Aug 2014 Clare Robertson Dr Jennie Jewitt-Harris Forging a brand from the ancient From doctor to fine artist: 10 craft of blacksmithing combining two unlikely disciplines Gareth Edwards Morris Keyonzo The Hollywood director on his latest Documenting Kenya’s slums blockbuster, Godzilla

CREATIVE UPDATE University for the Creative Arts Alumni Magazine

University for the Creative Arts Alumni Magazine 02 Contents Welcome 03

Latest News 04

Clare Robertson 08 MissFire Forges Success

Gareth Edwards 12 Unleashing Godzilla

Tola Mohiki 16 Insights Of An Intern UCA Alumni Team Graphic Design & Welcome to Art Direction by UCA Akram Fahmi 18 Angela Chadwick alumni She Was Only Building Luxury Head of Corporate www.shewasonly.co.uk Issue Ten Communications Jamie Sims 22 Emily Cooper Printed by Asendia. Howling Hit Alumni Relations Welcome to issue 10 of Creative Update, the magazine of Thara Sukumaran Cover photo by Morris Keyonzo 26 the University for the Creative Arts Alumni Association. Database Officer MissFire Kenya In Focus According to recent figures published by the Department Carys Waters for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), employment within Press & PR Officer Ian Pons-Jewell 30 the UK Creative Industries sector has increased five times Tim Pilgrim Setting The Scene faster than the national average. This powerful force driving Press & PR Officer economic growth makes it an exciting time to be a creative James & Carrie Saunders 32 arts graduate. UCA is always striving to support its students [email protected] Home Is Where The Art Is and alumni, and is proud that the institution has risen 33 places in the Complete University Guide league table over www.ucreative.ac.uk Jonathan Ramalho 36 the last two years. Hong Kong The UCA community is going from strength to strength, and the Alumni Association is growing, with now nearly Laura Nailor 40 35,000 members cross the world. The Cat That Got The Screen In this edition, we highlight some of the extraordinary success of our alumni as they make their mark and conquer Dr Jennie Jewitt-Harris 42 the creative industries. It’s been a bumper couple of months The Art Of Medicine as we have seen Gareth Edwards’ success with ‘Godzilla’ topping box office charts, celebrated UCA’s Chancellor Reconnect at Rochester 45 Zandra Rhodes receiving the title of Dame in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, had eight students and graduates win David Haste 46 at the Goldsmiths’ Crafts & Design Awards, and applauded Stass Paraskos our largest ever cohort of students graduating at the Royal Festival Hall in London. Creative Spotlight 50 It’s fantastic to be able to recognise and support our alumni’s achievements and we are grateful to all those who have helped contribute to this issue of Creative Update. Above We hope that you like the new and improved look of the Jonathan and Oliver magazine, and if you have some exciting updates or stories at Shek ‘O Beach that you would like to be featured in a future edition, then please do get in touch. Right Still from ‘Howl’ The UCA Alumni Team by Jamie Sims [email protected] 04 News News 05

UCA storms Goldsmiths'

Interior Architecture Craft & Design graduates win Another Design International Award Awards 2014

At this year’s graduation ceremonies, Interior Architecture UCA students picked up a wealth of alumnus Pal Pang presented the awards at this year's Goldsmiths' Craft & Another Design International Design Awards, held at Goldsmiths Hall. Stuck between Award and runner-up prize to two graduating BA (Hons) Eight prizes were awarded to students, with Interior Architecture & another two being commended, and four Iraq and a Hard Place Design students Isa Gustafsson prizes were awarded to recent graduates, (pictured left) and Anna Houston with a further five commended. Crafts (pictured centre). Pal, originally tutor, Lynne Maclachlan, also received an plant, and she developed the ‘Reversible Recent BA (Hons) Glass graduate Naomi creating anti-war signs, followed by a from Hong Kong, graduated from award for Production Jewellery. Drinking Set’ idea from research into Symmonds’ degree has been a kind of piece inspired by conspiracy theories and UCA in 2001 and now runs his The annual event, recognised as the historic glass and patterns created within therapy for her after the tragic death of her consumerism. As a culmination of her own design consultancy, Another "Oscars of the industry" in Craft and water. To create the pieces, Kyosun fitted brother Chris, who died whilst serving in journey, she then developed the idea for Design International. Design, was hosted by ex-BBC presenter together several separate layers of silver the army in Iraq in 2003. She has created her final piece. Pal decided he wanted to Kay Alexander and supported by a number then manipulated a number of wires her final piece titled ‘Stuck between Iraq ‘Stuck between Iraq and a Hard Place’ contribute something to inspire of trade companies and associations. precisely so they could be soldered on. She and a Hard Place’ to commemorate all the consists of a 2 metre by 1.6 metre concrete the next generation of designers. Three final year students hailing then provided extra texture with pattern lives lost in the Iraq War. wall, representative of the blast walls that "I received an award myself when I from BA (Hons) Silversmithing between each wire. divide Baghdad. One of the panels is glass was at UCA which helped to keep Goldsmithing & Jewellery at UCA Kyosun commented: "The awards “My work is a metaphor of the passion I with two distinct sides; one side is highly me motivated, so I was keen to Rochester secured eight awards between ceremony was an amazing evening and I feel about the inequalities and injustices polished and reflective, representing give something to the students them. Gemma Main received the College was very surprised to win! So many people that take place in the world, particularly the commemoration of western troops as they start their careers in the Silver Bullion Grant, Kanella Vlachou won came up and congratulated me. I was referencing the atrocities of war,” said and the respect they are associated with industry," said Pal. "Anna and Isa's an award for her Gallery Jewellery entry encouraged to enter the competition by Naomi. “I feel to highlight these atrocities after fighting for their country, and the designs were chosen based on ‘Headpiece, Human Blinkers’ and Kyosun tutors at UCA, and I'm so pleased I did as is necessary to ensure that the devastation other side is textured, broken and shot at, their creativity and timelessness. Jung (pictured right) won won six awards, it's been very rewarding." of the livelihood of innocent civilians is not representing the destruction of Iraq since The concepts captured a including a grant from the Goldsmiths' "We're extremely proud that UCA forgotten”. Naomi was 13 when her brother the war began. real sense of beauty, which is Company, the overall Junior Award for students had such huge successes at Chris died whilst defusing live-cluster “My work aims to represent a post- what I believe is our key role as her ‘Sake Set’ and The Podolsky Award for this year's Goldsmiths' Craft & Design bombs in a field in Iraq. modernist decline in values – a social- designers." The UCA alumnus her ‘Reversible Drinking Set’ and ‘Sake Set’ Awards, especially considering the large The Glass degree project briefs gave cultural shift in ideals,” said Naomi. has just set up a London office for (pictured above right). number of entries," said Grant McCaig, Naomi (pictured above) the freedom “Through my work, I wish to provoke his international award-winning Kyosun's ‘Sake Set’ design was inspired Silversmithing, Goldsmithing & Jewellery to explore areas of interest to her, polemic arguments and discussions about consultancy. by the shapes and structures on a bamboo lecturer. "Awards like this instill confidence unearthing an array of repressed emotions. topics which we appear to be desensitised in the winners but also help them raise Throughout the course she explored war to in western society.” their own profile as they embark on their further, looking into the legalities of war, careers as craft makers." 06 News News 07

