11.06.2007
Over 500 graduating students from the university showcased their work this June at the acclaimed Burt Brill and Cardens' Graduate Show 2007. The artistic celebration attracted over 15,000 visitors and the show was accompanied by a bumper programme of events including the Burt Brill and Cardens' People's Art Award.
Back for its second year, the award invited the public to vote for their favourite graduate work. This year's winner was graduate Yossel Simpson Little, who has just completed a BA(Hons) in Wood, Metal, Ceramics and Plastics. He is pictured here with Virginia Legg-Willis from Burt Brill & Cardens.
Yossel's winning creation captured not just the public's vote but their imagination too. The two intricately designed wooden sculptures with their aged crooked windows and snow-capped rooftops were described as many things by the public; from a haunted house to a scene out of a timeless film classic. Ask Yossel how he interprets the piece and he is open-minded, even about the creation's name:
"I didn't want to give the piece a title. Giving a title provides a direct story into something else and I wanted to keep my work unique so the viewer can look at it in their own way. It's for people to use their imaginations and completely up to their own interpretation."
By appealing to everyone and encouraging 'art for all' it seems highly appropriate Yossel should win the People's Art Award, which was voted for by the general public. It echoes the beliefs of Burt Brill and Cardens' too, who have supported the graduate show for thirteen years. The Brighton-based solicitors have made it their goal to encourage and support graduates' talent so that they can continue to work after university.
Yossel now has grand plans and designs for the future. With experience in carpentry and construction Yossel is no stranger to building. Now with a degree under his belt he hopes his experience will help craft future projects:
"This is just the beginning of it all and I want to continue building similar pieces. Seeing the reaction from children, who have really loved the house, has really inspired me. I am now thinking about contacting doll house companies to make one-off creations."
Contact: Marketing and Communications, University of Brighton, 01273 643022
