable bracelets.  The images above show what can be done with upcycled Nespresso capsules; the Capsule Collection is by Caroline Draper.

Bracelet by Ruth Browton, using reinforced rubber and ribbon.

PLLANT will exhibit it's launch project collection at Dutch Design Week (DDW) 2012, the major international design event hosted in Eindhoven, Netherlands.

   Mudguard Fruit Bowl by Benjamin Perry and George Wright

Date: 20- 28 October 2012

Venue: TAC - TemporaryArt Centre, Vonderweg 1, 5611BK Eindhoven, The Netherlands

"Occupations" curated by student of new MA programme

The first exhibition by a student on the University of Lincoln's new MA in Contemporary Curatorial Practice opened earlier this week at the Greestone Gallery within the Lincoln School of Art and Design. Curated by student Ashleigh McDougall, the show reflects on how artists continue to maintain art practices, whilst also keeping other paid jobs to pay the bills.

A series of interviews with the artists form part of the exhibition and give an insight into this often hidden aspect of an artist's life. Only arriving from Canada in the summer, Ashleigh met with a selection of artists based in Lincoln to find out more about Lincoln's art community and formed the genesis for the show based on the conversations she had with them.

"Occupations"

Greestone Gallery, October 16-26, 2012

Curated by Ashleigh McDougall (MA Contemporary Curatorial Practice)

"The image of the 19th Century starving artist is familiar, but this stereotype of hardship for the sake of art must not be considered to have died with that era. Franz Kafka, writing in 1922, explored the concept through the figure of the "hunger artist," who is entirely sustained by the process of his practice. The artist knows that the public does not truly understand or appreciate his efforts to transcend through his art, but does so anyway, being neither raised up, nor let down by their opinions. Kafka draws attention to the ideas of process, work and the influence of the outside world as being highly significant in art making. Rather than considering the works solely as they are, this exhibition seeks to draw attention to the progression of work and the role of non-art occupations in this process.

"Statistically, artists have a greater need to seek income-supporting work outside of their own practice, and have higher rates of unemployment or underemployment than non-artists. For some, financial need and the lack of opportunity dictate that limitations are placed on the time spent in practice".

Some of work included in this exhibition reflects the artist's feeling of frustration as a result of the restraints placed on them, while others are examples of the willingness to accept and incorporate the less-than ideal aspects of life in the artistic process. The artists featured are Nick Simpson, Tom Cretney, Amelia Beavis-Harrison, and the Dug collective of Joana Cifre-Cerda, Kate Buckley and Ross Oliver.

The exhibition continues until 26th October and is open 10-4 each day, apart form weekends.
For more information about this new masters programme, please visit the programmes webpage or contact Programme Leader Andrew Bracey.

MA student working with Lincoln's Usher gallery

Anyone visiting the new exhibition at Lincoln's Usher Gallery, A Focus For Memory will be able to find out more about the exhibition thanks to MA Contemporary Curatorial Practice student, Ashleigh McDougall's interpretive text.

Ashleigh has written all the text panels in the gallery and an informative companion essay, which contextualises the work by artists Tim Davies, Paul Graham and Michael Sanders. Ashleigh said of the experience,  "Writing the interpretive package for the new show at The Collection / Usher was a great experience. It gave me the chance to use the writing skills I've developed over the course of my academic career, but provided me with a practical outlet that will be important in my future career. Thinking about new and different audiences, and putting together a cohesive and complimentary theme was challenging, but also an excellent learning opportunity".

For more information either about the exhibition, or the programme MA Contemporary Curatorial Practice, contact Programme Leader Andrew Bracey.

'High Tide' at St Peters by Lincolnshire artist Gary Woods

Lincolnshire artist Gary Woods is providing a unique opportunity for people to experience the North Sea tide coming in at a small church on the East Coast of Lincolnshire. Gary has been commissioned to produce a new artwork that demonstrates the importance of churches as focal points for the arts in rurally isolated communities. His response is to create a new film that will be projected on the floor of the nave of St Peters Church, South Somercotes(above), inspired by the areas connection to the sea and salt making.

Gary’s Piece 'High Tide' will be open to the public on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th November (see below for details).

“High Tide” is the first of a series of contemporary artworks that will be commissioned over the coming months as part of the ‘Altered’ arts in churches programme. Altered is a partnership initiative between University of Lincoln, artsNK, The Diocese of Lincoln and the Churches Conservation Trust.

“The ‘Altered’ project is about commissioning some great art that tempts people into churches, to enjoy the art and to enjoy the buildings for their artistic and heritage value as well. Gary’s piece ‘High Tide’ at St Peters is a perfect illustration of what we want to do. It is a piece specifically inspired by that place, by the church as a space and the areas connection with salt making. Gary’s proposal to create a digital projection of the east coast tide washing over the nave floor is the sort of innovative art work that we hope will capture people’s imagination, regardless of their age or artistic experience” Nick Jones, artsNK Visual Arts manager.

