Function of Folk in Krakow

We are back from Krakow, where the Function of Folk exhibition and illustration research symposium took place. The Ethnographic museum provided two fantastic venues and very kindly presented exhibits from their own collection alongside contemporary guest artists. We saw beautiful work by Andrzej Klimowski, Jonny Hanna, Alexa Galea and many others! Among the exhibitors was UCA Illustration lecturer Iro Tsavala and visiting lecturer Mireille Fauchon.The Function of Folk exhibition is on until the 30^th of December. 

Definitely worth visiting the exhibition, as well as the main collection of the ethnographic museum - the range of artefacts is breathtaking!

exhibits from the museum's collection

Iro Tsavala

Alexa Galea

Jonny Hannah

UCA Illustration at New Blood 2012

Third year students had a great stand at D&AD New Blood in Spitalfields this year. Showcasing 'vivid and aggressive work' that stood out from the crowd. We had a great review on the Creative Review blog. Here's the gang putting up the show. Well done everybody!

Penguin Design Award Shortlist 2012

Two Year 3 students have been shortlisted for the Penguin Design Award this year. The brief was to design and illustrate Grimm's Fairy Tales. Well done to Zoe Sutton and Esther Farmer.

Zoe Sutton

Esther Farmer

Year 2 illustration show

Joanna Keys, Abbey Massey and a small friend selling a selection of handmade books at the 2nd year end of year show "Lead". Held in the George Rodger gallery at Maidstone, it was a triumph. They are looking particularly happy to have prized £2.50 out of me for a catalogue. A bargain as it turned out, as it will inevitably become a collectors item.

Course Leader Neil Breeden ensuring quality control over the various refreshments available.

Some damn fine work by the student known as Lucy Parris. This is just a taster, more soon.

Comica

We had a great day at Comica last Saturday April 21^st.

Current students and staff as well as recent graduates of the course showed their books and zines – all very unique and beautifully made. We enjoyed the live drawing taking place in the Great Hall of Bishopsgate Institute with creators including Tom Gauld, Simone Lia, Darryl Cunningham, Andi Watson, Mark Stafford & many more…

We saw some great new books by NoBrow and we discovered Aben Maler, a small Danish publishing company with very interesting titles – have a look here. We had fantastic feedback and we look forward to coming back in November with more books, zines and prints!

http://abenmaler.dk/english/

http://www.comicafestival.com/

Drawing Workshop with Le Gun

Second and third year illustration students took part in a drawing workshop with Le Gun founders Neal Fox and Robert Rubbish on Friday afternoon, after an inspiring talk about their work in the morning.

Visiting Lecture: Neal Fox and Robert Rubbish

We had a fantastic start to the new semester with a guest lecture from Le Gun founders, Neal Fox and Robert Rubbish who entertained us with their adventures in illustration. Both artists exhibit internationally and have worked on a range of fascinating and innovative projects.

Robert Rubbish

Neal Fox

New York Trip

BA Hons Illustration students and staff enjoyed a fantastic trip to New York at the end of January. We visited Heart Illustration Agency New York office and had a really interesting time talking about the ins and outs of working in the USA and saw some great examples of work from the likes of Nick White, Laura Carlin and Barry Falls to name but a few! We also saw some great art at the museums and galleries and found some interesting souvenirs at the Flea Markets and while we were at MoMA we caught a glimpse of Occupy Wall Street in the foyer.

Stories Unfolding Exhibition

We kicked off the New Year with a fantastic exhibition of 2nd Year Illustration work. Students engaged with individuals and organisations for a ten-week Reportage project, taking on the role of investigators and the result is some really interesting work. The exhibition is on until 25th Jan and is well worth a visit!

XMAS Print Fair update

Thanks to all those who attended and took part in our XMAS Print Fair - the first of many, judging by the popularity of the event! It was a great day and really useful for students to get a taste of self publishing and developing their professional practice before graduating.

We're already looking forward to snapping up some more bargains at the next one! You can see some of the fantastic work students produced for the fair below.

Alumni: Rui Tenreiro

Graduate of the course, Rui Tenreiro is a writer, illustrator and publisher who has worked across many areas of illustration from editorial to textile design. Clients include, Virgin Atlantic, Levi's, Coca-Cola, FedEx and Mercedes Benz. Rui lives in Stockholm and has recently completed an MA at Konstfack.

Internships at Pratt Contemporary Printmaking Studio

Two of our third year students were lucky enough to be selected for internships at the illustrious Pratt Contemporary Printmaking Studio based in Kent. Pratt has specialised in Fine Art Print and Folio Editions since it started in 1977. Illustration students Callum Jackson and Ian O'Shea worked at the studio last summer, experiencing many of the practical aspects of preparing artwork, setting up exhibitions, marketing and promotion. The gallery Directors were so impressed by our students, they offered them both extended internships and invited them to take a show to the New York Print Fair in October!