BAFTA Haul for UCA Alumni UCA Climbs University Rankings

UCA has moved up 24 places in The Complete University Guide Sports 2015, making it the highest climber in the table. Vice-Chancellor Simon Photographer Ofield-Kerr said: “The increase recognises the longstanding real strengths of UCA and has been Sets her Sights delivered by both investing in our courses and facilities, as well as Dominic Mitchell (above right) and Mark optioned it, and they really championed it. ensuring a more level playing field Towns (above left), who both studied BA And here we are,” said Dominic. on Charitable across the sector when it comes (Hons) Film Production at UCA Farnham, Mark Towns meanwhile collected the to submitting the data on which picked up their awards at the BAFTA TV award for Best Editing – Factual for his league tables are based. This Craft Awards at The Brewery in the City of work on the Channel 4 fly-on-the-wall Exhibition result is a testament to the talent London in May. series ‘Educating Yorkshire’, which follows and dedication of UCA staff and the everyday lives of staff and students at a the extraordinary achievements of Dominic, who collected the BAFTA for Best Dewsbury School. Despite finding success within the fields London Fashion Week and the BBC. our students. Writer – Drama for his BBC 3 series ‘In The Mark, whose previous credits include of commercial and editorial photography, Combining her personal hobbies “New contemporary spaces, Flesh’, said in an interview with BAFTA: ‘The Apprentice’ and ‘Coppers’, told alumna Rebecca Andrews’ (pictured with professional endeavors, Rebecca like The Elaine Thomas Library “It was the first TV script I’d ever written, BAFTA: “It was an amazing show to work above right) current focus is a long-term now specialises in sports photography, at UCA Farnham, reflect our so just to get it made was just amazing, on. Originally I wasn’t actually going to exhibition in collaboration with the Kent and regularly undertakes exciting dedication to developing creative so this now is just incredible, it’s a dream work on it, but I came in to do five weeks Association for the Blind (KAB). projects for clients such as the Glasgow communities by providing our come true really.” assembling for them, but as I saw more and 2014 Commonwealth Games and the students with some of the best ‘In The Flesh’, which aired in March more, I thought, “I’ll put another job back,” The exhibition, which runs throughout International Weightlifting Federation. facilities designed specifically to 2013, is a reimagining of the ‘zombie- so ended up doing 10 or 12 weeks.” 2014, aims to challenge misconceptions As somewhat of a departure from produce great creative work.” apocalypse’ in which a teenage ‘rotter’ Talking about the editing process, about living with sight loss through a series bodybuilding events, sporting arenas and The Complete University is rehabilitated back into the local Mark said: “They had 50 cameras and they of black and white portraits, which highlight athletics tracks, Rebecca found the KAB Guide is designed to provide community following The Rising. were shooting for 30 days from seven in the diversity of the experiences and lives of project - an idea that she developed and University applicants with The show originally came after the morning until five at night. those who suffer from visual impairment. pitched herself - genuinely inspiring. accurate and independent Dominic took part in a BBC Writer’s Rooms “I was quite lucky because I came on Rebecca has a long-standing association She said: “It was a truly remarkable information on UK Universities, scheme, from which the resulting script mid-way through the process. They had with UCA, having completed two BA opportunity to meet such wonderful and the data for the rankings have was commissioned. the teacher, but they weren’t sure if they (Hons) degrees, and an MA in : people. I am very proud to be part of been derived from official sources. “They took a chance on me, they took could make a film out of him, so I was Artists’ Film, Video & Photography, at the something that is helping raise awareness UCA now sits at position 62 in the the chance on an idea. I hadn’t written given maybe about eight scenes to cut, and Maidstone campus. Since completing her for such a fantastic cause.” table of 123 UK Universities. anything for TV before, and then Hilary we thought, ‘yeah, there’s definitely a film studies, she has quickly made a name for Martin and Simon Judd, who are with in him,’ so it turned out to be very good.” herself as a freelance photographer, working To view Rebecca’s work, visit her website: BBC North, they took a chance on it, they on commissions for the likes of Mercedes UK, www.rebecca-andrews.co.uk 08 Feature Alumni Name 09

MissFire Forges Success

Clare Robertson Within the Clearwell Cave’s ancient iron mine Clare said: “Visits to Spain exposed me to the BA(Hons) in the Forest of Dean is a workshop where architectural work of Antoni Gaudi and Frank Three-Dimensional MissFire spends her days creating unique items Gehry and I just loved the impressive scale of Design: Metalwork in metal using traditional forging methods by Anthony Gormley and Louise and Jewellery, alongside more modern techniques. Bourgeois. It was soon clear that metal was the Farnham, 2004 direction that I wanted to take my life in.” MissFire is the creative brand of BA (Hons) In 2004, whilst studying at UCA Farnham, Three-Dimensional Design: Metalwork & Clare found her imagination was opened up Jewellery alumna Clare Robertson. She said: “I to the possibilities of manipulating metal. She was always more curious about metalwork than dedicated her time to “reading every book on glass or ceramics when looking through art and blacksmithing in the library.” craft books. I was intrigued to know how these Clare said: “A highlight of my time at things were made and was interested in the university was when The Worshipful Company potential of the metal which could be structural, of Pewterers ran a competition called Pewter practical and ornamental. It seemed so Live. It was an opportunity to change the versatile, resilient and enduring. I was excited to perceived image of pewter from dull tarnished think about making things bigger than me and tankards to bright, versatile and beautiful that would survive longer.” objects. I designed a therapeutic oil burner ‘Beachwood Bell’, 2010 10 Feature Clare Robertson 11

and was spotted by one of the judges, Geoff Kayson, owner of Alchemy Gothic; a company I had idolised since an early teen. He liked my design so much that he invited me up to his workshop in Leicester to design a gothic version which his company would manufacture and sell. This was such a huge boost to my confidence and a chance to experience the real world!” Clare found herself at a major turning point in her professional career when she designed and created a centerpiece for a show garden at Hampton Court Flower Show in 2007. She subsequently decided to break away from steady employment with an architectural metalwork company on the outskirts of London and took a leap of faith creating her own brand and her own business. Clare said: “It was so important to me to be working under my own name and pursuing the artistic and sculptural side of the craft so I just decided to take the plunge while still young and enthusiastic and passionate about what I do.” Six years later, with 10 years blacksmithing experience under her belt, MissFire has developed an impressive portfolio that consists of work that she has made for clients on commission and also more speculative art pieces that reflect her own style and taste; a mixture of art nouveau with a gothic twist. Clare’s inspiration for her work is found in the rural part of the country that she lives in. She said: “Mother Nature is an inexhaustible source of inspiration and I try to make my work organic and full of life.” Recent sculptures develop into chalk designs and the selection of Top left difficult whether you are male or female; we include an underwater scene of an otter metal bars. I then begin the process of cutting ‘Fish Supper’ all have our own limitations and tailor our chasing a school of fish through reeds entitled the metal to length, forging and forming it to Collaborative work to suit our strengths and weaknesses. As ‘School Dinners’, and also her largest piece to the required shapes and assembling it to create with woodcarver Peter an art form blacksmithing is a level playing date which required working alongside a local a final piece before being either polished, Walwin, 2011 field, we are hard-working, open-minded, primary school. The project involved creating painted or galvanised. My preference is and determined, and these qualities are not a tree featuring leaves, birds, spiders, frogs, always to retain the beautiful subtle textures Top right gender specific.” butterflies and flowers. Clare labels this as of the bare metal wherever possible. I try to Wall Sculpture made for Looking to the future, Clare aspires to have her proudest and most exciting achievement introduce colour to my work and have been Cooper’s Edge School, her own independent workshop with space for a to date and describes how she was invited using specialist paints to finish flower-themed Gloucester, 2013 MissFire gallery. back to the school after the tree had been sculptures to great effect.” completed, where the pupils sang her a song Being a female blacksmith has led to some Left To view MissFire’s portfolio and see her about the tree. mixed responses. She said: “You have to be ‘Celtic Rose’ upcoming exhibition dates, visit her website The ancient craft of blacksmithing is one thick-skinned and have a sense of humour centerpiece, 2011 at www.missfire.co.uk which many find both completely unfamiliar about it. I find it much easier now that I have and fascinating. Clare said: “The idea for a an impressive portfolio behind me and can piece is born from rough drawings, which then therefore prove my ability. Blacksmithing is 12 Feature Alumni Name 13 Gareth (middle) with Bryan Cranston and Gareth Edwards’ Aaron Taylor-Johnson Monster Movie Career

