This exhibition includes examples of work by three graduates from each of the study areas Design for Industry and Furniture Design, Fashion and Textile Design, Graphic Design and Multimedia, Interior Decoration, Interior Design, Jewellery, Photography, and Visual Art and Craft. No doubt about it, there is some great work here that makes for interesting viewing. Unfortunately there are a couple of clangers that have us wondering, if this is the 'best' then what is happening in art education today.
In the Design for Industry and Furniture Design section, you'd be hard pressed to find fault with Shane Moyle's coffee table. This beautiful functional piece of furniture shows the amount of attention the maker paid to 'finishing' the object, which is both a useful table and a sculptural piece. The same can be said about Paul Murphy's padded backless bench that is reminiscent of the old 'love seat' with its wave-like shape.
The Interior Decoration and Interior Design sections provide interesting presentations despite the majority selecting boring colours. Autumnal tones may indeed be considered 'warm' and 'soothing' or even 'retro' but too much old fashion brown and beige, even if recycled as chocolate and cappuccino, remains dull and colourless.
The Graphic Design and Multimedia folios and illustration panels are also well presented. One feels sure the computer is expanding and enhancing this discipline but it's good to see some hands-on efforts. Photography too depends on good mechanics however the 'eye' will always be the basis of any good photograph. Vanessa Bunce knows this as her chromatic triptych Make Up is composed of three beautifully balanced images while the black and white landscape Winter Breaks exudes mood and mystery.
Fashion and Textile Design is ably represented. Mladenka Matic's efforts are imaginative, attractive, well finished, and appear to be comfortable to wear. Good work here. And when it comes to Jewellery, each piece seems perfect. Tas Kerley's fine efforts are captivating, each a mini sculpture. And Amy Finch's influence from nature comes through to produce imaginative unique pieces. Meanwhile, Jodie de Bijl presents work that neatly combines modern and traditional ideas to produce jewellery that is not only beautiful but easily wearable. Every one's a winner.
All that's left is Visual Art and Craft, which is heart breaking. With the exception of Deni's tense and constricting photographs Tussle 1 & 2, that put us right in the middle of the action, there is no 'art' or 'craft' to see or speak of. If the other two exhibitors in this category represent 'the best' the painting and sculpture section can produce, the situation is dire. It's bad enough when a footnoted quote and personal rhetoric is needed to validate a pitiful drawing and a dirty mattress as 'Art', it's worse when lecturers allow it.