Kingston School of Art showcases next generation of creative innovators at annual Degree Show

Sculptures created from dropped and discarded shopping lists, An innovative collapsible stool and a reimagination of an iconic brutalist building are just some of the student work on show at this year’s Kingston School of Art Degree show. 

Knights Park campus will fling its doors open to industry experts and the local community, with a celebratory opening event on Saturday 7 June from 1pm. The annual event transforms the School of Art into a dynamic gallery showcasing a wide variety of work from the schools of Art, Design, and Creative and Cultural Industries which continues until Friday 13 June. 

This week-long showcase features an eclectic mix of paintings, products, video, photography, and mixed-media exhibits. Visitors can immerse themselves in this celebration of emerging talent, witnessing the unique creativity, innovation and enterprise that defines Kingston's future artists and designers.

One of the students sharing their work at the show is 22-year-old product and furniture design student Eleanor Harper-Colman who has created a collapsible stool which can also be hung on the wall as a decorative item. The piece, which was developed during a project with prestigious British furniture manufacturer Ercol, is designed for smaller homes where space is at a premium. The innovative design utilises detachable stool legs fastened with a bungee cord which can be easily loosened when the stool is not in use.

"The Marionette Stool was designed as an entry level piece to allow Ercol to broaden their market reach and appeal to different consumers. I wanted to create something fun and unique that showcases their high craftsmanship while solving space issues for younger customers in small flats,” she said. “It's aimed at people who want considered design over mass-produced furniture — a starter piece that demonstrates quality craftsmanship while being practical for modern living spaces."

A building designed by James Stirling in the 1970s as a space for Oxford University students is the subject of architecture student David Beugre’s final project which looks to repurpose the listed building as a community space for the people of Oxford. His designs of the Florey Building, a prime example of Brutalist architecture, transform the iconic building into a theatre, arts hub and community centre, integrating the features of the original structure with a dramatic re-imagining of the layout while opening up access to local residents.

"My proposal cuts through the original building to create a public entrance, opening what was once exclusive territory to everyone. The bold red theatre contrasts deliberately with Oxford's traditional limestone palette - I wanted it to be shocking and to demand attention,” the 20-year-old from Hampton, London said. “Rather than another venue for academic display, this becomes a platform for local voices and cultural diversity. The three-tier theatre can host productions that reflect Oxford's real diversity, not just its academic elite.”

Fine art student Olivia Joplin has taken inspiration for her artworks from lost and discarded notes she has discovered dropped in supermarkets, misplaced on streets or left behind after falling out of bags or pockets. She has transformed these crumpled hand-written items, which include shopping lists, scrawled memory reminders and Post-it notes, into large scale sculptural pieces made from metal, MDF and cardboard. These are positioned throughout the Degree Show allowing visitors to follow the trail of messages throughout the exhibition.

“I find the notes on the ground everywhere, I pick up anything that has handwriting on it. I love being able to see so much personality in each note – in this digital age people are still writing things down, and I think that's why I find them so special. By finding these notes, I'm able to connect with that person,” The 20-year-old from San Francisco said. “By making them into bigger paintings, I feel like I'm archiving human nature in a way - I want people to read every single thing on the list and notice the mistakes and spelling." 

Kingston School of Art Dean, Mandy Ure said the Degree Show was a chance to celebrate the achievements of the students, while inviting industry experts, the local community and friends and family to visit Knights Park campus. "Our graduating students have evolved from passionate learners into confident creative practitioners, mastering not only technical excellence but also the critical thinking and innovative problem-solving that define contemporary arts practice,” she said.

“While at Kingston School of Art they have developed the ability to challenge conventions, spark meaningful dialogue, and will contribute to the creative industries that position the UK as a global leader in cultural innovation. Our graduates represent the future in an ever-evolving creative landscape – they leave us as highly sought after students, ready to make their mark across diverse creative sectors."

The physical exhibition is complemented by a custom-designed digital platform where Kingston School of Art students showcase a diverse portfolio of their degree work. This bespoke website features an innovative interface that invites visitors to discover and engage with student projects, creating an enhanced and immersive art show experience.

• Find out more about the Kingston School of Art Degree Show.
• Visit the Degree Show website to see work from the artists.