Unleashing Godzilla

At the bottom of page seven of the 1996 Gareth Edwards Farnham Film School graduation show BA (Hons) Film Production, programme sits an unassuming quote from a Farnham, 1996 young student filmmaker. “For the first time ever, digital technology is allowing film students to create virtually any image. Our aim is to show just what is possible with a relatively small amount of money and a little imagination.” It’s the kind of quote that you often see in a degree show programme, a few choice words from a student keen to express their final piece of work - their last hurrah to formal education. For some, the show is the end of the line; afterwards they drift off to do other things, often within the industry, occasionally not. But for others, like the young filmmaker behind ‘Arrivals’– the film to which that quote was attached – it’s the launch of an exceptional career, where showing ‘just what is possible’ is part of the job description. “Do you know what’s funny about that film?” reminisced Gareth Edwards, UCA alumnus and the director of ‘Arrivals’. “It was a monster movie!” 14 Feature Gareth Edwards 15

Left Gareth (right) with Ken Wantanabe

Right & Below Stills from ‘Godzilla’ Production images courtesy of Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures

work had made ‘Godzilla’ – which featured a cast and crew of hundreds and a reported budget of $150m – the hardest thing he’d ever done. Monster movies are very much Gareth’s in the business, so it was easy to hand over that “Dreaming of the film is a lot of fun – it’s thing. So much so, when Legendary Pictures baby to them.” where you can just close your eyes and imagine were looking for someone to take the reins for a Having listed Steven Spielberg’s ‘Jaws’ and everything you want to say. Showing the film is a reboot of the iconic monster movie ‘Godzilla’, he Ridley Scott’s ‘Alien’ among his influences, lot of fun. But the middle bit feels like war. was the only man they needed to ask. Gareth clearly defined his vision before “You do a small film, there’s five of you. He’d caught the attention of Legendary accepting the director’s chair. His ‘Godzilla’ was You enter this massive movie where there’s Picture’s Thomas Tull in 2010 with his aptly to be more suspenseful and serious than the 300 people, it makes a massive difference. You named flick ‘Monsters’, a shoe-string movie other 28 previous adaptations. drive onto set and you’re in a bubble. They drive for which he earned a BAFTA nomination and The original movie, released in Japan in you straight to the camera and you don’t meet widespread critical acclaim. 1954, was an allegory for the destruction caused anybody. All you speak to all day long is the To keep ‘Monsters’ costs down to the by the nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima assistant director, the cameraman and the actors. ‘relatively small amount’ of just $800,000, and Nagasaki, an act which ultimately led to You literally just know five people. The most Gareth had to take a do-it-yourself approach. Japanese surrender in World War Two. Gareth embarrassing thing is I go to wrap parties and I Not only did he write and direct the film, but he maintains that that was still the most serious of don’t know anybody.” created all of the visual effects in his bedroom the ‘Godzilla’ movies, and the one he wished to It’s all a long way from the 1996 graduation - a feat for which he was described as “David most closely emulate. show programme in which Gareth first laid down to the Goliath of the Hollywood special effects “Right at the beginning we sat down and his filmmaking plans. It’s a point he admits he’s industry” by film critic Mark Kermode. said, ‘what is this film about?’ I like to take still struggling to accept as he prepares to unleash By contrast, had Gareth attempted to render things seriously – The disaster [Godzilla] would his ‘Godzilla’ on the world, and in doing so, take the 960 visual effects for ‘Godzilla’ on his home be terrible, like the Second World War or worse. his place in the world of the Hollywood elite. computer, it would have taken 445 years – a task It would be an emotional, life-changing event “I never expected this to happen. It’s so too big even for him. and we wanted to show that. It’s most fun for surreal that if I think about it for too long I either “I kept saying, ‘can I just do one shot for old the audience to believe what they see and be start to get emotional or I start to get the shakes time’s sake?’ And they kept saying, ‘yeah yeah part of the world.” or something. I can’t process it.” yeah.’ But after the first week it was clear it was Setting the tone for the movie turned out to never going to happen, there just wasn’t time.” be the easy part however, with Gareth admitting ‘Godzilla’ was released in cinemas nationwide “But we had the best visual effects people that the step up from his previous low-budget on May 16 and is out on DVD on September 16. 16 Feature Tola Mohiki 17

Tola Mohiki Left Internships are perfect places for learning, BA (Hons) Fashion Tola, image courtesy making contacts and friends and showing your Design, Rochester, 2012 of People Tree skills and your potential. They’re also good for getting a real taste of the industry and perhaps Below right identifying things that you don’t want to do. Tola’s Handmade Portfolio My Future I am currently employed by the fashion charity FARA, who provide care services for disadvantaged children and families in Romania. We have just opened a shop where we make new clothes from donated fabrics and all profits go to the charity. I’ve been there almost from the beginning; I make clothes, design accessories, and will soon be teaching workshops. I’m living the dream. It makes me smile to think that I’m actually being paid to do something that I love, I feel a little bit guilty! In my spare time I’m working hard to develop a little brand of my own accessories and probably menswear too but I’m also trying Insights of to learn more about making lingerie as this is something that has inspired me for years. In a few years I would like to work for a big company like Reiss on the technical team, and an Intern I have strong ambitions to spend some time working in a tailoring house. I will be satisfied as long as I am doing what I love doing and in Fashion Design alumnus Tola Mohiki talks My Internship some way making the world a better place. to Creative Update about his time working After I graduated, I managed to get a six as an intern after graduating in 2012 and how month internship at People Tree Sustainable Want to read more from Tola? he is now pursuing a career in ethical and fair and Fair Trade Fashion label. An average day Visit his blog at tmohiki.tumblr.com trade fashion. as a garment tech intern involved pattern tracing and a lot of in-depth feedback and My UCA technical drawings for the producers. When My time at UCA really helped me to develop and a new sample came in I got to scrutinise taught me the value of craftsmanship as well as it and offer suggestions to improve the the importance of excellent equipment. Having garment. Towards the end of my time there now graduated and worked with various people I got involved in the menswear side of things in various locations I can now really appreciate and I was involved in some design meetings, how fantastic the facilities were at UCA. The vast choosing fabrics and colours, etc. Getting some printing spaces, the numerous looms and the of my designs for People Tree into production advanced photography department at Farnham felt amazing. I love knowing that people are in particular had a massive impact on me. wearing clothes that once started off just as Anybody that knows me now knows that I love a ideas in my mind. good pair of scissors or a high-tech machine. I’ve My biggest piece of advice to anyone just invested in a fancy new iron like the ones graduating this year is to keep working hard, that we had in the sewing rooms at Rochester. stay motivated, do not give up, push yourself More importantly however, my time at and always remember your roots and where you UCA has taught me the value of hard work, started from. Once you’re through the door, let dedication and commitment. your work do the talking. 18 Feature Akram Fahmi 19

Building

Luxury by Akram Fahmi

Akram Fahmi After studying for eight years at the UCA BA (Hons) Canterbury School of Architecture, Akram Architecture RIBA Fahmi now works for ReardonSmith Architects Part 1, Canterbury in London Bridge, working on luxury five-star 2007 hotels in London and abroad.

