State of the art
As Wimbledon College of Art prepares for its annual MA show, Vicky Smith went along to find out about its recent merger and exciting plans for the future
Above: Wimbledon College of Art
The last two years have been a question of Wimbledon School of Art changing into Wimbledon College of Art,” says Dean George Blacklock. Two years ago, the former stand-alone art school, which has been in Wimbledon since the 1930s, merged with University of the Arts London as part of a government objective to bring small institutions together. Since then, the college has adjusted to being part of a larger facility. “For students there hasn’t been too much change,” says the Dean. “They are really keen to be part of University of the Arts London (UAL) and there is more opportunity for them as UAL students.”
The benefits of the merger have become particularly apparent at the College’s annual degree exhibitions, which have seen a marked increase in attendance. “UAL have bought many more people to our shows. Collectors have been coming along and buying work, something that never happened before. We sold £20,000 worth of work on the first day of the degree show earlier this year. As design students pay a lot of money to do their courses, it’s obviously a huge draw for them.”
As the hugely anticipated MA show is taking place this month (it opens on 5 September), Blacklock is expecting a similar success: “We will have the same possibilities at the MA show. We will have collectors, buyers, and the Emerging Artists Board coming along.”
Those in attendance will be treated to a host of inspiring and impressive work. The college boasts three popular Fine Art MAs, including a drawing course that was the first in the country, as well as the opportunity to pursue an MA in the School of Theatre. Students are encouraged to interact between schools – the ratio is around 50:50, which Blacklock believes is an incredibly positive aspect of studying at Wimbledon College of Art. “The juxtaposition of the subjects makes a more cohesive group of students and the interaction between art and theatre students makes for quite an exciting learning atmosphere,” he says.
This merging of subjects and students is something that the Dean will be working to develop even further over the next few years. “We are now part of CCW, which stands for Chelsea, Camberwell and Wimbledon. Together, the three colleges are one of the biggest voices and we are looking to increase the inclusion of CCW into our MA courses.”
The merger will result in students applying to the graduate school, and collaborating with students across the three locations. “We want to look at a new way to develop the MA, and encourage national and international collaborations,” says Blacklock. “We will have textile and graphic design at Chelsea and textiles at Camberwell. We will be able to call on a bigger community and bring more out in each student. From collaboration will come innovation.”
These changes at Wimbledon are set to come into action over the next few years and there’s certainly exciting times ahead for the hugely-respected and ever-popular site. And as for the budding talents who are set to graduate the MA course this year? They couldn’t be happier. We met up with three preparing for the show.
Corrine Felgate
Why did you choose Wimbledon College?
The quality of work by previous students and largely because of the attitude and profile of tutors that I met when looking in to the MA.
How does it differ from other colleges?
The MA tutors are all artists with highly-successful practices of their own, which is rare. I think there’s an honesty at Wimbledon that doesn’t exist anywhere else, especially not at London colleges.
What do you think of Wimbledon as an area?
I considered the location of the college a downside rather than
a positive before I started. The contemporary art world is very East London-based, which is where I was living, but I have really appreciated the change of pace in Wimbledon. In the East End everyone is an artist, and at times it’s a little odd, but in Wimbledon people are just people, they’re real and it’s very grounding.
Tell us a bit about your MA work…
My practice spans sculpture, photography, film and performance, exploring processes we use to navigate through everyday life. I’ve been working with familiar objects – plastic bags, washing-up gloves, tea pots, suits and shoes. I imagine these ‘ordinary’ things from a Martian perspective, suddenly everything seems mundane and ridiculous!
Duane Moyle
Why did you choose Wimbledon College?
My first impression of Wimbledon College of Art was the new, purpose-built, well lit studios. I then had a very positive interview with someone who seemed genuinely enthusiastic about my work; some of the other interviews had felt like an interrogation or a test to find your intellectual shortcomings. Finally, the location was favourable – I didn’t want to battle traffic and city centre madness everyday.
Where do you find your inspiration?
I cycle to the college every day and my journey includes Richmond Park and Wimbledon Common. I get a perfect opportunity to unwind, clear my head and enjoy nature in these wonderful parks.
Tell us a bit about your MA work...
My practice stems from a questioning of the expectations of what art should be and the stereotypes and mythologies of what an artist should do. My MA work is a group of seven paintings that are desperately trying to be masterpieces.
What do you plan to do after graduation?
I’m looking for a studio space as I have about seven commissions to do, including a portrait for Lennox Lewis, which is very exciting.
Leah Clough
Why did you choose Wimbledon College?
I chose Wimbledon College because of its links right into the centre of London – you are able to get direct routes of transport that take you to all the galleries and city life you need, while being able to live and work in a less hectic and calmer area of the capital.
Tell us a bit about your MA work…
I look at botanical, zoological and scientific drawings of representations of nature and how the accumulation of mark-making and lines can work together to create a more embellished and striking image.
What do you plan to do after graduation? I hope to continue my drawings while working and living in London for a few more years until I move back home to Hong Kong. l
The Wimbledon College MA Show runs from 5-10 September. Visit www.wimbledonmashow.com or call 020 7541 9640 for more details