Love what you do, do what you love - University of Wolverhampton

fresh
News magazine from the University of Wolverhampton School of Art & Design - Spring 2009
Love what you do, do what you love
[ image: Sid’s Faces by Natalie Poole ]
STUDENT FOCUS 3 CREATIVE EMPLOYABILITY 7 STAFF FOCUS 10 EVENTS 11
3D Design / Animation / Ceramics / Computer Games Design
/ Design and Applied Arts / Fashion Accessories / Fine Art / Glass /
Graphic Communication / Illustration / Interactive Media /
Interior Design / Journalism AND Editorial Design / Photography
/ Product Design / Textile Design / Video and Film Production

–
1
1 POSTGRADUATE
GRADUATION CEREMONY
2 RECENT EVENTS
2 Transitions Synopsium
2 Research Results Highlight Excellence
3 STUDENT FOCUS
3 Copper Bottomed
4 Graphic Communication Students
work with English Heritage
4 The Hans Brinker Trophy 2008
5 Kuhn Rikon Knife Project
5 Argh it’s a Disabled Person
5 Deadly Graphics
6 India Trip
7 CREATIVE EMPLOYABILITY
7 Live Brief
8 Work Placements
8 Design Agency comes back
to University
8 Black Country Creative Partnerships
8 Creative Success in KITTS Placement
8 LNN Employability Website
8 Graduate Recruitment
9 Employability Live
9 SPEED West Midlands
10 STAFF FOCUS
10 Painting the Blues by Ben Kelly
10 The Man Who Never Was
11 Rewarding Excellence SAD
11 EVENTS LISTINGS
11 Life Through a Lens
12 Light House Student
photographic Awards 2009
12 Your Where by Katherin Böhm
12 Sid’s Face by Natalie Poole
13 CADRE Lectures 2008-9
13 The Artist Gallery
13 SAD 40th Anniversary
13 Presswork’s present: Relentless
13 Degree Shows 2009
14 PROFESSOR EDWARD BIRD
15 VISIT THE SCHOOL
15 CONTACT FRESH
Postgraduate
Graduation
Ceremony
We celebrated the success of our
postgraduate students on 25 February
2009 at the Graduation Ceremony, held
at the Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton
The students graduating were:
Doctor of Philosophy
James Andrew Davis, Senior Lecturer, Interactive Media
MA Art and Design (Animation)
Nicoletta Karagiorgi
MA Art and Design (Ceramics)
Mark Bath, Alan Higgins
MA Art and Design (Fine Art)
Kaye Selvey, Linda Taylor
MA Art and Design (Furniture)
Darren Hillman
MA Art and Design (Glass)
Xin Li, Hilary Poole
MA Art and Design (Graphic Design)
Warren Clarke, Ailish Kearns, Theodora Parpa,
Konstantina Sakellaridou, Konstantinos Spyrou,
Postgraduate Diploma Art and Design (Graphic Design)
Siti Norbaya Bte Razali
MA Art and Design (Illustration)
Jessie Cape, Riona Cunningham
MA Art and Design (Interior Design)
Ojevwe Agnes Benemoh, Dan Li, Jacqueline Norton,
Ozohu Mary Omeiza, Yang Yang
MA Art and Design (Photography)
Karen Mills
MA Art and Design (Textiles)
Nicki Dalloway, Theresa Jones
Postgraduate Certificate Art and Design (Textiles)
Caroline Rose
MA Art and Design (Visual Communication)
Low How Koon
MA Design for Advertising
Christina Apalnes
MA Fine Art
Caroline Cleary, Victoria Daker, Paul Drewnicki, Sarah Harford
Congratulations to all!
www.wlv.ac.uk/artanddesign

