Fine Art students make an exhibition of themselves – University of Reading
18 June 2004
A concrete helicopter, a house made of jigsaw piece-shaped cushions and artworks featuring fish and poppadoms will be on display at an exhibition of contemporary art by University students between Monday 21 June and Saturday 26 June. The unique exhibition features work by post-graduate and undergraduate students in the University of Reading's Department of Fine Art. "This annual event is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and varied shows of contemporary art to be seen in the region," says Eliza Bonham Carter, the Head of the Department. "What's astounding about it is the sheer diversity of the work on display – from oil paintings and sculptures to video installations. "The people of Reading should grab their chance to see this exhibition, which is right on their doorstep rather than in London. It's the perfect opportunity to see the new, cutting-edge artists of this generation." Among the many highlights is a piece by undergraduate Stephen Gibson which is a "study of the effect on plant growth by relating the level of artificial light to the value of the FTSE100 share index". As the level of the index rises and falls, so does the level of light the plants receive. And with the country currently going football crazy, post-graduate Lee Regan shows his own version of an "England fan" – the St George's Cross being blown by an electric fan. Members of the public are welcome to the exhibition, which runs from Monday 21 June to Saturday 26 June. It is being held in the Department of Fine Art at the University's Whiteknights campus and is open 10am-4pm weekdays and 10am-3pm on Saturday. For further information, please contact Mrs Jean Butler on 0118 378 8051. End Notes for editors Photographers and reporters are more than welcome to come to the exhibition, and some hi-res images of the artworks are available. Please contact Craig Hillsley on (tel) 0118 378 7388 (email) c.hillsley@reading.ac.uk , or Carol Derham on (tel) 0118 378 8004 (email) c.a.derham@reading.ac.uk