Liminal Degree Show catalogue 2025

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DEGREE SHOW CATALOGUE

Welcome to

WREXHAM SCHOOL OF ARTS Degree show 2025

Wrexham University

Welcome to Wrexham University’s School of Art Summer Exhibition 2025! Once again, we are bringing our Graduate Student Art Exhibition to the heart of the Wrexham community. In keeping with Wrexham’s artistic traditions—dating back to the 1876 Wrexham Art Treasures Exhibition and continuing through to the recent Wrexham mural art trails—our goal is to make art accessible to a wider audience for the benefit of all in society.

The Art School Exhibition allows us to showcase and share the marvellous and diverse artistic talents of our students, spanning practices from silversmithing to fine art. This Summer Exhibition also helps to forge greater cultural connections between our brilliant students and the wider Wrexham community.

John Dewey, the founder of modern education, emphasised the importance of experiencing art as a medium of communication that enables people to connect across different backgrounds and cultures.

We warmly invite you to enjoy our Art Summer Exhibition at Eagles Meadow. You are also encouraged to visit the School of Art on Regent Street to explore the exhibition programme at Oriel Gosod/Insert Gallery, enjoy a coffee in the foyer café, and browse the art shop.

BODRHYDDAN HALL

POTS, PLANTS & FOOD FESTIVAL ‘25

10AM - 4:30PM SAT 14 JUNE - SUN 15 JUNE 2025

• 80 CERAMIC MAKERS

• PLANT SELLERS

• FOOD VENDERS

• HAVE A GO

• LIVE KILN FIRINGS

•£5 ENTRY

(FREE UNDER 16)

• DOG FRIENDLY

• ENTERTAINMENT

Abergele

to Llandudno Anglesey Caernarfon

BODRHYDDAN HALL

POTS, PLANTS & FOOD FESTIVAL ‘25

10AM - 4:30PM SAT 14 JUNE - SUN 15 JUNE 2025

Bodrhyddan Hall Bodrhyddan Hall

A55

to Chester Wrexham Liverpool

Navigation:

What Three Words: /// chess.collects.heals Sat Nav: LL18 5SB

Bodrhyddan Hall, Dyserth Road, Rhuddlan, Rhyl Denbighshire LL18 5SB

bodrhyddan.co.uk ceramicwales.com

Ceramic Wales was founded by three ceramic artists with the intention of sharing all things clay, showcasing national and international ceramicists. The event began in 2016 at Wrexham University, with three subsequent annual shows, before moving to it’s present location, Bodrhyddan Hall, in 2022.

Bodrhyddan Hall is a grade 1 Listed home that features picturesque gardens, fine art, antique furniture and treasures from Wales to Ancient Egypt. We are delighted to welcome Ceramic Wales back once again, which is one of our favourite events.

SCAN TO BUY YOUR TICKETS

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Animation

Sash Bugeja

BA(HONS) ANIMATION

Growing up in a bilingual household in Malta, Sash found cartoons to be a bridge between languages, allowing them to connect with both family and friends after moving to Canada at an early age. Their appreciation for visual storytelling continued to inspire them into adulthood, pushing them to create animations that transcend language barriers.

Much of Sash’s inspiration comes from day to day lived experience along with their love for fantasy. Their time at university has allowed them to try many forms of animation such as 2D and stop motion, which has helped develop a strong foundation in visual

storytelling and character driven work. Whether drawing inspiration from their love of Dungeons and Dragons or the heartfelt narratives of Steven Universe, Sash strives to create work that marries the fantastical with the deeply personal.

For their final project, Sash is stepping outside their comfort zone by exploring motion graphics—an unfamiliar yet exciting challenge. Previous projects exposed their love for background work, and this project only demonstrates that further as they combine this with a passion for concept art to create striking imagery.

Rhys Conde-Wood BA(HONS) ANIMATION

Rhys is a passionate animator who specialises in both 2D animation and stop motion. From a young age Rhys has been intrigued by the concept of bringing characters and objects to life through animation and began practicing with stop motion on his dad’s computer. This eventually led him into practicing other formats and methods as well as gaining the ambition to pursue animation as a career. Rhys believes that Animation is a unique method of visual storytelling that gives creators the ability to tell incredible stories and engage audiences in a brandnew world; by using a strong and

distinct visual style and aesthetic, animators are able to create a form of expression through movement, which can influence feeling and emotion in viewers.

