The Big Show

The University of Derby's degree show "The Big Show" 2015 showcases creative innovation across "the strata of art and engineering". With work including visual art, textiles, photography, architecture, and creative expressive therapies (to name but a few) the exhibition certainly lives up to its name...

Being a textile design graduate naturally my interest was focused on the work of the students graduating from the BA and MA Textile Design courses.

I was struck by the focus on presentation, with many students moving away from the usual covering of stools and chairs. Mariana Pavlovic's printed scarves (right) were draped over carefully constructed bird cages.

Another print student created a cohesive presentation by displaying her brush stroke fabrics alongside paint brushes and tumbling from paint cans.

I particularly liked Lauren Vernon's presentation: knitted fabrics were neatly packed in identical cut out boxes (below). This allowed her to display lots of fabrics, whilst maintaining a tidy, eye catching display.

Having specialised in machine knitting during my degree, I can't help but be drawn to an interesting knit. Rachel Hogg's 3D chevron knits (below) were an immediate attention grabber. Hogg's repetitive pattern and colour palette were inspired by "natural forms, such as coral and markings of animals and sea life, as well as from art and architecture".

Visit Hogg's blog for a more in-depth look at the collection: designhogg.blogspot.co.uk

Dawn Jackson's devore knitted fabrics (below) were inspired by artist Kandinsky, and were knitted from 100% lambswool and cotton. Many of Jackson's fabrics were embellished with fringing and mini pompoms, and presented in hoops of varying sizes.

More photos of the collection can be seen on Jackson's website: houseofknit.com

  

"The Big Show" is open to the public at Britannia Mill until Saturday 13th June.

Have you been to the exhibition? Whose work caught your eye?

Image credits:

All photos are mine, apart from...
Rachel Hogg, right photo: designhogg.blogspot.co.uk
Dawn Jackson, right photo: houseofknit.com

Until next week...

-Karen