The Altered programme will continue with a further piece by Rhubarb Theatre and Brickbeat Studios in May 2013 and two new commissions in Heckington. The organisers are keen for anyone interested in seeing arts activity in their churches to come along and find out about their long-term plans.

“This first phase is about demonstrating the value of arts in church initiatives. Phase two is to roll out the programme to new communities and churches, with some funding, advice and support available to build a bigger festival of events that can make a bigger contribution to the county” Ben Stoker, Lincolnshire Open Churches Officer, Diocese of Lincoln.

‘Altered’ has been funded by Arts Council England and Lincolnshire County Council to provide more people with an opportunity to experience great art and develop an arts programme that can improve the quality of life and local economy in the county of Lincolnshire.

When - Exhibition open Saturday 24th November and Sunday 25th November, 2.00pm - 9.00pm

Tickets - Adults £4.00  - Concession £2.00 - Children Free (under 16’s) 

All tickets are available from the box office at the Terry O’Toole Theatre on 01522 883311

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For more information contact:

Nick Jones (artsNK) – 01529 411190 

Ben Stoker (Diocese of Lincoln) – 01522 504049

Chris Heighton (University of Lincoln) – 01522 837030        

Dave Adgar (Churches Conservation Trust) – 07733 108 553

Fine Art produces stunning 3-D images

Some remarkable three-dimensional images have been appearing in the School's Greestone building recently as part of ‘The Luminous Mark’ network elective which is open to second and third year BA (Hons) Fine Art students.

Working with projected light, students are creating seemingly three-dimensional objects and images which ‘float’ in space by capturing light using steam, water, vibrating twine and flexible screens.

These ‘drawings in space’ not only make up one of several electives offered in fine art but are part of visiting lecturer Andrew Pepper’s ongoing research into spatial imaging within the visual arts.

Last month Andy was a speaker at the international Drawing Research Network Conference, held at the Universityof Loughborough, where he presented the outcomes of the workshops he has delivered here at Lincoln and other art organisations and universities.

Last year, students on his ‘In More Than One Space’ elective produced a digital publication to highlight their research output using projected light and pseudo three-dimensional imaging.

For more information click here or email Andy Pepper at apepper@lincoln.ac.uk. Images taken by student Sarah Potton.

Highly commended for Lincoln Illustration students

BA (Hons) Illustration programme is proud to announce that two of its current third year students have recently been highly commended in the Cheltenham Illustration Awards 2012 "Tales of Magical Objects".

Laura Steele (above) and Joe Maclean (below) who is now represented by top London artists' agent, were both highly commended in these awards which are administrated by the University of Gloucestershire.  The competition is run in association with Oxford University's Museums of Natural History and Pitt Rivers Museum Oxford. Entrants were told that specifically the starting point for the narrative should stem from their collection of Amulets and Charm.  

Fellow Illustration student Paul Heredia (shown top image, bottom row, far right) was one of eight emerging talent artists also to be awarded.

Laura was delighted to receive an email during the summer, notifying her that her entry had been highly commended and guaranteed a place in the exhibition at the Pitt Rivers Museum, and that the annual containing her work will be published in early spring 2013.

The awards event with various speakers takes place next week, Saturday 20 October at the Oxford Museum of Natural History / Pitt Rivers Museum, where tickets are available to purchase.  Unfortunately Laura will be unable to attend, but Paul will certainly be there to collect his award. Their work will then go on  public display at the Pitt Rivers Museum from 20 October to 25 November.

mbrela launches at National Centre for Craft and Design

mbrela is the collaboration between three Product Design and Industrial Design programmes, based at three international universities: BA (Hons) Product Design here at the University of Lincoln, Industrial Design at Philadelphia University, and Industrial Design at San Jose State University, both in the US.

The exhibition is currently showing in the roof gallery of the National Centre for Craft and Design, and runs until 4 November.  The exhibition offers the visitor a glimpse of the collection of products which were designed and created collaboratively by the staff and students across the continents, through the use of blogging, Skype, and research visits.

The collection of fresh, exciting and fun products features 'Dragg', a luminescent blue coloured rope light, designed by Michael Palmer, Lincoln;

'Sykho' a chair that rocks mysteriously when it is not occupied, designed by Chris Gray, Lincoln;

 'Zoomster', a children's toy ride that can be decorated by its owner, designed by John O'Leary, Lincoln;

and 'Denrug', a rug which lets you clamber inside and make a den, designed by Brenden Feucht and Greg Sunderman, both from Philadelphia University, together with Joseph Rimmer from Lincoln.