Rhys also takes inspiration from watching a large collection of animated feature films and short films made by different animators across the world from different countries and backgrounds. A few of Rhys’s favourite animated films include: The Hand by Jiří Trnka, The Man Who Planted Trees by Frédéric Back, Fantastic planet by René Laloux, and Bubble Bath by György Kovásznai.

Faith Darlington BA(HONS) ANIMATION

Faith is a digital animator who uses a variety of software offering an endless amount of creativity to make compelling and imaginative animations. At the start of her university course three years ago, they’ve been able to look at different techniques and disciplines like graphic design and illustration, but found they have a passion for animation. Their work takes upon an organised approach, sketching out the key frames and backgrounds separately to make the animating process streamlined and efficient.

She has always loved to be creative, but somewhere along the way drawing with mediums like pencils or pens became less and less appealing. Being able

to not only add movement to her characters but also have the creative freedom to create her art digitally has brought that love for drawing back for her.

Her work explores themes of the environment, such as wildlife and biodiversity, with the most recent project looking at the animals effected by deforestation in the UK. The animation looks to educate people on what we could do differently to help the environment and keep the UK wildlife thriving. Their animations take upon a simplistic, yet vibrant visual style characterized by bold lines and bright colours seeking to create fun and heartwarming artwork that make others smile.

Seren Modwenna Hughes BA(HONS) ANIMATION

Seren is an animator with a big interest in character design and bringing characters to life by storytelling. This ability to create characters and build fictional worlds works as her conduit of escapism.

She tends to use digital mediums for her artwork which allow her to further explore her skills, techniques and the creative process as a whole – using a variety of different software has helped her determine where her animation strengths are presented to their fullest.

From a young age, she has been

highly interested in animations that feature intriguing character design and storytelling and has been keen to produce projects of a similar nature featuring her own characters and stories. She also seeks inspiration from the animated features that were produced in the 1960’s and 1970’s. The use of bright colours and odd storylines instantly attracted her to the idea of producing animated features in a similar fashion. Seren sees a bright future for animation and hopes to seize the opportunity to play a big role in the future of the art form.

David Moreira BA(HONS) ANIMATION

David is a passionate and skilled 2D animator, with some experience in 3D animation and graphic design. Since he was seven, he has had a deep passion for animation, inspired by the incredible storytelling and the magical worlds of Disney and anime. Over the years, he has perfected his craft, learning new techniques and improving his artistic vision.

David creates engaging character designs and immersive stories that connect with the audience. His imagination is always evolving, and he enjoys discovering new ways to

improve upon his existing work. He values constant growth and puts effort into refining his unique artistic style, ensuring his work stands out.

Following his studies in his degree, he hopes to establish himself in the animation industry and build himself up as a respected professional. His dream is to create animations that move people, tell meaningful stories, and leave a strong impression. Through his distinctive style and creative storytelling, he aims to bring originality and fresh ideas to the industry.

Molly Morris BA(HONS) ANIMATION

Molly’s passion for animation started at an early age watching 2D animated cartoons such as Tom and Jerry, Looney Tunes and SpongeBob. In this particular format of the art form, she was drawn in by the bold thick outlines alongside the contrasting bright colours and adventurous character designs. This in turn sparked a connection and love for wanting to create her own animated shorts taking inspiration from this style. Molly’s work reflects her love for comedy cartoons, showing a

dedication to making the audience laugh, as well as allowing them to relate easily to her content by finding fun in the mundane everyday situation.

Throughout her time in Wrexham University, she has been able to find her creative developments and love specifically for storytelling and character designs. This has created a burning passion for taking a drawn picture and bringing it to life with fluid facial movements and well-synced sound effects.

Efan Owen BA(HONS) ANIMATION

From a young age, Efan found great enjoyment in watching animated films. One in particular had a large influence over his initial pursuit into animation as a career, the first of the “Curious George” film saga (2006). With the use of breathtaking traditional hand drawn animation, and a mixture of bright colour schemes and characters brimming with personality, it managed to convey a visually engaging and playful atmosphere while having a serious

undertone speckled throughout. This animated film served as an inspiration for Efan to pursue and specialize in 2D Animation throughout his time at Wrexham University. He strives to draw out the emotions of the characters in his projects to show just how intriguing and interesting they can become. By doing so he hopes that his animated stories become just as captivating as that animated film he watched growing up.

