Necessity is The Mother of Invention - Leeds Beckett Degree Show

Necessity is The Mother of Invention is a showcase of work from the graduating students of Leeds Beckett University across the Art, Architecture and Design disciplines. The exhibition runs from 5th - 12th June in the Faculty of Arts, Environment and Technology, Leeds Beckett University. With the open evening commencing on the 5th with wine, cocktails, pizza and music it was a great opportunity to see what the exhibition had to offer. The buildings were packed with the elated graduating students and eager visitors coming to see what they have been working towards for the past year.

As a Fine Art Student I was interested to see what work the Leeds Beckett Fine Artists had produced and how they had decided to exhibit it. There was plenty of great work to see including painting, drawing, sculpture, instillation and performance (one student was indeed tattooing herself in the name of art). Through the horde of people also hungry to see the art I managed to get photographs of some of my personal favourites.

Rebecca Morris

Philipa Eason

Emma Hodgson

Tom Grant

Libiena Borkovec

Hannah Murray

Joel Mumby

Laura Joyce

I really enjoyed the Fine Art exhibition; there was some superb work with fresh ideas. Being in the painting strand I loved looking at the paintings. Libiena Borkovec and Hannah Murray's work caught my eye the most. Borkovec's style of painting with bright colours trapped within layers of resin stood out to me as it was something I hadn't thought about before. I also really admired the flesh tones achieved by Murray's nude paintings, as the human form is something I really struggle to paint. 

As well as the great paintings there were some really interesting sculptures and instillations like Philipa Eason's pink and glittery mound of objects such as funnels, cheese graters and empty cupcake wrappers. To me though the most interesting piece was Emma Hodgson's Anatomy of a kitchen that explored the concept of juxtaposing the body and object to create disconcerting union. The instillation was composed of human forms taken out of context, framed within a kitchen environment, making for a creepy space to walk into.

These are just a tiny selection of what is in the Fine Art Show never mind the other disciplines exhibiting alongside it! If you are around Leeds between the 5th and 12th June and have some free time I would recommend popping to see the degree show as there is ample of alluring work to see.