THE BRUSHED MARK.studio

The Degree Show marks the culmination of years of experimentation, research, failure, discovery, and growth. Across the United Kingdom, degree show season offers a glimpse into the next generation of artists and designers, presenting the outcomes of sustained studio practice and critical enquiry. In 2016, Coventry University’s Fine Art & Illustration graduates presented the final works developed throughout their undergraduate studies.

For me, the Degree Show represented the conclusion of a journey that had gradually unfolded over three years. Each stage of study contributed to the development of recurring themes that would later converge within my final body of work.

Level 1: Dwelling

My first year centred around the concept of dwelling and our relationship with space. Through drawing, painting and observation, I explored ideas of shelter, belonging, and the environments we inhabit. These early investigations established an interest in place as both a physical and psychological experience.

Level 2: The Recall

The second year introduced The Recall, a project examining memory, migration, and the search for home. As someone living between cultures, I became increasingly interested in what “home” means to a foreigner. Rather than documenting a specific location, the work explored fragments of recollection, nostalgia, and the emotional landscapes attached to memory.

Level 3: Polish Mythology and the Triple Goddess

The final year became a journey into ancient Poland, drawing inspiration from Slavic folklore, mythology, and oral traditions. Research into archetypal female figures gradually evolved into the creation of a powerful symbolic presence. Through painting, sculpture, and photography, this research culminated in the development of the Triple Goddess, a figure embodying transformation, memory, ancestry, and feminine strength.

The project expanded beyond painting alone, becoming a multidisciplinary installation that combined several strands of practice developed throughout the course.

Final Year Work

The exhibition included:

• Large-scale acrylic paintings
• Sculptural works
• Experimental photography
• Installation elements

Together, these works formed a visual narrative exploring identity, mythology, memory, and cultural inheritance.

Degree Show Leadership

Alongside exhibiting my own work, I had the privilege of serving as Degree Show Leader for the Fine Art & Illustration Degree Show 2016.

My responsibilities included:

• Allocating exhibition spaces for all graduating artists
• Coordinating exhibition planning and installation
• Designing the exhibition catalogue
• Designing promotional materials and posters
• Managing social media promotion and communication

The exhibition identity and logo were designed by fellow artist Toby Page, whose visual contribution helped establish the public face of the show.

The final catalogue was formally endorsed by Fine Art & Illustration Course Director Jay Taylor and remains an important record of the graduating cohort’s achievements.

Graduating Cohort

The Fine Art & Illustration Degree Show 2016 featured the work of seven graduating artists.

Although small in number, the cohort represented a diverse range of approaches across painting, illustration, sculpture, installation, and photography.

Student of the Year Award

One of the most memorable moments of the Private View arrived unexpectedly.

During the exhibition opening, the Illustration Department announced the recipient of the Student of the Year Award. To my complete surprise, I was selected as the Fine Art & Illustration recipient.

Receiving the award at the conclusion of three intensive years of study was both humbling and deeply encouraging. It served as a reminder that persistence, commitment, and continuous development rarely happen overnight, but over time they leave a visible mark.

Looking back, the Degree Show was more than the end of a university course. It was the point at which years of experimentation, cultural exploration, and personal reflection became a coherent artistic voice, one that continues to evolve today.