Megan Williams BA(HONS) ANIMATION

Megan is an aspiring 2D animator who works primarily through the use of digital art software and its many capabilities. This form of storytelling through motion has fascinated her since she first discovered it in her early teens.

Drawing has always been an important part of Megan’s life since a very early age and has been a major outlet for her to use her imagination to the fullest. When it comes to personal projects, she typically takes influence from fantasy and the paranormal, allowing her to explore exciting and peculiar concepts.

Megan hopes to use her work to spark discussions about serious and complex topics, like the struggles of fitting in and life after

death. She achieves these goals by weaving ideas into immersive, imaginative stories involving a welldesigned, appealing, and relatable cast of characters.

Megan’s latest project, “Seasonal Beverage,” diverges in both format and purpose compared to her previous works, but it still plays into her love for character design. The project output is a collection of sequences meant for a coffeehouse chain advertisement campaign suitable for an inclusive modern audience. It features a diverse cast of characters, each based on different coffee drinks, engaging in various activities in each of the four seasons. It was the music video for Blur’s “Coffee and TV” that inspired her approach to this project.

Applied

Matilda Bethelford BA(HONS) APPLIED ART

I combine traditional silversmithing techniques with a fused inlay technique that I have developed from traditional mokume gane metalsmithing methods. Creating one off painterly patterns and designs in copper and brass sheet, I then form and construct 3D hollow form objects that can be versatile in use and beautiful in rest. Tactility is fundamental to my work and my major aim is to create objects which invite curiosity and interaction.

Tina Blom

BA(HONS) APPLIED ART

I am a Swedish artist with seven years of formal art education, currently living and studying in the UK for the past three years.

My creative journey began with realistic portrait drawing as a teenager, later expanding into painting, and now ceramics – my main focus for the past four years.

My sculptural work explores abstract forms inspired by human spines, repetitive tapering shapes, and flowing curves. I incorporate organic patterns found in nature, playing on the fine line between

the familiar and the abstract. Each sculpture is designed to be visually engaging from every angle, inviting the viewer to explore its threedimensional presence.

Alongside my own practice, I teach ceramics, running hand-building courses and leading throwing taster sessions. Creating is my greatest passion– it is both meditative and fulfilling. I dream of building a space where artists can come together, share their passion, and inspire one another.

Remy Comer BA(HONS) APPLIED ART

My work has been inspired by city-scapes and modernist architecture. I have created a series of small vessels using traditional silver smithing techniques, namely scoring and soldering copper sheet. As my primary focus is with buildings with curved, tiled surfaces, I etched my design in to the surface of the metal before adding colour. This technique is called vitreous enamelling, whereby ground glass is heated to melt temperature to adhere to the surface of the metal.

As an eclectic artist, I appreciate the interaction between positive and negative spaces through mixed media. My work embraces the contrast of form and texture, creating a visual interest that challenges perceptions and invites reflection. By layering materials and techniques, I push boundaries to evoke both tension and harmony. My art is an exploration of balance, between chaos and order, light and shadow, encouraging viewers to engage with the unseen as much as the seen, inviting them to discover new meanings in the spaces in between.

Ceri Jones

BA(HONS)

APPLIED ART

Ceri Jones is an artist who is passionate about creating unique and beautiful hand-made sculptural ceramics inspired by the coast. Her focus is on bringing the art of ceramics and the spirit of the coast together, through her distinct and bespoke designs.

Working from her small home studio in rural Cheshire, Ceri works with stoneware clays, exploring texture and colour, with a focus on clay bodies, stains, and oxides, bringing together the textured blends, taking inspiration from all the perfect imperfections that nature has to offer; the essence of which echoes throughout her work.

Nic Stace BA(HONS) APPLIED ART

Through hand-built ceramic forms, I explore the shifting emotional landscapes that come with getting older — the contradictions, the uncertainties, and the quiet resilience. From one angle they may appear tentative or vulnerable, while from another they may carry an air of strength or defiance. This duality reflects the ever-changing nature of how we feel and how we present ourselves to the world. I create interchangeable heads that sit on the forms. They are deliberately without expression,

allowing space for the viewer to bring their own interpretations. Inspired by nostalgic memories, contemplative walks, and humour, my process is both intuitive and reflective. I combine both hand building and slip casting techniques to make the heads. I often incorporate textures and marks to the surfaces of my work which are an immediate reaction to how I am feeling at the time. Juxtaposing smooth and rough textures mirrors the complexities of human emotion and the multifaceted nature of identity.

