Staff and students from the University of Portsmouth teamed up with local business Anglepoise to raise £400 for Portsmouth Foodbank.
Staff and students from the University of Portsmouth teamed up with local business Anglepoise to raise £400 for Portsmouth Foodbank.
The BA (Hons) Illustration students created artwork that was sold at The Round Tower, at the entrance to Portsmouth harbour. The sale of prints took place at the same time as Anglepoise’s pop up sale of returned or ‘less than perfect’ lights, with profits going to the Portsmouth Foodbank.
Five students were selected by course leader Dr Louis Netter and Claire Sambrook, Senior Lecturer and co-founder of Ankle Deep, an experimental studio in Portsmouth Dockyard which enables industry and practitioners to work on live projects collaboratively with creative students.
The students (Luke Johnson, Elise Costain, Alienor Divis, Jada Sinclair and Pijus Grigatis) were given a brief to interpret the abstract notion: ‘Abandon Darkness’ and make screen printed A3 posters.
I knew that Anglepoise did not want any lamps in the imagery, and therefore encouraged a broader interpretation of the brief. In my experience as a professional and lecturer, the best work comes from a truly personal interpretation, using the aesthetic and conceptual interests the student already exhibits.
Dr Netter said of his approach to the project: “I knew that Anglepoise did not want any lamps in the imagery, and therefore encouraged a broader interpretation of the brief. In my experience as a professional and lecturer, the best work comes from a truly personal interpretation, using the aesthetic and conceptual interests the student already exhibits.
“The posters reflected this diversity of interpretation and content and presented a compelling snapshot of the strength of the BA (Hons) Illustration course and the importance of collaborating with local business on live briefs. Ankle Deep is a valuable and important collaborator, as these connections to local business and the public are essential for the integration of the University into the community at large."
Anglepoise art show
We try to make student engagement a regular part of our community outreach at Anglepoise and it was wonderful to work with our local university again, supported by Ankle Deep on this project.
Simon Terry of Anglepoise said: “We try to make student engagement a regular part of our community outreach at Anglepoise and it was wonderful to work with our local university again, supported by Ankle Deep on this project. By adding this project to our charity sale, it also meant we engaged another important local organisation - the Portsmouth Foodbank - and helped to raise even more awareness of a charity that needs our support right now, more than ever.”
Claire Sambrook added: “It’s vital that we engage and collaborate with our communities and businesses in the city. This project helped not only to promote the work of talented students but supported local charities as well.”
This is the second Portsmouth-based pop-up sale for Anglepoise in recent years, which is a way for the business to sell returned lamps, a second chance to buy at greatly reduced prices and, vitally, reduce waste.