51Âþ»­

Determined 51Âþ»­ Leicester (51Âþ»­) staff have ensured art and design students will benefit from a physical degree show ahead of graduating this summer.

After the pandemic forced the show online last year, tutors and technicians have worked tirelessly to coordinate a Covid-compliant showcase taking place in 51Âþ»­’s award-winning Vijay Patel Building from Thursday 1 to Friday 9 July.

Spectacular work by final-year students and 2020 graduates from across art, design, architecture, fashion and textiles, will gain valuable exposure to industry professionals during an exclusive viewing, potential employers and the public.

Traditionally one of Leicester's biggest exhibitions, this year’s 51Âþ»­ Art and Design Degree Show celebrates the remarkable resilience students and graduates have shown during a global pandemic.

It’s complemented by a dedicated website containing individuals’ portfolios, an featuring student takeovers and a ‘one year on’ exhibition in 51Âþ»­’s ‘shopfront’ gallery.

Students are also invited to join a series of livestreams throughout the show, to hear from and pose questions to leading industry experts, as well as successful 51Âþ»­ alumni.

Among those showcasing their work is Textile Design student Gabriella Huck, whose work addresses the need arising from the pandemic for homes to become more flexible and multifunctional spaces.

Inspired by visits to botanical gardens and combining neutral colours with pops of orange, her textile designs can be applied to a range of home interiors such as upholstery, curtains and soft furnishings.

The 27-year-old from Rugby in Warwickshire said: “While I’m grateful for all of the practical experience I’ve gained on my degree, limited campus access in the last year meant I completed this project digitally, which was actually a lot more sustainable. I feel it’s been really good preparation for my career as the industry seems to be moving in this direction too.”

Architecture MArch student Ben Harrell is sharing a project which addresses the effects that climate change will have on Fairbourne - a village on the Western Welsh coast - where rising sea levels could lead to its decommissioning and displacement of residents.

Ben’s project is set 80 years in the future, where his split layer design allows the villagers to survive and thrive among the flooding marsh by embracing the changing tidal landscape.

“The degree show is a really good way to sum up our year. Typically, we print our work out as we go along, but I’ve only seen this project on screen, so I appreciate the opportunity to see it physically on display. It will finally make it feel real,” said the 23-year-old from Ware.

An abstract exploration of time is the focus of Fine Art student Laura Holmes’ work, which is part of a bigger installation at Leicester’s Two Queens gallery. The panels on display at 51Âþ»­ are acrylic paint and chalk on canvas.

The 21-year-old from Norwich said: “I’ve tried to create a physical form of time by drawing parallels between the passing of time and the process of painting. Each brushstroke distorts the previous one, just like new moments distort ones in the past.”

Inspired by Scandinavian aesthetics and the term ‘hygge’ – a word for a mood of cosiness and contentment - Interior Design student Valentina Mazzilli has created an inviting café and food vendor space to encourage people to return to the high street post-pandemic.

Designed to alleviate any feelings of anxiety associated with returning to ‘normal’ life, Valentina’s space incorporates warm colours and a clever canopy to mimic dappled sunlight on the ground.

The 21-year-old from Lowestoft said: “The chance to show our hard work to the people we care about will be really memorable and meaningful. Having a physical degree show is a lovely way to wrap up this disjointed year.”

Footwear Design student Mabel Gocher is showcasing a women’s collection which draws on people’s limited ability to communicate using body language during the pandemic, due to barriers such a wearing a mask and working virtually.

Mabel has developed an alphabet consisting of symbols for 26 different emotions, which she has incorporated within the style lines of her designs, creating commercial footwear with a conceptual and artistic background.

The 22-year-old from Southampton said: “There’s no doubt that it’s been a challenging year for everyone, but my peers and I are so grateful to have a degree show. The opportunity for employers to come in and see our work is phenomenal.

“It just highlights all of the work that goes on behind the scenes, and for me personally, it’s a great chance to showcase my work at a time when physical showcasing is more difficult.”