Postgraduate I managed to secure a job after graduation Diploma RIBA Part 2, relatively quickly. I just jumped at the Canterbury, 2011 opportunity and I now work on some really exciting projects at ReardonSmith Architects. Masters of I am Project Lead Designer and am currently Architecture, working on a redevelopment job in Sloane Canterbury, 2012 Square in London. We are converting an 1880s five-storey mansion house into a 50 bedroom boutique luxury hotel. Another project of mine is a 170 room hotel in the heart of Tbilisi, in Georgia. I am taking a stunning large 19th century neo-classical building and creating it into a hotel. In the near future, ReardonSmith Architects will be opening the luxury Beaumont Hotel in Lobby of the Four Mayfair, which includes a habitable sculpture Seasons Hotel in Baku designed by Anthony Gormley. The sculpture 20 Feature Akram Fahmi 21

“My ambitions are to keep progressing and to make sure that every step I take is upwards, and not sideways”

is of a man crouching and is attached to the all becoming adjustable and user-specific. Above the RIBA and the Institute for Contemporary outside of the building, forming part of the Everything will be smartphone controlled. Four Seasons Hotel Arts in London. To date, this stands as one of hotel’s guest suites. It’s such a surreal space The Canterbury School of Architecture in Baku my proudest achievements, closely followed – imagine having a bed inside a Trojan horse. at UCA was unlike any other university by a Commendation in the prestigious Evolo It will be a fantastic and novel experience for experience. My father is a Civil Engineer Right Above Skyscraper competition in 2011, and my RIBA everyone who stays in there! and my mother is an Interior Designer so my The Beaumont Hotel SouthEast Award for Excellence. My days are spent mostly working on plan family environment has always been creative, in London My ultimate career goal has always been to layouts from the early stages of development and I was instantly drawn to UCA for this run and own my own practice. My ambitions right through to the detailed design and reason. The state-of-the-art facilities available Right Bottom are to keep progressing and to make sure that problem-solving the technical elements. I have at UCA, the 3D printing equipment, laser The Savoy in London every step I take is upwards, and not sideways. opportunities to travel to sites, often abroad, cutting, photo studios and fantastic library I remember a quote from Paul Arden that and there is a real sense of achievement seeing resources were practically unheard of at any inspired me during my degree: “When it can’t your drawings come to life, and physically other university. I was working with one of be done, do it. If you don’t do it, it doesn’t exist.” seeing the space that you have spent months or the most talented, enthusiastic and dedicated This quote has always given me the impetus sometimes years drawing. group of tutors I have ever come across. to strive for the top. There are always surprises I think that hotels, by nature, are transient, Lecturers such as Allan Atlee, John Bell and along the way, and I would never have imagined ever-changing and evolving. The latest trend Oliver Froome-Lewis created a sense of calm, working for the company I do. Things have a in hotel design is the ability to adapt to new confidence and direction, and really pushed way of falling into place, but you need to be technologies. Guests expect a lot more these me to achieve my best. The hard work paid off ready to grasp the opportunities when they do. days, and the ability to control all elements and I was nominated for the RIBA Presidents of the guest experience in hotels is becoming Medals, and was awarded the Bronze Medal, To keep up to date with Akram’s current more important. Room temperature, room Paul Davis Award for Urban Landscape for my work and future projects, visit: service, water temperature and concierge are final year project. It went on to be exhibited at www.afahmi.tumblr.com 22 Feature Jamie Sims 23

Despite having only recently graduated, 2013 Jamie Sims Film Production alumnus Jamie Sims has BA (Hons) Film already created an impressive show reel, with Production, many of his short films receiving noteworthy Farnham, 2013 honours that someone years into their career would be proud of.

The plot of Jamie’s graduation film ‘Howl’ surrounds a schoolteacher who unravels a dark secret behind the unusual relationship between her new pupil and a mysterious stranger. ‘Howl’ has enjoyed notable successes, including being screened at the British Film Institute BKSTS Awards, The Portobello Road Film Festival, and nominated for the ‘Golden Tadpole Award’ at the Camerimage Festival (Poland) in 2013. To bring ‘Howl’s run to a full year-long circle, Jamie’s film won Best Horror/Thriller, Best Screenplay, and was nominated for Best Film at the ScreenTest National Student Film Festival Awards 2014.

2013 Graduate Proves Howling Hit Still from 'Howl' 24 Feature Jamie Sims 25

Jamie also won the BKSTS/National Media Jamie, and were two of only 140 short films to Top Left When asked about his main influences when worked with crews made up of my graduating Museum Student Widescreen Film of the Year, be selected for the London Short Film Festival Jamie on the set of creating his films, Jamie replied: “My films are year. I always felt like I had support and advice and to top it all off, ‘Howl’ was one of four films (LSFF) from a pool of around 1,200 submissions. ‘Milkshake Courage’, pretty eclectic and range from cute romantic from the staff, and now that I’ve graduated the nominated for a Learning on Screen Award & FE Jamie was delighted to see his work image courtesy of comedies like ‘Unhappy Hour’ to the darker support is still there.” Award by the British Universities Film & Video transition to the big screen. He said: “I was James Taylor-Meme psychological thriller ‘Howl’. A lot of my shorts Jamie is currently working on a screenplay Council at the British Film Institute. thrilled that two of my short films were have been made for contests and so follow a for an adaptation of Hamlet with actor Sam In regards to ‘Howl’s future, Jamie said: selected for the LSFF. It was amazing to see Left and Right brief but with all of these I’ve tried to relate back Underwood. He said: “A big problem with “It would be nice to see it on a big screen but them in a cinema and to be part of the viewing Stills from ‘Howl’ to my own experiences and thoughts. ‘Beach Shakespeare is that his characters explain the next step is to plan for its online release, so audience. This kind of opportunity is a huge Potato’ deals with my obsession with television, their motives too much and so as a screen watch this space! Howl has been a huge lesson part of why I am a filmmaker and being able to and ‘Milkshake Courage’ is dedicated to the writer I need to simplify this, and because I for me every step of the way, from its creation, witness people’s reactions first-hand was really utter stain and fear of asking a girl out on a date, am using the original Shakespeare text, the to bring it to life, then to the festival circuit and rewarding.” while ‘Monster Problem’ is about a big monster process involves some meticulous cutting and now thinking about releasing it. I’m so proud of Jamie has now set his sights on directing his trying to sleep but is scared of the little girl manipulating of scenes.” the attention it has got from festivals, audiences first feature-length film. He is on his third draft under the bed.” and fellow filmmakers. It’s been an incredibly of the script and hopes to use some of his prize Looking back on his time at UCA, Jamie To keep up to date with his work and Jamie’s humbling experience.” money from his winning film ‘Unhappy Hour’ said: “UCA challenged me and taught me the future ventures, visit his website: Alongside this, ‘Beach Potato’ and ‘Sex By (at the Beefeater Gin My London Film contest importance of team work and collaboration. www.jamie-sims.com Numbers’ were also written and directed by 2013) in order to develop and make it. I’ve made several shorts since graduation and 26 Feature Morris Keyonzo 27 Despite having photographed many high-profile individuals, Kenyan photographer and UCA alumnus Morris Keyonzo prefers to capture ordinary African scenes of culture and has documented life in Kenya’s slums. Now a lecturer at the University of Nairobi School of Journalism and the Technical University of Kenya School of Information & Communication, he tells Creative Update how he combines teaching with his own practice.