RECENT EVENTS
2
Transitions
Symposium
The Transitions Symposium was held on
Wednesday 4th March 2009 at the School
of Art & Design. This was a partnership event
with Bilston Craft Gallery and the School of Art
& Design’s, Centre for Art and Design Research
and Experimentation (CADRE).
Over 30 people attended the event, from
University lecturers to students, members of
the Crafts Council and industry professionals.
The aim of the Transitions Symposium was to
address the challenges faced by mid-career
makers and look at how change and new
opportunity can help to instigate a shift in
how designer makers move forward. A series
of speakers explored what opportunities are
available, focusing on the financial, personal
and educational implications of change.
Speakers included, Cas Holmes (Textile Artist),
an insight into Cas’ work history and career path;
Marlene Little (Course Director BA (Hons)
Textile Design, Birmingham City University),
the visual audit - seeing and evaluating with
new eyes; Beatrice Mayfield (Crafts Council),
mid-career initiatives at the Crafts Council;
Heather Rigg (Designer Maker, West Midlands),
issues relating to mid-career makers.
“The response from those who attended the
event has been really positive. The speakers
addressed many of the issues facing makers,
especially how to operate within a funding system
that is being affected by the current economic
climate,” said Pat Dillon, Divisional Leader for
Design and Applied Arts.
The symposium relates to Bilston Craft Gallery’s
touring exhibition, ‘Transitions’, on show at
Brewery Arts, Cirencester 2 March - 6 May
2009. www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk/bilston
| RECENT EVENTS
10% of research in the School of Art
and Design was rated as world leading,
25% as internationally excellent and
50% as internationally recognized.
Research Results
Highlight Excellence
The results from the latest Research Assessment Exercise
(RAE 2008) highlight significant improvement in Art and Design
with areas of international excellence.
The School’s Centre for Art, Design, Research and Experimentation (CADRE)
was established in 2006, to foster the development of our research community.
It has four research clusters:
• Art, Design and Creative Technology: which blends the interdisciplinary
expertise of artists, designers and computing experts in areas such as
animation, games design, graphic design, illustration, and interactive
and web-based media programming.
• Art, Society and Environment: which is interested in how artists critically
engage in the public realm in ways that serve ideals of radical democracy and
creativity in the public interest.
• Art, Practice and Critical Theory: These researchers have expertise in
theories and material skills that inform modern making. Members of the group
utilise a full range of 2D, 3D and time-based media skills and approaches.
• Material Design and Applied Art: This group champions craft as an
experimental and future looking practice. The group has expertise in the
plastic arts and 3D design, most specifically in the areas of art glass, tableware
design in silver and ceramics, architectural ceramics and textiles.
10% of research in the School of Art and Design was rated as world leading,
25% as internationally excellent and 50% as internationally recognized.
Prof Tim Collins said; “We established the Centre for Art, Design, Research
and Experimentation three years ago to focus and develop the strengths in
our research culture. We have a robust group of PhD students and a research
lecture series. The School of Art and Design continues to move forward and
contribute to the form and function of Art and Design in the 21st century”.
The strength and variety of research adds to the richness of our academic
portfolio by informing our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
www.wlv.ac.uk/artanddesign

3 STUDENT FOCUS
| STUDENT FOCUS
Copper Bottomed
MA student Dawn van Gerven has won a prize
in the national Art Medal competition organised
by the British Art Medal Society. The competition
encourages and promotes the art of making
medals and over one hundred student medals
from as many as fifteen art colleges were submitted
for judging for prizes and selection for exhibition.
Art medals are usually in cast bronze and are double faced
but they can be made in any material.
Having a sculptural ceramics background Dawn van Gerven
decided to have a go at bronze casting for the first time
with a group of fellow students, who were also entering the
competition under the guidance of senior lecturer Ben
Carpenter.
Dawn says “it was a really long process but I got great
satisfaction from designing, casting and finishing the medal.
These competitions not only give students something to work
towards but an opportunity to get their work showcased”.
Art medals are usually commissioned to commemorate an
event or person, or to express a particular belief. Dawn’s
medal was based on the saying ‘Copper Bottomed’ which
means genuine, something that can be relied on. Copper
bottomed originally described ships which had their hulls
sheathed with copper to defend them against wood boring
molluscs and the build up of weeds and barnacles. The fixing
of copper began in 1761 and later became common place.
It was not long before this phrase was used to refer to anything
that was reliable and trustworthy.
Dawn’s prize was awarded for her subtle contrasting patination
and good use of both sides of the medal. Patination of bronze
is usually a natural process that develops over time; the green/
blue colour that was produced on her medal is copper
carbonate which is also used in her ceramics to create the
greens and blues in glazes. Bronze is made up from a mixture of
copper and tin so her title for the medal fits the whole idea well.
The medal is currently in the Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro
and will be displayed in the British Museum next year. Dawn
was also the overall winner of the Wedgwood jewellery and
body adornment competition last semester and her work can
be seen in the New Wedgwood Museum in Stoke as part of
their permanent collection.
[Pictured above: Dawn van Gerven at work and her work ‘Copper Bottomed’]
[Pictured over: Suzanne Carter from English Heritage with Qucie Green, Marketing and Recruitment Officer
and Scott Knight, Business Development Manager discussing a fact-finding visit to National Trust property Wightwick Manor]
[Pictured over: Jenny Brandon and Lisa Roffey ]
www.wlv.ac.uk/artanddesign

STUDENT FOCUS
4
Graphic Communication students
work with English Heritage
English Heritage has come to the School of Art and Design and to the Graphic
Communication course in particular, for help with an interesting challenge
Every year, during the second weekend in
September, English Heritage and the Civic Trust
host ‘Heritage Open Days’. The events are staged
to celebrate all aspects of England’s heritage,
allowing the public free access to over 3,500
fascinating properties across the country.
Wanting to attract a more diverse audience to
this event, English Heritage have asked Graphic
Communication students to undertake market
research and then to apply their results to a range
of creative design solutions that will encourage
broadening participation. Selected student designs
will go into publication to promote Heritage Open
Days at local National Trust property, Wightwick
Manor, before, it is hoped, being adopted
nationwide in 2010.
“Our students are very enthusiastic about working
with English Heritage on such a valuable project that
will undoubtedly have a large impact on attracting
visitors to many of England’s heritage venues” said
Jeff Leak, course leader. “I hope that this project
will inspire not just graphics students, but all students
within the School of Art and Design to visit one
of the fascinating venues that will open to the
public during the 2009 Heritage Open Days.”
Heritage Open Days run from Thursday 10 to
Sunday 13 September 2009. Details of venues
that are open for visitors can be found at:
www.heritageopendays.org.uk/directory
* See the next issue of Fresh for an update on this project.
The Hans
Brinker
Trophy 2008
Five painting students from the
University of Wolverhampton’s
Fine Art course were selected to
travel to Amsterdam and compete
in this prodigious annual painting
competition with a 5000 Euro prize.
The five students taking part in the
exhibition were: Sarah Aldridge,
Martha Dragan, Yiannis Mitrou,
Diane Robinson and Jenny Brandon
who stole the show when she sold all her
paintings on the opening night to two
private collectors based in Amsterdam.
www.wlv.ac.uk/artanddesign

