Young artists debut at Aspex Gallery

Does making things make us human? This question will be explored at an exhibition of young artists’ work opening at the Aspex Gallery this Saturday.

The exhibition is part of New Creatives, a collaboration between the University of Portsmouth, Aspex Gallery and seven local colleges. It will include visual art, photography, 3D sculpture and installation, animation and film, graphics and sound.

Artwork by Zoe Radcliffe, art and design student at South Downs College

Young people aged 16–18 from local further education and sixth form colleges have been working with commissioned artists Chris Jenkins, Oliver Merkin and Eileen White to produce work for the exhibition. University of Portsmouth students have acted as ‘buddies’ to the three artists, giving them professional practice to enrich their CVs.

Artist Eileen White said: “I was really impressed by the depth of research, commitment and level of skill demonstrated by all of the students who have committed extra time and effort to this project.”

Now in its fourth year, New Creatives gives young people a chance to exhibit their work at Aspex, an Arts Council England National Portfolio gallery in Gunwharf Quays, which is normally home to the work of professional artists. The college students are also invited to help curate the exhibition and get free membership of Aspex.

Denise Callender, Promotions Manager for the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries at the university and the exhibition’s curator, said: “I’m really excited to see what work the students have come up with in response to this year’s theme. I’m always impressed by the enthusiasm and talent they display.”

The exhibition work is produced by students studying creative courses at Chichester, Havant, Highbury, Fareham, Portsmouth, South Downs and St Vincent colleges. The exhibition will also feature the artistic response to working on the project by the university student buddies.

Lauren Scott-Smith, a final-year illustration student and one of the student buddies, said: “I particularly enjoyed seeing the project through, from developing ideas to curating the work at Aspex Gallery. I was able to learn about the artist’s working practice and gain a lot of knowledge from her experiences as a professional artist.”

The project is designed to generate relationships, collaborations and a legacy of creative partnerships between the University of Portsmouth and colleges and organisations in the city of Portsmouth and surrounding region. With 140 students taking part each year, over the last four years 500 young artists have exhibited their artwork through the project.

There will be a preview launch on Friday March 8, 6–8pm, which will include a short speech and the chance to see the pieces before the exhibition officially opens on Saturday.

The exhibition is open from March 9 to April 14 2013, 11am–4pm daily, at the Aspex, Vulcan Building, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth PO1 3BF. The launch event and exhibition are both free to attend.