spotlight: bucks new university The future of British design shines
Students from Buckinghamshire New University get the opportunity to display their works to the public - to stunning effect
Buckinghamshire New University has a long tradition of providing skills relevant to the furniture industry. Originally founded in 1893 as a School of Science and Art, after the First World War the institution began to provide disabled veterans with skills such as cabinet making, carving and polishing, to help them find work in the numerous furniture factories for which High Wycombe became so well-known.
T
oday, the University is renowned in its field and offers a broad range of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in furniture design and conservation, and has strong links with well-known furniture designers and makers, such as Ercol Furniture, Hands of Wycombe and Verco. Here is an overview of some of the most exciting projects underway right now:
EYE-CATCHING AD DRAWS IN THE CROWDS Talented students at Bucks New University designed an eye-catching advert to publicise the University's end-of-year art and design show - Bucks EYeS. This event was just one of a range of Universities Week activities taking place across the country to demonstrate the benefits of universities within UK society. The 2.1m high wooden structure - designed by BA (Hons) Spatial Design students Charlotte Hetherell, Ben Rose and Dan Martin - was put on display in a Gallery on the ground floor of the High Wycombe Campus, where it could grab the attention of pedestrians. The flexible structure had images of art and design work projected on to its wooden panels promoting the show. Speaking about the project Ben says: “This is the first design brief we have seen produced and it’s exciting to see it created.”
CONTEMPORARY SPIN ON A CLASSIC Examples of a contemporary take on 1950s-style G-Plan chairs were among displays at the end-of- year art and design show. The first-year Furniture: Design and Craft students spent ten weeks constructing and finishing the chairs, which were first made by Ebenezer Gomme at his furniture-making business in High Wycombe around 60 years ago. Year tutor Jim Stewart got the idea to produce
the chairs from The High Wycombe Electronic Furniture Archive, set up and run by Bucks New University, and investigated designs at Wycombe Museum, in Priory Road, before setting students the brief. He says: “The original G-Plan chairs were made just a short distance from the University so it’s a good opportunity for our students to get a firm idea of the kind of work that was carried out by young people 50 or 60 years ago, when High Wycombe was the hub of the UK’s furniture industry.” Student Tim King says: “We’ve all looked to put a contemporary twist on the construction of the chairs while staying true to the traditional ways of making them.”
STRIKING SCULPTURES UNVEILED AT HISTORIC HUGHENDEN MANOR An innovative set of sculptures by Bucks New University art and design students, are exhibiting at the historic Hughenden Manor, near High Wycombe. The eye-catching installation has been designed and built by students from the School of Design, Craft & Visual Arts and will be available for visitors to enjoy for free until 25 September. The students have put together a unique, interactive trail which will lead visitors on a journey of discovery through the gardens of the world-famous former home of ex-British Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli. ‘Sculpture in the Park’ involves 13 works of art placed over ten acres at the site, and organisers hope the exhibition will help Bucks New University build a national reputation for its work.
Cally Shadbolt, studying BA (Hons) Fine 6 Interior Design Today
Art, has designed one of the pieces of work called ‘Target’. This consists of circles mown in the grass and draws inspiration from the World War II target maps on view to the public at the manor. Her work was inspired by Hughenden Manor's role during the war, when it was used as a secret intelligence base code- named Hillside. UK Air Ministry staff based at the manor analysed aerial photography of Germany and created maps for bombing missions, including the famous Dambusters raid.
The work, which has taken five months to complete, has been sponsored by The National Trust and will form part of the ongoing development of links between the organisation and Bucks New University.”
For more information telephone 0800 0565 660 or visit
bucks.ac.uk
Buckinghamshire New University, High Wycombe Campus, Queen Alexandra Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP11 2JZ
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