5 STUDENT FOCUS
Kuhn Rikon
Knife Project
John Margetts, Managing Director of Kuhn Rikon, approached
the School of Art and Design to discuss the possibilities of
a live project working with the company and the School’s
Product Design and Interior Design students.
A brief was set to design a new knife to complement their existing
product range before Christmas 2008. The project was built into
the level 3 module ‘Design for live projects and competitions’ and
ran from October 2008 to the end of November 2008.
Students gave a presentation to John Margetts on 26th November
when seven students’ work was shortlisted and highly commended.
These shortlisted students received detailed feedback on their designs.
John returned to the School on 9th December 2008 to decide on the
winning design. He was so impressed with the work that he decided
to give out two awards The shortlisted students were: Andrew Price,
Helen McDonald, Jon Kuiter, Natasha Nicolau and Audrey Wong
The two winning students were:
Ross Enefer and Karl Casson-Lavender.
The selected work by Ross and Karl included all design visualisations,
prototypes and all manufacturing documentation. These have been
submitted to Kuhn Rikon and will go into production this year.
For more information on Kuhn Rikon visit: www.kuhnrikon.co.uk
Argh It’s a
Disabled Person!
William Beard, Matvejs Terentjevs, Lambros
Panayi and David Shakespeare Level 2, Video
and Film Production students have created
a short film “Argh It’s a Disabled Person!”
as part of their studies on the module
Empowering and Enabling with Film &
Video. The film successfully provides
a platform for Dr Paul Darke and Mat Fraser,
the primary subject of the film, who is trying
to inspire a new generation of disabled
people to build their careers in the arts and
in particular theatre. Mat Fraser (born 1962)
is a rock musician, actor and performance
artist. Fraser was born with phocomelia of
both arms due to his mother being prescribed
thalidomide during her pregnancy. He was
a member of the performance art group,
The DHSS, in the early 1990s. Dr Darke is an
internationally respected academic, writer
and cultural critic who has written and created
extensively around the issue of identity and
culture. He is also the originator of Normality
Theory. The film includes interviews with Mat
and Dr Paul Darke, and Mat on stage (to us
in more than one way the most inspiring part),
and it’s now on YouTube at: www.youtube.
com/watch?v=fj0Wr2RC9JE.
Deadly Graphics
Graphic Communication students Paul and Keiron set up
Deadly Graphics in November of last year using funding from
the SPEED initiative. Based at the Science Park, the duo specialise
in computer based graphical outputs for a growing client base.
Paul Power says: “The SPEED program were very helpful as they
organised an accountant for our company. He helped us to incorporate
our company, which we did at the start of November, and since then we
have been trading commercially. SPEED were also very kind in putting
us in contact with a local design company (Début) from whom we have
been receiving mentoring. This has been a huge
influence on us and as a result, we have become
more confident in ourselves and our company.”
Jeff Leak, Course Leader for Graphic Communication
said, “Congratulations to both Paul and Keiron.
It’s great to see them developing and using the
understanding and skills learned in Graphic
Communication modules.”
View the website: www.deadlygraphics.co.uk
www.wlv.ac.uk/artanddesign