In my work I experiment with traditional pottery techniques, I try and utilise these techniques, such as throwing, carving, and glaze techniques, and combine them in ways that showcase a unique contrast of colour and texture. Currently, I have been working on ideas involving throwing vessels on the potters wheel and combining

them with sculptural bases to create pieces that are functional as well as decorative.

I was initially inspired by how insects create delicate, intricate cocoons nestled in rough and unforgiving environments. This lead me to create soft, simplistic forms nestled in harsh, complex bases to emulate this idea

Madeleine Vale

I draw upon my experience as a burlesque performer. The art of burlesque is a playful fusion of sensuality, humour, and narrative, it’s this that ignites my passion to express the storytelling behind the performance.

In my work I use terracotta clay, coloured slips and glaze. On my platters I draw using sgraffito to carve out the curvy shapes of my dancer and weave together the intricate layers of burlesque, using layers of slip, like watercolour,

to mirror the choreography with movement and texture. The use of a slip trailer, creates sweeping lines and delicate details using dots of slip as a visual language that emulates the passion and energy on stage.

Having spent many years out on sketching trips with my father, I incorporate these mark making skills into my work with a sense of movement and balance, using clay as my canvas.

Elena Vasileva BA(HONS) APPLIED ART

Elena’s work explores contrast through the combination of different metals, primarily sterling silver,brass, and copper. By soldering these materials together, she highlights their inherent colour differences, further enhancing the effect through surface treatments such as sanding, polishing, and patination. Beyond material contrasts, her work is deeply rooted in the idea of perception. The carefully considered shapes of her pieces create shifting illusions when viewed from different angles, challenging the viewer’s gaze. This exploration stems from her interest in dualism and human behaviour – how the same object can be perceived differently depending on perspective. Through her work, Elena invites the audience to reconsider the nature of perception and the fluidity of interpretation.

Will Whitmore

My work is an exploration of the raw and geometric style of Brutalist architecture. I’m inspired by the monumental scale and unembellished surfaces of Brutalism. I aim to capture its essence by focusing on material honesty, structural forms and the interplay between mass and texture. The slab building technique has been pivotal in this exploration, not only for its architectural alignment with Brutalist principles but also for its accessibility. Living with rheumatoid arthritis has influenced my choice of technique, leading me to a method that supports large, flat surfaces and sharp edges without the physical strain of alternative processes. This adaptive approach has allowed me to maintain creative control while working within personal physical

limitations. Throughout this body of work, I investigate the relationship between form, function, and material. Some pieces lean towards functional ceramicsvessels and structures that could exist within utilitarian spaces-while others embrace a purely sculptural presence. The contrast between rigid, geometric forms and the organic quality of clay serves as a metaphor for the tension between architecture’s imposing nature and the human experience within these spaces. By reinterpreting Brutalism in clay, my work invites viewers to reconsider both architecture and ceramics-questioning how material, form, and function intersect in art and design. It is a dialogue between strength and vulnerability, permanence and decay, and the personal and the architect.

Fine Art

Tracey Arnold BA(HONS) FINE ART

I make sculptural installations which grow from a process whereby bowl-like forms are made from porcelain slip and presented alongside the subsidiary artefacts which also result; the moulds, clay fragments, floor coverings and stands used when casting.

I exploit the tension between the methodical, meditative process of making the casts, and the spontaneous decisions made when

releasing them from their cocoonlike moulds. Using James Turrell’s Skyscapes as an inspiration, my installations use natural light to animate the emergent forms. I see my creative process as a cycle. As each piece resolves itself into being, a wealth of possibilities are suggested by the cast-off shells and materials left over; fertile ground for the next form to gestate.

Grace Davies

BA(HONS) FINE ART

I make acrylic paintings and pencil drawings depicting colours and repetitive shapes and patterns. The images I create have a meditative quality to them, I draw inspiration from artists like Hilma af Klint, Agnes Martin and Lindsey Way.

The art I make has a calmness to it due to its predictability but is also overwhelming because of its relentlessness.

“The embrace”

This work explores the intersection of eco-feminism and maternal strength, drawing on the nurturing, protective and restorative qualities associated with Mother Earth. I take an interdisciplinary approach embracing acrylic and oil paints, pigment sticks, wadding and stitched elements. These elements help to evoke the softness of a maternal embrace. The act of stitching recalls traditional domestic labour, and the care

embedded in making for others. Areas of tear and repair evoke the quiet endurance of the maternal figure – the continual giving through sacrifice, wear and strain. The work is an immersive environment, engulfing and reflective. Through gesture, form and material, this piece considers the role of the feminine in ecological and emotional restoration.