How did you find the transition from Nairobi to What does an average day look like for you? UCA Farnham? Hectic but sometimes smooth! Imagine Before leaving Africa to study at UCA, I was rushing from giving a lesson to students and the working as a technician and pursuing a diploma next hour being on a photo shoot. My days are in graphic design at the Kenya Polytechnic never the same and never predictable. One day I in Nairobi. The Polytechnic nominated me am shooting a glamour fashion set, and the next for a British Council TCDY Award to study day I have my eye and camera fixed on the harsh Photography at UCA Farnham and this marked reality of poverty in a remote area of Africa. It’s the start of my journey to becoming a career easy to get caught between the fantasy world photographer. of advertising and the real world. This is when Morris' journalism students I moved to Farnham with an open mind, and I seek solace in my own art photography where as a mature student at 26 years old, I got over I photograph what inspires me within African the culture shock pretty fast and made as many nature and wildlife, as well as cityscapes and friends as I could. I could often be seen sharing the urban poor. a joke in the cafeteria or having a cup of tea with the Director at the time, Norman Taylor. What aspects of your work do you enjoy I really made the most of my time at Farnham the most? Morris Keyonzo and I enjoyed touring other departments to My work enables me to appreciate the BA (Hons) get inspired or just to know something about diversity of life and learn something new about Photography, Film, printmaking, glass, , metal sculpture, other people’s professions and cultures. I find Kenya in Video & Animation, jewellery, ceramics and textiles. photography incredibly healing and rewarding. Farnham, 1989 The course itself gave me the invaluable I prefer photographing ordinary people. They hands-on practical experience that prepared me tend to reveal more human aspects of life and for the real industry. All the wonderful people are more responsive to their surroundings. that I worked with at Farnham were always A memorable example was when I was in Focus there for me to see that I succeeded, and I am a nomadic village in Northern Kenya when a grateful indeed that I met them. kitchen hut caught fire. The villagers watched 28 Feature Alumni Name 29

helpless as the fire consumed the grass structure with everything in it except for the pot that was already cooking on the open fire. There was hardly any water they could use to put out the fire in this semi-arid environment. There have been many instances where I have captured ordinary Africans in various situations and under different degrees of struggle. Each of them has made me think about how we should never take our own or anyone else’s life for granted. Having said this, I have had the pleasure of photographing some high-profile individuals such as the President of Tanzania, the former President of Kenya, the actor James Earl Jones, and South-African musician Hugh Masekela. Photography has opened my eyes to a delicate understanding of human nature. When I photograph people, I am aware that I am pointing the camera at myself. I shoot these people the way I would like to be photographed if I were standing in their place.

What are your proudest achievements? I would say that I am most proud of being one of the first Kenyans to study a degree in Photography 24 years ago. I have used my degree to contribute towards the alleviation of poverty through the work I have done for both local authorities and non-governmental organisations. One example of this was in 2006 when I was briefed to observe and capture through my camera lens Ant & Dec’s special fundraising mission to the Kibera Slum in Nairobi. I photographed how the duo responded to their environment, away from the TV It has influenced Nairobi’s fashion photography, Top glamour life that they are used to. an area that is gradually emerging as an Ant & Dec in My photography aims to bring about important creative industry. Kibera slum positive change, hope, and possibly a smile on Through my teaching over the years I have a child’s face, a mother’s face or a father’s face adopted the role of mentor to many young Bottom where there has previously been none. My role Kenyans. If I have one goal for the future it is to Morris Keyonzo as a photographer is fundamentally to create see my students use photography to fulfill their images that carry the message effectively in dreams and become better citizens. I always tell Right promoting the work of the non-governmental them that the ‘best shot’ is the one they haven’t Morris’ photograph organisations fighting poverty and creating yet captured. I suppose I shall still be looking for of a Kenyan school awareness both locally and abroad. my best shot in a few years to come. teacher My work has also helped to develop and promote some of Kenya’s leading young See more of Morris’ work at musicians and local celebrities. www.fananpicha.odpodev.com 30 Feature Ian Pons Jewell 31 “Take every opportunity to keep making new work, and make the most of working with like-minded people”

Ian finds that the location of his sets is the London Short Film Festival, the East End Left & Below crucial to the final outcome of his work. He said: Film Festival, and most recently being chosen Stills from the video “Locations often spur on my ideas, and they by FANT Bilbao Film Festival, where it had its ‘La La La’ by Naughty are always there in my mind as an element that world premiere at their 20th anniversary closing Boy ft. Sam Smith inspires me. I don’t like to build sets or heavily ceremony. Ian said: “FANT was wonderful. It’s dress places, preferring to capture the real- always a bit nerve-wracking to see how a film life essence of the location. For example, with will be received but they loved it so much, and New York, which was the setting for the next it was a brilliant experience to present our film Naughty Boy video that I directed, there were to the press.” no major set designs or studios. We simply let Looking ahead, Ian plans to continue the authentic landscapes speak for themselves.” making music videos. He said: “It’s a fantastic Location also played a large part in Ian’s genre and medium to work in. It raises your current focus, a short film called ‘Angels’, profile as a filmmaker and the label provides which pays tribute to the area of Elephant and you with the funds to go ahead and make what Castle and the building that Studio Murmur, is essentially a short film, which can be really Ian’s working film company, has been based in helpful as traditional film funding routes can Setting since 2009. The Studio Murmur team varies but be very time consuming and hard to come by.” includes fellow UCA alumni Dobi Manolova, Ian’s advice to current or recently- Matt Wash, Matt King, Doug Walshe and Ghandi graduated film students is: “Take every El-Chamaa. opportunity to keep making new work, and the Scene Nicknamed ‘The Bank’, the building has make the most of working with like-minded played a key role as the company has evolved. people. I still collaborate with fellow UCA Ian said: “The space was very large and graduates today and the whole environment at After being launched into the spotlight with by cinematographer and UCA alumnus Doug Ian Pons Jewell had a great vibe to it. It’s really surreal and the Farnham campus was invaluable. It really the success of his music video for ‘La La La’ by Walshe, Ian’s regular collaborator. BA (Hons) Film dark, which has had a very big influence on gave me confidence when I stepped into the Naughty Boy featuring Sam Smith, we catch He said: “It’s just a very different way of Production, developing my style.” real working world. Be ready to hit the ground up with Film alumnus Ian Pons Jewell to chat working out there. In Bolivia everything is open Farnham, 2006 ‘Angels’ follows the fictional owner of running, and retain the essence of what defines about his latest projects and what it’s like to and really flexible. For example, we were able the Elephant and Castle shopping mall and you as a filmmaker.” film in exotic locations. to do some filming down a working mine and bowling alley, who is looking to pass on his also in an active, busy police station with no role to a replacement, showing him the ropes To see Ian’s videos and showreel visit: Since graduating in 2006, Ian has made a name problems at all. There are very little restrictions in a farcical and bizarre manner. It was filmed www.ianponsjewell.com for himself directing music videos for the likes when filming in Bolivia, however the pace is in 2012, completed in 2013, and is enjoying and to keep up to date with his new work of DJ Shadow, Crystal Fighters, Tinie Tempah, different. The whole process of production numerous successes, having been selected for visit: www.facebook.com/ipjewell Anna Calvi and Teef. His most successful video, can be longer and involves more face-to-face ‘La La La’ won both “Best Song” and “Best meetings rather than doing work via email. Video” at the 2013 MOBO Awards. “Over here, I could make an entire video Ian said: “The Naughty Boy video was an without leaving my room, but in Bolivia you are amazing experience. All of the elements seemed forced to meet people, find actors and locations to fit into place and I’m really proud of the video through word of mouth, and so forth, which I that was created.” think is a good thing. By contrast in the UK, for ‘La La La’ was filmed entirely in La Paz, example, everything can be very automated, Salar de Uyuni and Potosi in Bolivia, and was a which doesn’t allow as many ‘happy accidents’ completely new experience for Ian. It was shot to happen.” 32 Feature James & Carrie Saunders 33 Little Moose's most recent collection