STUDENT FOCUS
6
India Trip
Students from the School of Art and Design went on a study visit to India in January 2009. The event was
partially funded through the UK Prime Minister’s Office using PMI2 funding. The fund is designed to establish
long lasting links with overseas partners in education, industry and culture. The visit was hopefully the first
of many by University of Wolverhampton students who in the future will have the opportunity to work with
Indian companies, experience some of the indigenous arts and crafts of India or spend time in educational
exchange programmes with our University partners in India.
Students were initially hosted by the National Institute
for Fashion Technology in Kolkata, where they were
treated to a series of lectures and daily trips to museums
and cultural landmarks of the Kolkata Bengal region.
Students visited the famous Jute Village of Fulia and
witnessed how many of the traditional techniques of
Indian textile design were produced.
They were also invited to lunch at the British Council in
Kolkata, where they gathered information for future trips.
Students spent a night in Shantiniketan, West Bengal,
a university town and centre of learning established in
1901 by Nobel Prize winner, Rabindranath Tagore.
The Vishva-Bharati University represents Indian traditions
while incorporating the best of other cultures. They
also visited Kala Bhavan, the College of Fine Arts &
Crafts, observing a wonderful environment in which
to create textiles, ceramics, fine art, sculpture and
print making. Students on future trips will be able
to spend a short study period working at the college.
During the trip to Shantiniketan the students visited a
tribal village and spent the evening sharing music and
dance with the villagers, having a wonderful time and
experiencing a once-in-a-life time opportunity!
Students also visited the Amar Kutir Society for Rural
Development. This organisation agreed to offer future
students the opportunity to work with the villagers,
developing craft products in leather, textiles and jewellery.
Before leaving Kolkata, the students visited the Green
Wave Centre for Visual Arts, a small art school for local
children from poor families. The centre is also an artist’s
studio in glass and enamel work. The owners and artists,
Pulak and Tandra, made everyone very welcome and
illustrated how artistic, rewarding and creative working
as an artist in India can be. Tandra has also offered
student placements at her School and workshop.
The students spent the later part of the trip in Delhi,
experiencing the sights and sounds of one of the major
cities in India. Tthe Nirula Handicrafts Bazaar and other
street traders provided many hours of shopping heaven.
Here, links were forged with weavers, carpet makers,
embroidery specialists and jewellery designers with
whom we hope to collaborate on future trips.
In Delhi, the students were hosted by the Apeejay
Institute of Design, founded by Dr Stya Paul, the
brother of our own University Chancellor, Lord Paul.
A variety of workshops took place throughout the day
in fashion, textiles, print making and 3D design. In the
evening the students were invited to the British Council,
and presentations were given illustrating the opportunities
and support the Council can provide for students wishing
to study or work across India.
The trip concluded on a high with a visit to Agra.
The sight of the Taj Mahal and the Red Fort was
privilege enough, but actually walking through and
seeing the full magnificence of these wonders provided
one of those memorable experiences that all those who
were lucky enough to be there will remember for the
rest of our lives.
Pat Dillon,
Divisional Leader, Design and Applied Arts
www.wlv.ac.uk/artanddesign

7
CREATIVE EMPLOYABILITY
| Creative Employability
The Creative Studio is the focus for
employability in the School of Art and Design.
Live Brief
Walsall-based First Steps Babywear is a company that designs
and produces infant clothing for high street and supermarket
retailers. Level 3 Illustration students are currently working on
a brief to design characters that could feature on a range of baby
items. The students have learnt how design stories are created
using pattern repetition and the company have offered to buy
any designs that can be used on their clothes.
Level 3 Graphic Communication students have had the
opportunity to work on a brand for a new business start-up
that will import tropical fruit from Africa. Design agency Rawww
from Coventry have written a brief for them to create a new
mascot for The Beacon Centre for the Blind, and Powercell,
a battery manufacturer from Wolverhampton, has given them
the opportunity to re-design their packaging.
Active Volunteers are a unit within the University of
Wolverhampton which recruits volunteers from the student
population and places them with hosts. Volunteering has
now become accredited and this year will see the launch
of the Active Volunteer of the Year award sponsored by
The Midland Counties Co-operative. Fine Art students
were commissioned to design a plaque and winner’s medals
to commemorate this award and the winning design, by
Georgina Shepherd, will now be cast in bronze.
The School of Sport, Performing Arts and Leisure were keen
to have a logo designed for their new Sport and Business
Committee that represents all of the sports departments from
universities within the West Midlands region. With only three
days to submit draft designs five speedy students got to work
and between them submitted more than twenty ideas. The winning
designer was Vivienne Wong a Level 3 Graphic Communication
student. Karen Bill, Associate Dean from the School of Sport,
Performing Arts & Leisure said, “It was great that we were able to
offer Art & Design students the opportunity to pitch for the work
to enhance their portfolios. We have ended up with a great design
and a very quick turnaround. The committee were very impressed
with how receptive and responsive the students were to the task.”
Work Placements
The Professional Placement (Sandwich) Year was introduced in September
2008 and over twenty students registered an interest in spending a year
in industry. They have been busy exploring the opportunities on offer
to undergraduates and some have been making their own. Two of our
Journalism and Editorial Design students have pursued many companies
in order to spend their year out in more than one place. Between them
they have secured placements in published and broadcast media and
public relations to ensure they get the broadest experience possible.
The Work Placement module was also new in September and for
semester 1 seven students completed short placements in schools,
galleries and even behind the camera for the filming of the ‘Britain’s
Got Talent’ auditions. This semester fifty one students have registered
for the module and the placements are as diverse as a luxury yacht
builder and a TV programme in Ireland!
Design Agency
comes back to
University
Wolverhampton-based Début,
whose team consists of University of
Wolverhampton graduates are returning
to the classroom to share their expertise
with designers of the future.
Steve Campbell and Marie Campbell
both graduated with a BA (Hons) in
Graphic Communication in 2002
and Glen Tapper, graduate of Leeds
University are preparing to talk to level
3 Graphic Communication students
about their experiences in the graphic
design industry.
Début have also recently taken on
Graphic Communication graduate
Sean Bird for a ten-week placement
through the Knowledge Innovation
Technology Transfer Scheme (KITTS).
Visit the Début website:
http://www.debutcreate.com
www.wlv.ac.uk/artanddesign
[ Images: Steve Campbell, Marie Campbell
and Glen Tapper from Début, with KITTS
graduate Sean Bird.]

