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Rupert Smithson
MA Fine Art
Smithson’s work is concerned with the idea of considering the phrase “Archaeology (to be the Archaeologist)” - that is, exploring how a painting can reveal its past; using tools such as sandpaper and a palm sander, the intention is to strip back layers of paint to reveal what has gone before, exposing its many versions and colours.
It is a reinterpretation of the alleged “finished” artwork, addressing the concept that everything is a suggestion, or an idea, of what is fact or fiction. After all, who is to say what is real with abstraction and what is not?
When sanding into a major recent project, there was an accidental breach of the canvas - stripping away not only the layers, as intended, but the canvas itself. In deciding what to do next, the idea emerged around re-engaging with deconstructed work, via restoration techniques. These ideas were used in this new piece, after slashing the canvas with a scalpel and then using book binding or embroidery thread to re-stitch the painting’s surface back to a taut and complete object, giving a nod to certain abstract expressionist Artists that flourished in the early to mid 20th Century.
Thus, what initially started as an abstract interpretation of painterly daubings (based on my environment and every-day surroundings), these new paintings evolved from having no real reference point or validity. On considering the above concepts and in considering how the Artist knows a piece is complete, the bold step was taken to make cuts into the canvas in a more controlled fashion. This was then restored (or repaired), using the thread, which in delivers another layer of marks on the canvases.
MA Fine Art
Stephen Andrews / Kirsten Archer / Clare Chennells / Caitlin Doherty / Niki Gandy / Aaron Griffin / Rachael Kara Heath / Lisa Holden / Lauren Kate / Edward Kemshell / Sarah Parker / Jessica Pope / Glenys Shirley / Stephen Shirley / Rupert Smithson / Cheryl van Goethem / Emily Williams
MA Art and Design by Research
Wolverhampton School of Art Graduate Showcase 2021
We are delighted to announce our end of year graduate showcase highlighting the work of our final year students in Art, Design and Screen based subjects.
Over the last few weeks we have had a film crew on site in the School of Art recording student experiences and their work. The last year, has undoubtedly been a huge challenge to students and staff in the School of Art. We have found ourselves working at home in make-shift spaces and often with limited materials and kit. Our staff and students have been hugely inventive in finding opportunities and outlets to keep learning live - and this, in itself, is a testament to our creativity and resilience as a sector.
British Art Show 9
22 January - 10 April 2022
We are delighted to announce that the Wolverhampton School of Art has been selected as one of the venues for the prestigious British Art Show 9! In what is a major boost and sign of recognition for arts and culture in Wolverhampton, we are proud to be hosting this prestigious touring exhibition in January 2022.
FEINART Lecture Series
The FEINART LECTURE SERIES will discuss the role, impact, and theoretical implications of socially engaged art. This series of public talks is organized by the Innovative Training Network FEINART (The Future of European Independent Art Spaces in a Period of Socially Engaged Art) jointly led by the Universities of Wolverhampton (coordinator), Zeppelin University (direction of the training programme) University Iceland, and University of Edinburgh.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 860306