Molly Evans BA(HONS) FINE ART

The work in this exhibition explores my interest in and affinity with the form and colour of certain household objects. I combine found glass objects, concrete/ foam sculptures and mixed media paintings to develop my understanding of these objects; the work grows under tensionpulled between the opposing drives of my love of exuberance, tempered by my desire for simplicity. The push and pull between these forces manifests as distortion, adding complexity to household items that could otherwise be overlooked.

Harriett Evison

BA(HONS) FINE ART

As an installation artist I combine textiles and plastics to build pieces which utilise the qualities of my chosen materials together with light.

The work of Rebecca Louise Law & Jee Young Lee are a key influence on my desire to make work that the audience enters into and becomes enveloped within. I invite the viewer into a constructed “world”, which offers parallels with natural phenomena

such as plant growth and bees’ visual perception of flowers. Scale and perception is shifted within this meta environment. It presents the possibility to question subjects of growth and order within the natural world, and to consider definitions of natural and man-made as we move further into the era of global environmental catastrophe as hyper-objects.

Megan Martin

FINE ART

My practice is predominantly motivated by the rigidity of the education system and what my experiences and research show to be an inherent lack of support, inclusion and flexibility for those with additional needs. In this body of work, my sculptures explore themes of perfection, conformity, and individuality, responding to the way in which society pushes people to fit a

certain mould and meet predetermined expectations. Through manual assembly with cardboard and the more industrial process of porcelain slip-casting, I have created forms that contrast structure and uniformity with fragility and imperfection, mirroring the conflict between societal pressure and individualism.

Mya Roberts BA(HONS) FINE ART

My practice involves the investigation of sites and the documentation of these places in a manner which renders them more mysterious, opening the possibility for an increased sense of the uncanny.

I then use painting to investigate and create fictional liminal spaces which explore sensations of unease further.

I am fascinated by the ability of these new paintings and images to take an everyday location and turn it into an enchanting artefact.

Hannah Sadler BA(HONS) FINE ART

My work explores the Gothic genre, through painting and sculpture, as well as textual analysis on the subtext and impact of vampiric characters and narratives.

The images and objects I construct evoke various characters and tropes to explore societal attitudes to desire and taboos.

In addition to the literary

references, the narrative paintings and related busts draw influence from Didier Vermeiren and Hieronymus Bosch. The illustrations accompanying the texts reference the works Marcel Dzama that show snapshots into complex world building.

The pieces are grouped within an installation that encourages multiple points of access to these stories.

I use drawing as a means to investigate themes of life and death. I manipulate graphite and charcoal, using highly controlled lines and varying levels of tone to visualise complex forms that I want. The tattoo industry, along with artists like Vlad Gradobyk and Joe Fenton are key references in my practice. In addition, I am fascinated by the geometrical and

psychological resonances of bones.

I explore these resonances through detailed, yet simple compositions in which forms interlock into arrangements of positive and negative space, which these spaces hold an equilibrium with each other and are open to the viewers interpretation.

Ffion Travis BA(HONS) FINE ART

Ffion Travis is a collage artist whose work centres around the transformation of used window envelopes into powerful visual statements. By repurposing old, found envelopes, Travis creates compositions that challenge themes of communication, memory, and the purpose of lived objects.

The envelope, as a vessel for communication, serves as a literal and metaphorical foundation for her work.

By repurposing gleaned stationary, Travis builds compositions which explore themes of communication, memory, and history. Narratives coalesce and fracture as the process of collage acts upon

these readymade materials and images.

Travis reimagines the envelope not only as a functional object to address mail to others, but as a medium to challenge the viewer to reconsider the obsolete materials in everyday life, while also initiating reflection on how the intimate act of sending and receiving can leave a lasting impact.

Through experimentation, Travis is intrigued by the intimacy implied by the sealing and opening of the envelope. Travis uses the motif of the address window as a framing device to focus the viewer’s attention on the layers of history which accrue within these simple paper structures.

