University News Last updated 07 July 2010
Talented Textile Design students from Birmingham City University have been showcasing their work in an exhibition to celebrate new design talent from across the country.
Jess Edwards and Viv Wilson are among 17 graduates from the BA (Hons) Textile Design course taking part in the New Designers exhibition in London. The annual event sees more than 3,500 newly graduated designers coming together to represent the top 200 design courses from across the nation to meet industry employers, the media, trend predictors and a design hungry public.
Jess Edwards is a recipient of the University’s George Jackson Educational Travel Award and showed an exquisite series of art textile works that cross boundaries between photography and textiles. Her inspiration is taken from the philosophies of the Slow Movement, highlighting the importance of the maker’s hand and their engagement with craft. Jess will be travelling to Sweden later this year to participate in the “Points of Departure” event which involves exhibitions, seminars and workshops under the theme of new technology and contemporary art which has its roots in traditional textiles.
Jess says: “I am excited to be showing at New Designers and hope that it will provide the opportunity to make contacts with industry professionals and to promote myself to the public. I will be continuing to develop my photographic and embroidered work and hope to find galleries interested in exhibiting it.”
Viv Wilson’s ‘Bushido ‘ collection of woven and knitted trimmings and fashion accessories is influenced by Samurai traditions and has won her a travel bursary in the prestigious Louisa Anne Ryland Award. Viv is interested in exploring the fusion of traditional and specialist yarns with new and recycled components and plans to visit Japan to continue her textile research.