[
Black
The opportunity to work with
these companies is invaluable.
If you feel you have an interesting brief
that could offer students the chance
to work on something real, and have
enough time for it to be built into
a learning framework, the Creative
Studio would like to hear from you.
CREATIVE EMPLOYABILITY
Are you a creative company, a company which employs creative
people or perhaps a company who needs some creativity?
If you are interested in hosting a student work placement then we would like to hear from you.
Professional placements run for a minimum of 30 weeks (although more than one placement
can be used to achieve this) and we encourage companies to pay students for this work. Module
placements run for between 1-2 weeks and are unpaid.
Country
Creative Partnerships
Many artists and designers have mixed income streams, pursuing
their practice as well as artistic activities for community-based
arts programmes. Breaking into this field is particularly difficult
as commissioners rarely interview artists who have no experience
in the planning and delivery of these projects.
Creative Partnerships is the Government’s flagship creative learning
programme for schools which works regionally with creative agents
and creative practitioners to deliver them. Black Country Creative
Partnerships has teamed up with the School of Art and Design to
offer students who are interested in community-based arts projects
the chance to gain some project experience. Seven students from
ceramics, textiles and fine art have joined this pilot and are currently
shadowing practitioners in primary and secondary schools within
the region. For more information on Creative Partnerships visit:
www.creative-partnerships.com.
8
Graphics Success
in KITTS Placement
Often small and medium sized companies have no
shortage of ideas but are frustrated by a lack of
resources to turn ideas into reality, whereas graduates
often need the opportunity of real work experience
to enhance their future employment prospects.
KITTS 12 week placements aim to match the skills
of qualified graduates with the specific needs of West
Midlands based small and medium sized enterprises
by giving graduates the opportunity to put theory
into practice through a work-based project in industry.
Wolverhampton Art Gallery and the School of Art
and Design, Graphic Communication team have been
working together to find a graduate to work within the
Art Gallery as graphic design assistants.
After a tough competition, recent graphics graduate,
Ken Hughes, has been appointed.
“I have been really impressed with the extremely high
calibre of candidates and portfolios presented,” says
Zoe Papiernick of Wolverhampton Art Gallery.
“It has been a great opportunity to work so closely
with the School of Art and Design. I’m sure Ken will
find his KITTS placement at the Gallery to be a valuable
experience and we all look forward to working with
him. Congratulations Ken!” she concludes.
LLN Employability Website
The Creative Studio has been working on a project in conjunction
with Staffordshire University to create an employability website for
students who are looking to work in the creative industries. Funded by
the LLN (Lifelong Learning Network Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent,
Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin) the new website called Engaging
with Creative Employability is close to going live. A combination
of information on what employability is and how to become more
employable, it will offer browsers the opportunity to link to a vast
resource of sites relevant to the creative industries. The site is aimed
at potential and existing creative learners who want to know more
about where graduates work and employers who want to engage
with the employability process.
The process of completing this project has been an example of
creative employability in its own right. Written by the Creative Studio
the site has been designed and built by one of our own Animation
graduates Kacper Lebiedziewicz and the image produced by level
1 Photography student Lukasz Gajdek.
Graduate Recruitment
The Creative Studio has permanent displays to advertise
job opportunities to our students. If you have a job you
would like to publicise please contact: Hilary Price, The
Creative Studio, Room MK307 3rd Floor of the School
of Art & Design. T: 00 44 (0) 1902 322433 or email:
H.Price@wlv.ac.uk
www.wlv.ac.uk/artanddesign

9
CREATIVE EMPLOYABILITY
Employability Live
[ Images: By Louise Buglass.]
Interview with Louise Buglass who is currently studying
Illustration. Louise is a level 2 Deaf student who loves
writing and is keen to develop her knowledge of journalism.
In order to get some practical experience of publishing and
to see if journalism is the career path she would like to pursue
after graduating, Louise has recently spent a week with the Road
Safety Team at Sandwell Council who produce the young drivers
magazine ‘Rev’. We asked Louise about her experience and also
caught up with John Billington from Sandwell to find out how
they felt the placement had gone.
What made you decide to try some
work experience?
I wanted a taste of real journalism, to find out what is
expected and prepare for my journalism module. I
also had to be confident that it was the right direction
for my writing ambition.
How did you find a suitable work
placement host?
I went to the Creative Studio for some advice and got
an introduction to the Sandwell Road Safety Team.
Rather than select the Work Placement
Module you chose to go on work experience
between semesters - how did that work?
I wanted to study all of the modules within my own
discipline, but wanted some work experience as well.
The only way was to go out between semesters. I didn’t
want to miss out on the opportunity of making the most
of my studies and preferred to consider a formal work
placement in my 3rd year.
What did you do on placement and did
you enjoy the experience?
I was given lots of interesting tasks including producing
articles on a variety of topics, editing written works and
learning to use Quark Express where I experimented
with layout design. I felt like Lois Lane! I also had the
opportunity to do some illustrations for the magazine.
The experience was rewarding and the staff were very
welcoming. Having thoroughly enjoyed it I have realised
that I am, after all, going in the right direction. Plus, being
constantly served hot drinks was a bonus!
Would you recommend it to your
fellow students?
Absolutely. Work experience gives you a clearer view
of what it’s like out there and something to work towards.
If I’d never gone on this work experience I wouldn’t be
sure of what to expect...!
Are you planning to go on any more
work experience during your course?
I have another work experience planned with a
difference magazine, but this time it won’t be about
cars! Every magazine requires a particular style of
writing, and I want to be able to alter my writing styles
to meet the needs of the reader. I also want to see
what it’s like to work in a different environment.
We asked John Billington how Louise
had got on.
Louise did a fantastic job whilst she was with us for the
week. The tasks she tackled included researching and
writing up a number of stories for our In the News
article, editing a feature on road rage from a rather
wordy sports psychologist and contributing to a
children’s comic we are producing.
Once we saw her illustrations we persuaded her to
produce illustrations in Photoshop for our young
driver’s magazine which were absolutely excellent.
Louise worked extremely hard and showed loads of
initiative. I think when you have anyone on a placement
you are always concerned that you’ll run out of things to
give them or they will not really understand your garbled
instructions. As it was, Louise didn’t need telling twice
and produced some really excellent work!
SPEED West Midlands
SPEED WM (Student Placements for Entrepreneurs in Education West Midlands) is an educational
programme that supports students to realise the potential of a good business idea.
In January this year 66 students from across the University pitched their business ideas to a panel
of academics and practitioners. Of the 33 projects funded 50% of them were from the School of
Art & Design, a huge achievement that recognises the entrepreneurial flair of our creative students.
www.wlv.ac.uk/artanddesign

