Students explore social issues in Graduate Show

Students from the Schools of Art, Media and Humanities will exhibit work at the Grand Parade and Edward Street Galleries at the university’s City campus 1–9 June, while students from the School of Architecture and Design will display their projects 9–14 June at Mithras House on the Moulsecoomb campus.

All of the exhibitions are free to the public. The Graduate Show marks the culmination of the participating students’ undergraduate degrees.

Exhibitors include Jack Moore, Product Design student, who has created a piece of outdoor furniture to “encourage social interaction” between teenagers and the wider public. Jack’s design, which was inspired by his volunteer work with a local youth charity, provides free access to wifi and phone charging facilities.

Jack said: “Getting to know teenagers in the local area was a brilliant experience and made me see how they were such an unfairly represented group.

Jack Moore's Graduate Show project

Ziyoo Hwang's illustration

“I wanted to try and bridge the gap between teenagers and people in wider society using public spaces. If you show people that teenagers are not bad, they will learn that by getting to know them you’ll understand that they are valuable members of society with lots to offer.”

Illustration student Ziyoo Hwang, meanwhile, has produced a book and animation relating to the mental health of young people.

Ziyoo said: “I make still and moving images, mostly about my personal life and youth mental health issues. I am really interested in human behaviours.”

Of her time at the university, Ziyoo added: “It was amazing. If you look at the projects I did in my first year, they look completely different from what I’m making these days.”

3D Design and Craft student Annabel Lumby, has made plastic puppet sea creatures – Larry the Lobster and Manuel the Manta Ray – to raise awareness of ocean pollution. Annabel said her aim was to “enlighten the audience through humour and an underlying message”.

She added: “My creatures are all made from discarded plastics I collected from the beach and recycling bins. I then melted them to create my own sheets, from which I formed my creatures.”

The university’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Debra Humphris said: “Our Graduate Show is an excellent platform for students to display their wonderful work and creativity.

“It is a free public show, open to all, and I look forward to welcoming visitors to come and see the work that will move you in many ways.

“Every year we are bowled over by the imagination and creativity of our exhibiting students, and this year’s show will be no different. Come and join us.”

The exhibitions for the Schools of Art, Media and Humanities are free to the public from 1–9 June, 12pm to 5pm, except Thursday 6 June (10am to 8pm) and Friday 7 June (10am to 6pm).

The Architecture and Design exhibitions are open from 10am to 3pm on 8 June and 2–7pm 9–14 June.

Annabel Lumby with her manta ray puppet