Graphic Design

Kirsty Robinson BA(HONS) GRAPHIC DESIGN

Kirsty is a mother of five whose creative journey has been deeply shaped by her children. Their imagination and curiosity continue to influence her design approach, giving her creativity a clear sense of purpose and direction. Currently studying graphic design, Kirsty is developing a practice centred on branding, visual storytelling, and emotionally engaging experiences. She is especially interested in family-focused and educational design, where creativity becomes a tool for connection.

For a recent university project, she created Bud, a family-focused app that encourages outdoor exploration. Inspired by Montessori

and Reggio Emilia principles, the app reflects her passion for nature-based learning and offers a platform to showcase her skills in brand identity and personality. Kirsty has also gained hands-on experience through freelance work, creating logos, websites, and brand identities for small businesses. One of her most rewarding projects was helping develop the brand identity for a forest school nursery. These real-world experiences have helped her refine her storytelling abilities, build meaningful client relationships, and bring unique ideas to life through thoughtful design.

Illustration

Theo Coulson BA(HONS) COMICS

Theo is a comic artist who primarily focuses on writing stories featuring LGBT+ and neurodivergent characters. These stories are often set in Wales and reflect his interest in nature.

Illustration and storytelling began as a way for Theo to creatively express and understand his feelings as an autistic trans man. They now serve as a means for him to share his love of graphic novels with others and provide the opportunity to create stories that represent communities he wishes he had seen in media growing up. Theo creates his comic pages

using digital software, which allows him to experiment with techniques and styles that best express his ideas. He enjoys creating comics as it allows him to combine many of his artistic interests into one project, as the planning and creation of a comic requires research, creative writing, worldbuilding, and character design before drawing begins. Theo’s current project is a comic extract from a longer story about a trans ice hockey player who comes out and learns to find support from his teammates and the community around him.

Emily Morgan BA(HONS) COMICS

Emily Morgan is a digital artist and illustrator with a focus on comics. Several of her works draw inspiration from her Welsh heritage and her interest in portraying the everyday lives of people. She has explored a variety of genres, including slice of life, drama, historical, sci-fi, fantasy, and educational. Emily is eager to experiment with different genres and aims to create a diverse collection of stories spanning multiple styles and themes. Character design plays a significant role in the stories she tells, with careful attention given to the personalities and dynamics of

her characters. After discovering webcomics, Emily developed a passion for the medium and was inspired to create her own. Through each comic she has created, Emily has continuously refined her skills and learned how to improve both her storytelling and illustration techniques. She remains committed to growing her artistic abilities and producing work that she is proud of. Her ultimate goal is to create artwork and narratives that resonate with her audience, and she hopes they will join her on her journey into the industry and beyond.

Leon Taylor-Lynch BA(HONS) COMICS

As a comics writer and illustrator, Leon draws inspiration from the stories they consume, primarily long-form fiction, fantasy, and tragedy. They blend these influences with personal beliefs, experiences, and tropes to create narratives they would love to read themselves. Much of Leon’s work centres on a pair of characters and their interpersonal struggles as they affect and are affected by the wider world of their stories. A recurring theme in their storytelling is the transformation of childhood friends into adversaries, often driven apart by irreconcilable differences or manipulation that places them on opposing sides of a conflict.

Leon’s preferred working method involves photographing themselves

or peers in the required poses, then digitally rotoscoping over the images. They enhance the illustrations with backgrounds and effects as needed.

This process has been carefully refined across several projects to move away from the uncanny and toward a more stylised, expressive aesthetic.

During their time at university, Leon wrote the first issues of two original comics: Of Redbirds and Nests, a fantasy narrative, and Ad Nauseum, a work of fiction and mystery.

After university, Leon aims to continue developing Ad Nauseum until its conclusion, before returning to Of Redbirds and Nests with new skills and a fresh perspective.

Oliver Clarkson BA(HONS) ILLUSTRATION

Oliver is currently studying Illustration at Wrexham University and focuses on creating works in various media, such as paint, print, and ink. The unifying element across his work is a series of distinct, personified pigeon characters, which he uses to parody aspects of popular culture or to create original pieces and cartoons in both ink and digital formats. These works can be found on his website, www.pigey.art, and

on Instagram at @pigey_art. His most recent project was completed in response to a brief from the Didcot Railway Museum in Oxford, which commissioned a large display on climate change and coal emissions, designed to be engaging and accessible for children. In addition to this, Oliver has also been producing work for an external exhibition at the HIVE Gallery in Shrewsbury, as part of the Creative Futures module.