STAFF FOCUS
10
| STAFF FOCUS
Painting the Blues
by Ben Kelly
Ben Kelly, Senior Lecturer for Illustration, opened a
new exhibition of his work at Manchester City’s award
winning museum. ‘Painting the Blues’ consists of thirty
paintings created by Ben, who is an avid Manchester
City football fan. The exhibition ran until the end of
March.
The series of paintings were created during a year-long
commission at Manchester City Football Club and
vividly capture the expectancy and excitement of going
to a football match, and the wide range of characters
that one often comes across on a match day around
a football ground.
“The body of work produced for this collaboration
with Manchester City captures single moments in
time, snap shots and narratives from match days at
the City of Manchester Stadium. This ranges from the
anticipation and romance of a light splashed evening
game, through to quiet reflections on a rain soaked
Manchester afternoon.” Said Ben
[ Images: Ben Kelly, Senior Lecturer for Illustration
at Manchester City Football Club and some of his work. ]
The Man Who
Never Was
exhibition by Dean Kelland
Dean Kelland, Senior Lecturer in
Photography at the School of Art
& Design, launched his latest exhibition
at the Wedge Gallery in Lichfield.
Along with teaching our Photography
students, Dean has been making artwork
for over ten years. Recent areas of interest
in his practice involve the production of
mixed media installations that deal with
mediated language and popular cultural
references. Visit: www.deankelland.com
This exhibition, as well as the recent project ‘My first
City Game’, an initiative to collate memories and
experiences of people’s first Manchester City match,
are both aimed at capturing the vivid colours and
impressions of what it means to be a Manchester City
supporter. Visitors were able to see a variety of images
ranging from supporters’ small and personal pre-match
rituals to a group of ‘invisible men’ having a drink
together on the concourses.
Ben says; “Manchester City allowed me to get close to
the match day action and it was this close proximity that
enabled me to study the fans in such detail and their
reactions to the highs and lows of a football game. I was
particularly interested in painting the rich detail of the
crowds and trying to portray the feeling of being part
of the great masses decked in sky blue”.
Three paintings from Ricky Hatton ‘Homecoming’
fight last May were also on display as part of the
exhibition as well as a slide show of Ben’s original
sketches drawn at the matches themselves. All pictures
are available to purchase. It is hoped a selection of
the paintings will go on show at the National Football
Museum after the exhibition at Manchester City.
www.wlv.ac.uk/artanddesign

11
STAFF FOCUS
Rewarding Excellence SAD
Lecturers from the School of Art & Design were nominated
by their peers for awards in teaching excellence.
Winners of the prize for Innovation in Learning and Teaching were Howard Read,
Senior Lecturer Illustration, Callum Ives, Lecturer Illustration, Ben Kelly, Senior
Lecturer Illustration, and Jon Rhodes, Senior Technician, Learner Support.
Their project pioneered the use of video critiques in the module Editorial Illustration.
This offers students the opportunity to view critical feedback online.
Winners for the prize for Blended Learning were Dr. Faramarz Amiri, Course Leader
Interactive Media, and Phil Nichols, Course Leader Video and Film Production who
developed blended learning materials and online facilities for Digital Media students.
Emily Mantell, Senior Lecturer Animation won the Early Practitioner prize for her use
of blended learning materials in her modules.
Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Geoff Hurd presented more than 50 staff with
certificates of achievement and a financial contribution to their staff development at
the annual Rewarding Excellence Awards Ceremony. Professor Geoff Hurd said: “The
Rewarding Excellence ceremony recognises all those who have made outstanding
contributions to teaching and student support at the University. They have all shown
the ability to influence students positively to help them achieve specific learning
objectives. I would like to congratulate all the award winners”.
| EVENTS LISTINGS
LIFE THROUGH A LENS
A new exhibition capturing the interesting art of pinhole
photography is open at the University of Wolverhampton.
The ‘Slow Light’ exhibition will be held at the School of
Art & Design from Wednesday, 18 March to Friday, 29
May 2009. The exhibition features images created by
photographer Justin Quinnell using six-month duration
exposures over Bristol. A pinhole camera will be set up
throughout the exhibition to offer an insight into the School
of Art & Design over the three months. Justin Quinnell lives
in Bristol. His pinhole photography has gained its reputation
through local and national exhibitions, the worldwide
web, lomography and through the pages of the British and
international photographic press. Pinhole photography is
lens free photography, and is a method of capturing images
using a simple light-tight box with a single pinhole in one
end. Images can be taken slowly over time and the process
involves being creative with the light from the sun.
Justin will also be giving a lecture to staff and students
and providing a workshop for first year students on the
BA (Hons) Photography course as part of the Alternative
and Experimental photography module.
Su Fahy, Divisional Leader - Fine Art and Photography
said: “Lo - fi Photography is interesting to students as it
offers a chance to experience the random effects of light
and experimental exposures, utilising no man made optics.
This idea of controlling light and creating images always
offers a fascination as it combines the handmade camera
and the operator but not the high end control and
technology of a camera. The world can be viewed from
a different perspective and the light of the sun, tracked
and time captured in a different visual form”.
The exhibition coincides with World Pinhole Day
(www.pinholeday.org) in April and will be posted
on the website.
www.wlv.ac.uk/artanddesign