James and Carrie Saunders met at UCA Farnham (then known as the Surrey Institute of Art and Design) in 2003. In the 12 years or so that have followed, the pair have moved Home is in together, got married, and founded Little Moose– a web-based business selling unique gifts and charming jewellery. Here, James and Carrie chat to us about their story and their efforts to transition Little Where the Moose from a re-seller of distinctive items to a niche brand for their own delightful character- based jewellery and accessories. How did you first meet? Art is James: We met at UCA when we began taking lessons together following a course merge. After becoming friends, we started dating and have been together ever since! Carrie: Being part of the tight-knit creative community at UCA Farnham meant that we were surrounded by like-minded people. The fact that James was on my wave length creatively meant that we had an automatic connection, something that has played an important part in our relationship and our business ever since. James & Carrie How did your relationship and careers progress Saunders after graduation? BA (Hons) Graphic James: Although some people drift apart Communication, when they leave university and move onto the Farnham, 2004 next phase of their lives, Carrie and I stayed 34 Feature James & Carrie Saunders 35

Carrie: It was a difficult, not to mention a studio. The main vision is to be in a position Below scary decision to make, but in the summer of where Little Moose stock is made up almost Little Moose’s most 2013 James quit his job at the agency, where he entirely of our products and you can find Little recent collections had worked for almost a decade, to run Little Moose designs in retail outlets around the world. Moose full-time. I reduced my hours at Disaster Carrie: If Little Moose is as successful as we “It’s amazing to be Designs, where I am now a senior designer, so know it could be, then there could be some very that I too could give the business the attention exciting times ahead. The short term dream able to work with and time it would need to become a success. would be to have a team of people working with us and in the long term it would be amazing to someone who you’re How is Little Moose doing now? eventually have our own store. We're sure that James: In the past year or so, Little Moose there is a place in the market for Little Moose so comfortable with has gone from strength to strength and this is and the unique designs that we're creating. actually a really exciting time for the business We're excited for what the future holds. and so in-sync with as we are moving towards primarily selling our own creations on the site. Check out the Little Moose website and latest creatively” Carrie: Having more time to dedicate to collections at www.littlemoose.co.uk Little Moose has made a massive difference. James now manages all of the digital side of things, including the website, blog, social media pages, SEO, etc. and I manage the financial side. We both contribute to the creation of our designs; I often start with sketches on paper and James develops the ideas digitally, which are then laser cut externally and pieced together by hand at home.

Does working with your spouse make running a business easier, or more difficult? James: The honest answer is that it’s a Left and Right strong. Our careers however, took off on quite started Little Moose, they were only just bit of both! It’s amazing to be able to work Little Moose’s most different paths and it’s only recently, around beginning to gain recognition and we spotted with someone who you’re so comfortable recent collections the launch of Little Moose, that we have started potential to also succeed within this market. with and so in-sync with creatively. It makes working together. Carrie: Little Moose started out primarily as communication open and ideas come freely. Carrie: After graduating, I didn’t have a a re-seller of unique gifts and accessories, but On the other hand, working and living together clear direction professionally. Whereas James we also used the site as a platform to sell our definitely comes with its challenges… fell straight into a ‘career’ role in web design own designs. Both James and I enjoy creating Carrie: Running a business with the person and digital marketing, it took me a little longer cute products with a character design edge, and you love makes everything so worthwhile and to settle into a job and I tried my hand at a our combined skill-sets allowed us to get Little meaningful. However, when you combine few things before taking up a position as a junior Moose off the ground. business and marriage it can be hard to ‘clock- designer at Disaster Designs – a wholesale designer off’ and it takes effort to carve out time to and manufacturer of exclusive collections. How has the business evolved? ourselves. I think the fact that Little Moose is a James: For the first few years, we balanced creative business makes it much easier though, How did Little Moose come about? running Little Moose with our full-time jobs – as the whole process is fun and something we James: My experience in digital combined needless to say, evenings and weekends became love doing! with Carrie’s gift for doodling and experience very hectic! The business was performing well, in the giftware industry led us to set up Little but there came a time when we realised that it Where do you hope the business will be in 5 Moose around five years ago when we became could never reach its full potential unless we years’ time? aware of an increase in demand for unique dedicated ourselves fully to it. By focusing on James: I think we both have really high handmade gifts and accessories. Although our own designs we could better control pricing, hopes for Little Moose and would love to see it websites such as ‘Etsy’ and ‘Not on the High as well as have a greater sense of achievement in evolve to the point where we would be able to Street’ are well-known now, back when we turning our dreams into a reality. have a small team and perhaps an office and 36 Feature Jonathan Ramalho 37

Hong Kong: the Creative East-West Gateway

Jonathan Ramalho Jonathan spent his Study Abroad year in China BA (Hons) Graphic creating ‘Designers Inbetween’, a documentary Design: New Media, exploring Hong Kong’s creative industries Epsom, 2014 through the lens of 14 companies ranging from start-up initiatives to the industry’s leading firms. We speak to Jonathan to find out what it’s like to work in Hong Kong, as opposed to Europe and America.

What inspired you to create the ‘Designers Inbetween’ documentary? The journey began when I studied at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University during my Study Abroad year in 2013. I teamed up with Oliver Lehtonen and Miiro Seppänen, both award-winning designers who were also studying out there. I was fascinated by Hong Kong’s diverse environment and eager to convey the enhancement of independence for creative Jonathan interviewing entrepreneurs. I was captivated by the strategic on Shek 'O Beach advantages and challenges that artists face in 38 International Jonathan Ramalho 39