Participating students Fran Knight (designer of Milk Light) and John Gill, trying out 'Boksy', designed by Cameron Cole, Lotte de Jong, and Brian Boidin, all from University of Lincoln.

'Notch Light' by Adam Leeming.  An inner light is revealed when the blocks surrounding the light are moved or removed.

A welcome evening was held last week, when guest speakers from both Lincoln and Philadelphia gave an insight into how the project first started, the collaboration itself, and the exhibitions resulting from the collaboration, right across the globe, from Milan, to New York, to Baltimore.  This is the first time the collection can be seen by the general public in its entirety in the UK.

Staff and students above from Philadelphia University joined us for this special evening.

George Crane, Director of UK based design company Slam Design is an integral member of the mbrela collaboration as Lincoln's Level 3 Major Project this year is a collaboration between Lincoln and Philadelphia to produce a range of ideas, concepts and proposals for Slam Design to introduce new product ranges.  The two studios have already communicated through Skype and the recent 'Brick & Mortar' session and will continue to develop ideas for presentations to George in the near future and continually as ideas evolve.

Doris Wells-Papanek visits University of Lincoln

The BA (Hons) Product Design programme is delighted to welcome Doris Wells-Papanek to the University this Sunday 14 October from 6-00 - 8-00pm in the Co-op lecture theatre.

Doris Wells-Papanek, M.Ed, based in the greater Chicago area, collaborates with educators, practitioners, and learners to design and research tailored learning experiences. Doris has coached learners of all ages, authored multiple papers, and presented at national and international conferences. As partner of Greenleaf & Papanek Publications, Doris has co-authored five books on student-centered learning. With over 25 years of experience in human interaction design, she has developed change strategies, managed creative teams, and conducted human-centered action research studies.

Doris has collaborated with companies such as Apple, Xerox, Lotus, Hewlett-Packard, Siemens, Philips, and Intuit and learning organisations such as Chicago Public Schools, Waukegan Public Schools.

Doris will be presenting on the subject of Kindergarten through to Yr12 design education in the US alongside Professor Anne Chick, Stewart Bibby who will present on The Big Toy Factory and mbrela Jr. and Les Porter who will present on the Design & Technology Forum.  You are invited to attend as the Product programme continues to build its involvement in the Big Toy Factory.

For further information, contact Programme Leader BA (Hons) Product Design, Stewart Bibby.

Lincoln Animator working on Snowman 2

2012 BA (Hons) Animation graduate Lara Carvalho, who was awarded Best Student in Animation 2012, joined Lupus Films earlier this summer.

Lupos Studios have been working on Snowman 2, and Lara was selected, after Animation's visiting tutor and Lupos' lead animator, Peter Dodd, put her forward. Lara is based on the production as a junior Artist / Animator.

Snowman 2 will be screened later this year as a Christmas special for Channel 4.

The Snowman 2

The magic begins again!

“From the team that brought you the original Snowman comes a new half hour Christmas special featuring the worlds’s favourite Christmas character.  The film will re-unite viewers with their beloved Snowman, this time in a brand new adventure with a new set of friends.  The new film will use the same hand-drawn animation technique as the original, to best replicate the beautiful illustrative style of Raymond Briggs’ drawings.  The film will be completed in time for broadcast at Christmas 2012, which is the 30^th anniversary of the original Snowman film” (Lupos Films).

YCN Awards Night - a great night for Lincoln students

The Young Creative Network recently held their annual awards ceremony in Londonto honour the winners of this year’s YCN Student Competition. Amongst the successful entrants were University of Lincoln Creative Advertisingstudents Liam Nicholson and Vicki Thompson. Liam and Vicki collected a ‘gong’ for the work they submitted for the Triumph Bra's student brief.

They were second year students when they entered this national competition and it is very satisfying for the staff team to see them compete and win against students more experienced than them. Here’s Vicki to explain how the night went:

“On 4 September Liam and I ventured down to London to Shoreditch Town Hall for the YCN awards 2012. We were both thrilled that our work for the Industry Trust brief was commended, and even found ourselves sitting with their representatives for the ceremony. Going into the entrance area we were greeted with strange cocktails and steel drummers, and on moving into the main hall found plenty more decoration along a tropical theme. The ceremony itself was exciting and entertaining with guest speakers and clever animation shorts about their work, each of the speakers presenting a few different briefs' awards.

“After dinner our group was next up. We were presented on stage with our 'A's, our group being congratulated by guest speaker Toby Triumph. Following on from the ceremony we were directed downstairs for something 'special', which was in fact being showered with bits of jelly as it was blown up in the centre of the room... (yes, really).

“Exploding Jelly and something to hang on the wall, what more could you want.

“Overall an amazing evening to celebrate everyone's success and a reminder that hard work, taking risks and enjoying your work can pay off. Thank you to everyone that congratulated us and thanks to YCN for putting on such a great evening".