EVENTS LISTINGS
12
Light House
Student
Photographic
Awards 2009
Light House Student Photographic Awards Exhibition
Friday 3 - Tuesday 28 April. Balcony Gallery, Light
House, Fryer St, Wolverhampton
From memorials to hoover dust, fashion and identity
to personal space, this diverse selection showcases the
talents of the University of Wolverhampton’s photography
students.
This is the first Student Photography Award and exhibition,
jointly organised by Light House and the photography team
of the University of Wolverhampton to bring together the
best in fine art, documentary and commercial photography.
Entrants are students from all three years of
the current undergraduate course.
your where
by Kathrin Böhm
Project by AHRC Research Fellow at Wolverhampton
Art Gallery, 9 May 09 - 26 May 09
Böhm is currently an AHRC Research Fellow at the School
of Art and Design, University of Wolverhampton. She is
also a member of the artist and architects collective public
works group.
Wolverhampton Art Gallery’s boundaries exist outside
of the walls of the building, with connections to other
organisations, community groups and individuals across
the city of Wolverhampton and beyond. ‘Your where’
invites visitors and guests to describe their links with the
gallery and to make a mark on a map.
By combining these contributions and marks over time,
it will illustrate the existence of the institution within a large
cultural and social network, and show Wolverhampton Art
Gallery as a construct across spaces and across formal and
informal relationships.
Final event: Tue 26 May, join the artist for a discussion
about her work. Visit: www.wolverhamptonart.org.uk/
exhibitions
[ pictured abovet: John Tift at the Light House Student Photographic
Awards Exhibition. right: Sid’s Faces by Natalie Poole ]
‘Sids Faces’ by Natalie Poole
Level 2 BA (Hons) Photography
Natalie has been photographing Sid, an
unconventional drag queen from Birmingham,
since September 2008. Each week, he creates
a new character for his role as the host of DV8
nightclub set in the heart of Birmingham’s Gay
Village. Natalie is interested in the concept of
representation. She aims to discover the different
ways in which one person can depict themselves,
exploring the notion of masquerade and identifying
inner and outer characteristics through the visual
arts. The images also reflect how masquerade can
exude an air of strength, confidence and power
within a person, allowing them to become
something more than they are in their everyday lives.
“As the photographer, on each occasion, I gave
Sid the opportunity to express himself as he
wished, interfering as little as possible so that
he could present himself to each performance,”
Natalie explains.
Natalie would like to thank Sid for his cooperation.
Sid’s Faces Friday 27 march - Friday 15 May.
Light House, Fryer St, Wolverhampton
www.wlv.ac.uk/artanddesign