effortless procedures and good supporting infrastructure. From a European perspective, Hong Kong showed that there is a fresh entrepreneurial spirit on the horizon. Within the industry, “I was motivated to reveal what people were dedicated to working long hours and all shared the optimism of working in a fast- I believed to be currently one of growing economy. Experiencing the city first-hand transcends the hottest design capitals” any individual with spontaneous accounts. This fuels designers, who are inspired by the mystical imagination that Hong Kong has to offer, such as the late night street markets in Kowloon to an enormous rubber duck floating in Victoria Harbour. Top In terms of creative business, Hong Kong is a global financial capital, and how the industry However, once we got the ball rolling, the Artist Ceet being definitely reaching out to support the creative is so different from the West and the rest of Asia. project evolved faster than we ever could have interviewed by scene as well as start-ups. With this combination I was motivated to reveal what I believed to imagined. We set up interviews with local Jonathan we are seeing more designers becoming be currently one of the hottest design capitals, design agencies, and it was great as everyone independent with their creative ventures. They especially considering that more and more seemed interested in contributing to our Middle are forming their own micro brands which businesses are turning towards design talent for project. Some even said they had been waiting Jonathan and Oliver professor, author and designer Roger Ball, and guidance on how to be more imaginative while for an opportunity just like this to capture at Shek ‘O Beach founder of ‘C’monde’ industrial design studio growing a business. the stories of this unique artistic community. Johan Persson, cover exceptionally well in our We were welcomed to people´s studios and Bottom documentary. What did you enjoy most about living and homes, and greeted with open arms. In contrast, Paola Sinisterra working in Hong Kong? Western-based studios sometimes tend to be and Ingacio Garcia How do you feel your experience at UCA has I was provided with a holistic and invaluable more reserved, which can make it hard to gain at Tangram studio helped develop your skills and style? insight into the unique culture and traditions, an insight. being interviewed by UCA opened me up to new ways of thinking. and how people adapt their lives to this, and Jonathan Being taught by a range of professionals with experience the separation the poor and How do the creative industries in Asia compare such diverse practices and backgrounds, I wealthy lifestyles. with the West? gained a wider and more unique perspective Being in a new environment which offered Hong Kong is a gateway from East to of the creative industries. As an artist, UCA endless opportunities to pick up new skills West, so most designers work in between both provided me with great opportunities to raise was amazing. I experimented with production markets. While they are neighbours to the rest my consciousness and self-awareness. It helped design, information design, strategic brand of the fast-growing Asian economy, they are still me to learn how to articulate ideas in order to management and art direction. I also enjoyed driven towards Western clientele. engage effectively with the right audience. working with designers and other practitioners The creative sector is already mature who spoke barely any English, meaning that I and well-established in America and Now that you’ve graduated from UCA, what are learned a deeper, more creative communication. Europe. Designers are more likely to pick the your ambitions for the future? comfortable route of working in-house in a large The plan is to hold the premier of ‘Designers How did you go about planning and researching agency or a company, which has created a more Inbetween’ at Business of Design Week, which is the documentary? linear career path. In Hong Kong, designers held in Hong Kong from 2 - 7 December. At first it was tricky to find the right are pushing the boundaries and being more My ambitions lie within social innovation connections. Many organisations found experimental. Instead of firm hierarchical and shaping rich digital communication our approach difficult to understand. In a models like in the West, the city´s young experiences that are so impactful and city like Hong Kong, that has a focus on the industry turned out to be fresh and original, and compelling they become memories that conservative financial sector, a relatively small seemed to operate from small studios hidden audiences never forget. project about the creative industries and an within skyscrapers. We found that Hong Kong uncommon team of three young designers was has become one of the best places for anyone To read more about Designers Inbetween something very new. planning to start up a creative business with visit: www.designersinbetween.com 40 Feature Laura Nailor 41

The Cat that got the Screen

Getting her inspiration from watching Disney the film is animated in rough, and every frame Laura Nailor animations as a child and behind-the-scenes is drawn out using Flash in a similar method BA (Hons) Animation, documentaries, animation alumna Laura Nailor to traditional pencil and paper animation. In a Farnham, 2006 was taken by the concept of capturing life- typical day for Laura, she works in-depth on just like movements and transferring her cartoon a few seconds of animation. drawings to the screen. Laura said: “It’s great to be able to see instant feedback from people as soon as a film Top Laura used her time at UCA Farnham to develop is published online. The ‘Simon’s Cat’ stories Laura working at her own style of animation. After graduating have a very universal humour, and they are easy Tandem Films in 2006, she attended a Skillset networking to identify with, especially familiar for anyone event where her graduation work was being who owns a cat. There definitely seems to be Right showcased. Here she secured a Flash animation something about cats on the internet at the Copyright © Simon’s job at Tandem Films from Animation Director moment, so we’ve really tapped into something Cat Ltd and fellow UCA alumnus Daniel Greaves. After popular, which is perhaps why the ‘Simon’s Cat’ four years of doing freelance animation for cartoons are so successful.” Tandem and working on television and web When Laura started working in animation commercials, in 2010 Laura started animating the ratio of light-box desks to computer desks full-time for ‘Simon’s Cat’. was considerably lower than it is today. 2D She said: “I like how observational and computer software has replaced pencil and true to life the ‘Simon’s Cat’ series is, and paper to a high degree. tries to capture an essence of funny animal She said: “I think that the boost in mannerisms. Because the style is quite minimal, popularity of online content, new technology the focus is all on acting and good movement, and platforms becoming so accessible, makes which is what I enjoy most about animating. I've it an exciting time to be making creative art. learnt a lot about comedy timing while working Animation is a great medium for escapism and on ‘Simon’s Cat’.” provides us with entertainment and Working closely alongside creator, Simon often with humour. It's become possible for Tolfield, each film begins with Simon sketching anyone to experiment and create animation, out some detailed storyboards on paper. and to reach an audience so there's a lot of Working in Adobe Flash, Laura then develops an variety around.” animatic. At this stage Simon and Laura work out the timings and review how it works as a Watch Laura’s animations at film, perfecting the story and the jokes. Next, www.simonscat.com 42 Feature Dr Jennie Jewitt-Harris 43

After many years of working as a doctor, Dr Jennie Jewitt-Harris decided to take her career in a different direction and pursue an MA in Fine Art. She now combines art and science in her work and has recently taken up the position of Artist in Residence at the Watts Gallery, An Artists’ Village in Surrey.

