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The next generation of creativity - Art Degree Show – University of Reading

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The next generation of creativity - Art Degree Show

Release Date 11 June 2012

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The Tracy Emins and Damien Hirsts of the future will be displaying their work at the University of Reading's Art Degree Show this month.

From Monday 11 June to Friday 24 June the public are welcome to attend the exhibition which this year showcases the exciting work of nearly 70 students graduating students from Reading's renowned Department of Art.

Head of the University of Reading's Department of Art Professor Susanne Clausen said: "This exhibition is the culmination of our undergraduate and postgraduate work, research and their experience of studying art. The show features work that confronts contemporary issues such as the rise in student fees and the renegotiation of historical discourses of gender politics.

"Highlights includerock star impersonations, pregnant dancers, a fountain of milk, live nudes, a shrine to consumerism and students apparently buried under the weight of their impending debt."

The Department of Art has a long history, originating over 150 years ago as one of the founding departments of the University of Reading. It has produced alumni such as Turner Prize nominees Cornelia Parker, Richard Wilson and Mike Nelson and been associated with notable artists such as Walter Sickert and Sir Terry Frost.

SusanneClausenadded: "Graduates from the Department of Art have gone on to become acclaimed artists, curators and writers, making significant contributions across the creative and cultural field. I'm sure David Watkins, who graduated from the Department in 1963, will be watching the Olympics with enormous pride as he designed the medals that the world's best athletes hope to win this summer."

Final year student Joe Kerrigan believes the University of Reading is awonderful place to study art.

"I've had a very memorable time at Reading," saidJoe. "The art degree at Reading is really unique in that you get a lot of help with the practical side of making art but also considerable insight into contemporary art theory. Although you receive a lot of support, both practically and theoretically, you're really pushed to make the best work possible. It's going to be very sad to leaveand I'm going to miss this town."

The University's Degree Show is accompanied by a three-part newspaper publication featuring all the artist in the show.The publication is made possible with the generous support from the Joint Standing Committee of Council and Senate for the Arts.

Visitors can see the exhibition between 900am - 5.00pm weekdays, 10.00am - 4.00pm weekends. For more information please contact Gina Field, g.k.field@reading.ac.uk, 0118 378 8050/1

ENDS

Further press information and images of the works on display from James Barr, University of Reading press office, 0118 378 7115, j.w.barr@reading.ac.uk

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Notes for editors:

The University of Reading's Department of Art offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Art and Art History. It also offers distinctive joint undergraduate degrees with, among others, Philosophy, Psychology, Film & Theatre, Television, and History of Art & Architecture. The courses demonstrate the full breadth of Art as an area of study and research.

All members of the academic staff are actively engaged as artists, historians and curators.

The department attracts students from all over the world and from diverse previous experience and operates as a 24-hour studio community.

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