Degree Graduate Exhibitions 2023
31st May, 2023
Our Third Year Degree Students will be showcasing their exciting Final Major Projects in an exhibition at Hampton Court Palace.
The exhibition will run on 8, 9, 13, 14 and 16 June, with visiting times at 11am and 2pm. The Graduates will be on hand to discuss their projects and to inspire the next generation of hand embroiderers.
To celebrate all they have achieved, read on to meet some of the 2023 Graduates behind the beautiful work, and the inspiration and story behind their final Major Projects.
Chloe Angrave, ‘Oceanic Decay’
RSN Degree Graduate 2023, Chloe Angrave is a textile embroiderer.
Chloe’s Final Major Project entitled ‘Oceanic Decay’ examines her fascination with sea life. She believes it is important that the fashion industry becomes more sustainable.
“This piece aims to bring awareness to global warming in a sustainable, nuanced way by using new and old materials to create a luxurious bespoke garment.”
Chloe Rogers, ‘Purifying Graffiti’
Chloe’s Final Major Project, titled ‘Purifying Graffiti’, explores her personal relationship with her urban life origins blended with a societal connection with an overarching environmental issue to create an artistic intervention.
“My collection displays graphic embroidered text including referencing the European Green Capital, an award that Bristol, my place of inspiration and innovation, gained recognition for in 2015 in celebration of its ambitious sustainable action.”
Emily Barnett, ‘The Chawton House Project’
Emily’s work explores her connection with Chawton House. She became an assistant in the tearoom at the age of eighteen and spent her tea breaks exploring and photographing the extensive grounds.
“In this piece, the central panel celebrates The Rose Garden, combining the ‘Pride and Prejudice’ roses from the Rose Walk, details from the ornate garden gates and text from the title page of Elizabeth Blackwell’s ‘A Curious Herbal’ (1735)”.
Jenna Riddell, ‘Waste to Art’
Hand embroiderer Jenna Riddell’s purpose is to create conversation about climate change and consumerism through embroidered protest placards.
“The context for my work is a fine art textile collection that consists of multiple embroidered placards using waste as my only material. My work is to be seen in exhibition spaces and galleries but primarily in urban protest settings.”
Kirsty Farrar, ‘A Lost Expression’
‘A Lost Expression’ – explores the idea of articulating personal mental health through a process which was not previously consciously linked.
“Within my work, I have examined my own emotions and thoughts constructed from my mental health. Mental health is an underlying subject within ‘a lost expression’ and was chosen due to a want and a need to create a body of work which was highly personal.”
Lizzie Gray, ‘Inside and Out’
‘Inside and Out’ is a series of five embroidered neck pieces exploring the human body. These pieces focus on selected anatomical imagery; the hands, heart, eyes, veins, and teeth which Lizzie has chosen for their diversity in colour and texture.
“I want to celebrate the beauty of anatomy, while reimagining various elements using embroidery.”
Tomas Asmelash, ‘Snowdrops’
Tomas’ most recent piece has been inspired from his faith and culture. He uses traditional hand embroidery techniques, learnt during his time studying at the RSN.
“My aim is to introduce my own religion, culture, and homeland of Eritrea to the viewer by bringing the aesthetic and traditions of the church and the wedding ceremony into my work.”
The exhibition will run on 8,9,13, 14 and 16 June, with visiting times at 11am and 2pm.
The exhibition is free of charge to visit, but you must pre-book your place.
