A showcase of creative work at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has been unveiled by Turner Prize winner Lubaina Himid CBE as students share their talents in a virtual exhibition.

The internationally acclaimed artist and UCLan Professor of Contemporary Art, who won the prestigious Turner Prize in 2017, opened the annual UCLan Degree Show at a virtual awards ceremony for arts and media students exhibiting their final year work.

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Addressing the students, Lubaina said: “This is the 30^th UCLan Degree Show I have seen and I am delighted to say that the energy and the commitment you have shown is clear, strong and dynamic.

“You should be very proud of yourselves. I know how challenging it has been for you all as you struggled through the pandemic while developing your ideas, honing your skills and having to use every ounce of your intelligence, your nerve and your belief to get this work made and presented.

“You have demonstrated immense courage and determination.”

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It is the second year in a row the exhibition has been held virtually because of the pandemic but the final year students of many creative disciplines, including architecture, art, design, fashion and media, have pulled out the stops to ensure their work can still be seen by the public.

Visitors to the online exhibition can view online portfolios of all exhibiting students.

Jane Anthony, UCLan’s Executive Dean of Culture and Creative Industries, said: “We’re very excited to share the 2021 Degree Show with the world and showcase the culmination of three years hard work.

“Our creative students have risen to the challenges presented by the pandemic and have produced inspiring projects that are testament to their commitment and passion to succeed in these difficult times.

“This annual exhibition provides a platform for our students to share their talents with the public and industry and acts as a stepping-stone to their future careers.”

Just as with UCLan’s traditional physical Degree Shows, the exhibition was marked by announcing the winners of five industry-sponsored awards, held in association with Creative Lancashire, that celebrate enterprise, craft skills, insight, sustainability and technological innovation.

Each winning student will receive an exciting placement, mentoring or support opportunity from their sponsor. 

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The Super Slow Way arts programme in Pennine Lancashire sponsored the Award for Society and Sustainability.

It’s director, Laurie Peake, said: “’I was bowled over by the standard of work, the obvious talent and sheer determination and resourcefulness of the students who created industry-standard, innovative and inspiring work against all odds over the past year.

“Society and sustainability is at the heart of our work at Super Slow Way and I was particularly impressed and excited by the design work of Lansona Kershaw who demonstrated not only superb skill but a keen and imaginative response to the challenges presented by fast fashion which is particularly pertinent to our British Textile Biennial programme taking place across East Lancashire throughout October.”

Society and Sustainability Award winner and creative advertising student Lansona Kershaw said: “I’m really pleased to have won an award, and extremely grateful for the support I received from my lecturers who helped me throughout my degree.

“The degree show has been a great experience which I am glad I got to be a part of, I have really valued the opportunities it has provided me with such as an in person degree show, the interview with the judges and the award. It has been the best way to end my time at UCLan.”

The UCLan 2021 Degree Show is available online – https://degreeshow.uclan.ac.uk/

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