13
EVENTS LISTINGS
CADRE (Centre for Art, Design, Research
and Experimentation) Lectures 2008-9
Glenn Adamson (V&A Museum)
Tuesday 19th May 2009, 6.00pm, MK045
Modern Craft: Directions and Displacements
After many years out in the cold, craft is a hot topic for art historians.
In this talk, Glenn Adamson will provide a brief survey of recent
scholarly work. By looking closely at three areas of contemporary
practice - DIY protest art, ceramic sculpture, and so-called “Design
Art” - he will also suggest where modern craft is heading next.
40
Y ears in the A&D building
The 40th Anniversary
of the School of Art
& Design building
will be celebrated
this year.
See the next edition
of Fresh for updates.
The Artists Gallery
This is a brand new, not for profit, private
gallery based in the central location of 2,
Lichfield Passage, Wolverhampton, and is
the brainchild of local Digital Artist, Loz Taylor,
who together with four other local multi media
artists, is seeing his dream become a reality.
One of the other members of this collective
is Level One Fine Art student, Sheridan Curtis,
the only student member of this collaboration.
About the gallery, Sheridan said: “Our main
aim is to be able to offer affordable, accessible
gallery space to local artists and students alike.
We have over 60 sq ft of exhibition space, split
over two levels. This is a very exciting time for
us, and hopefully the gallery will bring a new
energy to Wolverhampton’s art scene. (The
gallery was officially opened on Wednesday
8 April.)
Opening times are Wed - Sat, 10am - 4pm.
Further details can be obtained by calling
Sheridan on 07773-914240, or The Artists
Gallery direct on 07906460697.
Check out the gallery online at:
www.theartistsgallery.biz
Presswork’s present:
Relentless
An exhibition by Level 2 Fine Art Students
36-38 Berry Street, Wolverhampton. WV1
Private View: 28th April, 5pm to 9pm. (everyone welcome)
Exhibition dates: 29th April to 9th May 2009
Gallery Opening Times: 12pm to 4.30pm
For more information contact: relentless.arts@hotmail.com
Visit the Pressworks website: www.pressworks.info
Degree Shows 2009
Final years students will be exhibiting
their work in the School of Art & Design.
Private view:
Friday 5th June, 5.30 - 8.30 (by invitation only)
Public opening:
Monday 8th - Friday 12th, 9.00 - 5.00
Saturday 6th & 13th, 10.00 - 4.00
Next edition of Fesh will be the Degree Show edition
www.wlv.ac.uk/artanddesign

PROFESSOR EDWARD BIRD
14
Professor Edward Bird
24th September 1945 - 13th January 2009
Professor Edward Bird died suddenly in mid-January 2009, having taught at the
School of Art and Design Wolverhampton University for twenty years. Ed was one
of a generation of Art and Design specialists whose careers spanned the greatest changes
in the perception and delivery of his subject since its inception 150 years ago. Born and
educated in Leicester, Ed’s background was in Three Dimensional Art and Design. After
graduating from Loughborough College of Art and Design in Ceramics. He undertook
postgraduate study in Ceramic Design and Technology at North Staffordshire Polytechnic.
As a chartered Product Designer, Ed gained practical design and consultancy experience
in the ceramics industry before entering Art and Design Education, and worked in four
Schools of Art and Design - Lancaster, Shrewsbury, Salford and Huddersfield before
joining the staff of Wolverhampton Polytechnic in 1989.
The huge changes brought about by the Coldstream report in the mid 1960s saw Art and
Design change from a separate strand of the education system with its own qualifications
and free standing schools to a liberal honours degree subject embedded in institutions of
higher education. During his career Ed constantly evolved his approach to his subject and
at Wolverhampton he helped to shape its future.
When he first arrived at the Wolverhampton School of Art and Design in 1989 as
principal lecturer in Wood, Metals and Plastics, the School only offered undergraduate
level courses but was seeking to widen its portfolio. He progressed as Reader/Divisional
Leader in charge of Three Dimensional Design and Research and Postgraduate Studies,
and was instrumental in setting up the MA network and in establishing PhD level
projects. This laid the foundations of a genuine research culture within the School.
Despite his full-time duties he gained his PhD in 1992, the first member of staff in the
School to do so, and became Professor in Design Education in 2002. As an academic
Ed’s special interest was the History and Development of Art and Design Education
in Britain, with particular reference to the role of the Victorian Civil Servant Sir Henry
Cole, and in its establishment in the wake of the 1851 Exhibition at Crystal Palace.
The fact that University staff often do not live close to their institution means few saw
the other side of Ed. His life outside college centered around his Leicester-born wife and
art tutor, Sue, with their mutual love of their Lipizzaner horses and their unique equestrian
arts atelier.
Ed’s interests included fast cars and bikes like the Harley Davidson. You can tell much
about a man from his heroes and alongside Sir Henry Cole, they included Thomas
Telford, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, J.D. Mitchell the designer of the Spitfire, and
above all Sir Winston Churchill.
As a teacher Ed wore his learning lightly and students found him approachable and
supportive. He was particularly skilled at tutorial level and successfully supervised
a number of PhD students.
Ed had an endearing, sensitive nature and a good sense of humour, and his unique
experience and caring personality will be sorely missed by both staff and students
in the School.
Professor Keith Cummings
www.wlv.ac.uk/artanddesign

VISIT THE SCHOOL / CONTACT FRESH
CONTACT FRESH
For more information about contributing to
this magazine or to join our mailing list contact:
Qucie Green, Marketing Officer
telephone: 00 44 (1902) 321914
or email: qucie.green@wlv.ac.uk
Open Days are a great way of getting
a feel for the University and the
subject you want to study.
You can meet tutors, talk to fellow
students, and see our great facilities.
University Open Days:
Saturday 13th June 2009
Saturday 22nd August 2009
www.wlv.ac.uk/artanddesign
School of Art & Design Open Days:
The School of Art & Design holds a number of subject specific open
days throughout the year. These Open Days provide an opportunity
for prospective students and parents to visit the University, see our
facilities and find out more about our courses by talking to subject
tutors and academic staff.
If you and/or your students would like to see and hear more about the
School of Art & Design at the University of Wolverhampton please call
to arrange a visit on 01902 321914 or email: qucie.green@wlv.ac.uk
We can arrange tours of the facilities, tutor-led
workshops and wider tours of the University.
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