Bunni Gigante BA(HONS) ILLUSTRATION

Bunni is an illustrator who has been passionate about drawing for as long as she can remember. From an early age, she was captivated by Japanese art, particularly anime, which has had a lasting influence on her artistic style. Over the years, she has honed her skills while transitioning from traditional to digital art, developing a distinctive voice that blends the charm of anime and a cute aesthetic with her own unique perspective.

Driven by her love for creativity, Bunni actively shares her artistic journey with others. As a freelance illustrator, she has cultivated a growing community around her

work, connecting with fellow artists and art enthusiasts. Through platforms such as Twitch, Pinterest, and other social media channels, she aims to inspire others to explore their own creativity and encourage others to improve their skills.

Bunni’s greatest ambition is to continue creating art that brings joy and inspiration to others, while fostering a positive and supportive community where people can learn, grow, and create together. For her, making art is not just about aesthetics, it’s about sharing happiness and building something meaningful along the way.

Anya Lewis BA(HONS) ILLUSTRATION

Anya Lewis is a traditional artist who primarily works with watercolour, though she occasionally explores digital art to expand her creative practice. Her style leans toward the whimsical and childlike, featuring bright colours, playful characters, and cosy scenes that feel as though they’ve been lifted from the pages of a storybook. She enjoys creating artwork that evokes a sense of magic and nostalgia, pieces that remind viewers of childhood joys or long-forgotten daydreams. Watercolour is her preferred medium due to the way it gradually builds a scene, allowing for delicate layering and subtle transitions.

She finds the blending and fluidity of the colours both mesmerising and soothing. While most at home with a brush in hand, Anya also embraces digital tools as a way to experiment and bring her ideas to life in new and exciting ways. At the heart of her practice is a desire to capture a sense of wonder. Whether she’s illustrating tiny forest creatures, mythical Welsh monsters, or quiet, dreamlike landscapes, Anya hopes her work offers viewers a moment of escape, a gentle reminder to stay connected with the childlike curiosity we all carry. Above all, she aims to create art that is joyful, imaginative, and fun.

Kaylea Louise Lewis-Furini

BA(HONS) ILLUSTRATION

Kaylea is an illustrator inspired by a diverse range of art genres, both traditional and digital. She is passionate about creating atmosphere for her audience through tension and emotional impact. During her time at Wrexham, Kaylea has not only acquired new skills but also worked to refine existing ones, such as working with various media for traditional art and learning how to use technical software.

Kaylea is particularly fascinated by horror, thriller, sci-fi, fantasy, and mystery. She finds the unknown intriguing, as it challenges her

audience to think divergently and consider ideas they might not typically entertain. She draws inspiration from many manga artists in the industry, with two recent influences being Haro Aso, a puzzle-thriller mangaka, and Junji Ito, a renowned horror mangaka. Kaylea’s ultimate career goal is to become a concept artist for a gaming company, with a focus on character design, final renders, and landscapes. She also has a deep passion for creatures and hopes to one day publish her own comic, titled Indifference.

Chloe-Louise Mills BA(HONS) ILLUSTRATION

Chloe-Lou is an illustrator with a passion for colour, shape, and texture. With years of experience in a Fine Art background, they believe that artists should draw inspiration from all areas of the creative world, applying skills learned in other creative sectors to the design industry.

As a designer, Chloe-Lou has developed a deep appreciation for branding and product design, incorporating a looser, more expressive illustrative technique into their graphics and pattern design work. They are also deeply

passionate about printmaking, specialising in traditional techniques such as lino carving and etching. These methods have enabled them to create a diverse range of imagery, from natural forms to character illustrations for magazine publications during their time at university.

Colour and detail are always central to Chloe-Lou’s practice, ensuring that each piece is visually engaging and enjoyable. Above all, they strive to create work that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also meaningful.

Lydia Popland-Wheeler BA(HONS) ILLUSTRATION

Lydia is an emerging illustrator currently studying Illustration at Wrexham University. She has a strong passion for all forms of illustration, with a particular interest in character design and storytelling. With access to a wide range of creative software, such as Procreate, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Fresco, and Clip Studio Paint, Lydia has developed confidence in navigating the tools commonly used within the industry today. Her willingness to experiment with new techniques and platforms has allowed her to push beyond her comfort zone, exploring a

variety of art styles and adapting her work for different audiences. Lydia’s passion for illustration began at a young age, driven by a love for creating new worlds and characters that feel alive, even in still images.

