Degree Show Piece Review
Throughout my time at NUA, there has always been the thought of the degree show in my mind and I could never quite envisage what I wanted to work toward so when the time came to prepare it was quite challenging to create a concept.
The Mondrian-esque simplicity of the skeletal bus shelter frame was a very deliberate choice, the focal point of the piece needed to be the illuminated billboard. Creating the light box in order to highlight the print proved more challenging than initially anticipated with multiple designs and alternatives being discussed with tutors and technicians, however it was decided upon that to get the best result and for the freedom of customisation that I would create my own light box. This meant that I had the liberty to measure exactly how big I wanted the print to be and to also chose how I wanted the light to look. The decision to use a pulsating/flickering light was an easy one in the end. The imperfection of not having a solid light shows the decay of the urban environment which it is supposed to artificially replicate. Imperfection is inevitable when viewing the outside world, and I quite enjoyed the juxtaposition of the unsure with the pristine space of the white gallery. The structure itself is quite interactive for in order to view both the bus times and the work one must first step into the shelter, this forcible movement is a shadow of what those who are trafficked feel the promise of something safe and beautiful only to be met with the true horror that is modern day slavery. I wanted to lure the viewer in and I believe that everything is set up to do so even the positioning of the piece as you walk into the room can be seen immediately placed perfectly in view between the pillar and the wall. It was important for me to impact the viewer immediately and grab there attention so that they were intrigued enough to enquire about the meaning of the work. The image itself still maintains its commercial appearance and is elevated by the sporadic illumination of the lights, almost in some ways mimicking that of passing traffic, perhaps a more literal interpretation of the way in which the outside world subconsciously consumes media. The bus times portion of the work had to mirror and reflect that same Mondrian minimalism and therefore the decision was made to use an elongated frame to represent that of the bus timetable but to also allow the text to have some breathing space, the gaps which were purposefully left run parallel to that of the main billboard opposite mirroring it and tying the piece together in a united and uniformed way. Once the piece was complete, I have to admit I was quite proud of what I have achieved and I believe that the work is clear enough and strong enough to portray the message intended. I look forward to seeing people interact with the work in the future.
