The Art of

Medicine by Dr Jennie Jewitt-Harris

Dr Jennie The interface between art and science has experience, such as Grace Pailthorpe, Frida Jewitt-Harris intrigued me for a long time. Finding a way to Khalo, and Eileen Agar, multi-media artists MA Fine A rt, combine the two disciplines is something I’ve such as William Kentridge, and collagists such Farnham, 2013 always dreamed of. It feels very good to be at a as Hannah Hoch. place now where I’m using my understanding Studying at UCA Farnham allowed me to of both, and exploring subjects that I’m really explore how psychological theory has inspired interested in. art. It was a great opportunity to lose myself I’m a medical doctor and psychologist, and in the subject, and to discuss and debate my I have worked in the field of transplantation work with other like-minded artists. The for some time, firstly in clinical research, lectures were excellent, with a variety of and more recently setting up and running different tutors and speakers bringing fresh a medical charity called ‘Transplant Links’. ideas and experience. The 2012 Olympics took I’ve been interested in art for as long as I can place during my time on the course, and I was remember, and was always keen to draw and selected to take part in the Cultural Olympiad visually record my work. However, it wasn’t Cross Campus Initiative as the photographer until I became involved in the project Visions for a theatrical production depicting the of Science, a photographic competition that I stories of the 1908 Olympics. This gave me the chaired, and ‘Thank You for Life’, a book about chance to develop my interest in stereoscopic the experiences of people who have benefitted photography, and participate in an exciting Left from organ donation, that I finally decided Olympics-inspired exhibition. ‘Time Passing’ to take my passion for art more seriously. My I have found that there are pluses and collage and influences have tended to be artists whose work minuses to having a scientific or medical charcoal drawing is also inspired by medical or psychological background as an artist. As I still work in 44 Feature People 45 medicine, I see the impact that life-changing medical events have on people’s lives and this has very much been the inspiration for my recent work. I would describe my artwork Reconnect almost as an “investigation” into a subject. Right Each subject that I work on is looked at in a Stereoscope and variety of ways, and my drawings, collages and at Rochester photographs, cast in stereograms often have the appearance of a bronze diagrammatic investigation. I’m very aware that there are events in On a glorious sunny Thursday in June, around UCA Rochester and its founder institutions Below medicine that define a moment in a person’s 60 alumni spanning six decades of UCA’s have nurtured a number of illustrious alumni such ‘Standing on the Edge life. At that moment people often have to history all gathered together at the UCA as Karen Millen OBE and Dame Zandra Rhodes. of Time’ - collage and navigate through a new landscape that perhaps Rochester campus for an evening of relaxing, Another notable alumnus from Rochester charcoal drawing they weren’t prepared for. It’s that moment that reconnecting and reminiscing. and UCA honorary graduate, was the first I’ve been interested in. guest speaker, Stephen Webster MBE. The There are many aspects of transplant The alumni made the most of the international jewellery designer spoke of his medicine that provide inspiration for my art. It’s opportunity to network and swap stories time studying at Medway College of Design a transforming area of medicine that can take with former classmates and tutors, as they and how his global career has developed someone from the brink of death to a new life. At enjoyed refreshments on the terrace. over the years. The second guest speaker was the same time the beliefs that underpin whether Guests also appreciated meeting other media expert and UCA honorary graduate Jill or not we decide to be organ donors provides generations of Rochester graduates, who Cochrane who spoke to the group about her tremendous material to respond to artistically. studied at the Medway College of Art and the career in media and presentation skills training. While I haven’t completely given up my Kent Institute of Art & Design. Very recent The reunion coincided with this year’s medical work, my MA has marked a real shift graduates of the University for the Creative Graduation Show, so the alumni were treated to in emphasis to making art. My advice to other Arts also attended. tours of the campus by student ambassadors, professionals is to take what inspired you in Head of School of Fashion, Thomass who showed them around the exhibitions of your previous work, and use that experience in Atkinson, gave a rousing welcome speech final year student work. your artwork. where he said: “Events such as these really If you studied at Rochester and did not As well as working part time for the medical enable our alumni to familiarise themselves receive an invite to the reunion then please charity I am also Artist in Residence at Watts with developments within the institution update your contact details online or or contact Gallery and An Artists’ Village in Compton. I was and get involved with its future. Our UCA our alumni office. invited to interview for this after the MA show in Below community goes beyond the campus and 2013, and was delighted to take up the position at Alumni talking with extends both locally and globally, which is [email protected] the beginning of this year. Stephen Webster MBE really important to us.” www.ucreative.ac.uk/alumni Though my style couldn’t be more different to Watts’, he was very interested in the subject of the human condition and our relationship with time which I find inspiring. I have a studio there and it’s giving me a real opportunity to develop my work further, leading up to a solo exhibition next year, as well as an exhibition later this year with other UCA alumni. If I have a future of research, collaborations, exhibiting my art and using the set of skills I’ve built up, I’ll be very happy.

Jennie’s work can be seen in Time and Tide at the New Ashgate Gallery in Farnham from 28 October to 2 November, and monthly at Watts Open Studio (see wattsgallery.org.uk). Her solo exhibition will be at Watts Gallery in June 2015. To view Jennie’s art visit: www.jenniejh.co.uk 46 People Alumni Name 47 David Haste, former Head of Fine Art, reflects on the creative career of Stass Paraskos

Stass Paraskos 1933-2014

Stass Paraskos was a painting lecturer in the Cypriot churches. That was, until, as a young School of Fine Art at Canterbury College of Art man, he took the boat to England to work in from 1966 to 1989. In the latter years he took his brother’s café in and where he made over the original degree painting course as the small to decorate the walls. These college merged with others to form the Kent were noticed by local art school tutors, who, in Institute. A very popular tutor throughout his 1955, encouraged him to enroll at Leeds College teaching career, Stass inspired generations of of Art where he eventually became a full time students and earned their affection and respect. student, albeit briefly. He formed a strong He regularly worked alongside his students, friendship with his tutor, Terry Frost, and making and painting, sharing their aspirations moved to Cornwall where he became associated with unquenchable enthusiasm but above all an with the St Ives Group and shared a studio with imbuing love of art. Wilhemne Barnes-Graham. Stass became the most significant and Stass encountered notoriety with his first internationally renowned Cypriot artist of solo exhibition, ‘Lovers and Romances’, at his generation. He was born and raised in Leeds in 1966. Some of the paintings depicted Anaphotia, a small remote village in southern caressing naked figures and, following , when the island was still a British public complaints, were seized by the police. colony and very different from the major tourist Stass became the last artist in England to be resort it is today. prosecuted under the 1838 Vagrancy Act that From the beginning he was instinctively had earlier been used against DH Lawrence. attracted to visual imagery, but the only art At his trial, art world luminaries, including he saw on the island were the traditional Herbert Read, Quentin Bell and Norbert Lynton Right religious icons, murals and ornaments in came to his defence, but the case was lost. Stass Paraskos 48 Feature Stass Paraskos 49

“Like religion, art is at its best when it is a simple activity but as in religion, simplicity can lead to the experience of something incredible”

Even so, with his reputation considerably many years of inspired teaching. The qualities enhanced, Stass began teaching at Leeds and he brought to this were founded upon Stass, Canterbury art colleges, received a sympathetic the artist. All of his paintings, drawings and letter from Roy Jenkins, then the Home Secretary, work across various art forms such as relief, and was given a prestigious show at the ICA in sculpture and printmaking enshrined one all London with Ian Dury, from ‘Ian Dury and the embracing subject – Cyprus - political events, Blockheads’, who would later teach with him village life, the everyday, folk art, myth, belief, at Canterbury. Some years later the allegedly ritual, symbols, tradition, pleasure and tragedy, ‘obscene work’ was purchased by the Tate Gallery. all contemporary but layered with historical Stass had a long cherished ambition to ambiguities, past and present. establish an art school in Cyprus and in 1969 Eventually retiring from Canterbury he led a group of ‘students, artists, poets and in 1987, Stass returned to Cyprus where he hangers on’ to and set up an initial devoted the rest of his life to his Cyprus College summer school. Following the Turkish invasion and making art. His work was widely sought of 1974 and the resulting chaos, these classes after, he had regular solo exhibitions in Nicosia moved to Lemba near , a picturesque and the UK, and with one major international old village set on a gentle hillside leading down exhibition, he represented Cyprus at the 1996 to the sea. Here, in 1976, a profusion of studios, Sao Paolo Bienale. workshops and chalets, became established For one who was largely self-taught, Stass as The Cyprus School of Art. This sun-blessed was a well read man and a distinctive writer of location attracted a great many artists, books about Cyprus and its mythologies as well principally from the UK, to stay and teach as as poetry, magazine and newspaper articles. it did scores of students from Canterbury and Stass died this year aged 81 and was buried at other British art schools. Stass became a very St Christopher’s church in his old home village well known personality in Cyprus and by the of Anaphotia. The generous qualities this man 1990s, following further expansion, the school gave as artist and teacher to so many are best evolved into the Cyprus College of Art; today it reflected in his own words: is a strong internationally recognised institution ‘Like religion, art is at its best when it is a at Lemba and . simple activity but as in religion, simplicity can Throughout these successful years, with lead to the experience of something incredible.’ Left regular periods spent in Cyprus, Stass’ family ‘The Red Nude’ by home remained in Kent. From 1970 he was a David Haste Stass Paraskos, senior lecturer at the Canterbury College of Head of the School of Fine Art 2009 Art (now UCA Canterbury) where he fulfilled Kent Institute of Art & Design 1982-98 Share your stories We’re already looking for stories for our next edition. If you’ve got some exciting news to share, get in touch today. Simply email [email protected] or give us a call on 01252 891464.

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