Major inspirations in her creative journey include anime, Webtoons, and novels - mediums that shaped her imagination and encouraged her to believe in storytelling without limitations. This passion has only grown, continuing to fuel her artistic development and drive to create.

Ruth Toner BA(HONS) ILLUSTRATION

Ruth Toner is an illustrator specialising in character-driven and fantasy art. Taking inspiration from folklore and mythology, with dragons as a particularly common motif, they combine these themes with their experience of the real world to create characters who feel real despite their fantastical settings. Detailed linework or digital rendering are the focus of most of their illustrations. They often use both their linework and rendered styles to explore monochromatic art and how a limited colour palette can push an artwork creatively, using shape, shadow, and contrast, rather than

colour, to tell the illustrations’ story. Ruth’s most recent project has involved designing record sleeves, translating the ideas and stories of a song into an image that represents its themes. The visual metaphors on the record sleeves aim to explore the use of subtlety in visual communication techniques, capturing abstract ideas in bold visuals. In the future, Ruth aspires to continue telling stories that explore folklore, fantasy, and identity through their illustrations, with particular interest in book illustration, fantasy character design, and comics.

Photography

Jemma Durr is a photographer specialising in still life and portraiture. Her work explores texture, colour, and composition, often drawing inspiration from nature and everyday objects. She carefully considers light and detail to create images that are both expressive and balanced.

Working primarily with digital photography, Jemma enjoys the contrast between black and white tones and the energy of bold colour. Her images aim to evoke emotion and celebrate the beauty in simple, often overlooked moments.

Sara Encantado BA(HONS) PHOTOGRAPHY

Sara is a photographer whose work explores the emotional depth of human experience. Working primarily with a focus on black and white imagery, she uses the interplay of light and contrast to create atmosphere and evoke emotion. Her practice often engages with themes such as mental health, trauma, and the lasting impact of domestic abuse. These subjects are approached with care and honesty, informed by personal

experience. Alongside this, Sara also finds meaning in capturing moments of joy and connection –from newborn sessions to family and maternity portraits – offering a sense of balance within her work.

For Sara, photography is more than image-making; it’s a way to tell stories that might otherwise remain unseen. Her aim is to create work that feels genuine and personal, inviting viewers to engage with the emotions and narratives embedded in each frame.

Lauren Forward BA(HONS) PHOTOGRAPHY

Lauren is a photographer with a passion for creative image-making, drawn to experimental techniques that challenge the boundaries of traditional photography. Her project Crystals is inspired by the bold forms and intricate patterns of abstract and geometric art, particularly the use of distinctive

shapes. To create the series, she layered fragments from textured photographs, assembling them into crystal-like structures. Each piece is intentionally unique, symbolizing the individuality and organic diversity found in natural crystal formations.

Fearne Landon BA(HONS) PHOTOGRAPHY

My name is Fearne and I use photography as a medium to explore concepts which feel personal to both myself and the viewer. My project Real Me presents a series of images that reflect universally relatable themes through a playful tone to offer unique depictions of the emotions we can experience throughout life. Inspired by Korean rapper RM’s album Right Place, Wrong Person, which explores themes of feeling

lost, self-acceptance, and human connection; and the figurine character Hirono, created by contemporary artist Lang, who embodies human emotions and experiences through its artistic forms – Real Me delves into ideas of belonging, growth and identity in the face of change and societal expectations. It invites viewers to discover their own meaning in the imagery – or simply enjoy its visual narrative.

Gog Grounds is a photographic series documenting grassroots football grounds across North Wales and the communities that sustain them. These spaces, often maintained by volunteers and supported by local pride rather than profit, are more than just playing fields – they’re gathering places that reflect the character, resilience, and spirit of their towns. While they may lack the polish of professional stadiums, they hold a deeper connection to place, tradition, and community. The project spotlights some of the most visually striking and atmospherically rich grounds in the

region. In Broughton, the thunder of the Airbus Beluga overhead creates a surreal backdrop to matchday routines. In Blaenau Ffestiniog, slate mountains loom over the pitch, a stark reminder of the town’s industrial heritage. In Conwy, the sea brushes up against the ground’s edge, blending sport with landscape in a uniquely Welsh setting. This series is both a celebration and a preservation of the deeply local world of Welsh grassroots football – where every ground tells a story, and every game is rooted in a shared sense of place.

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