Graduating fine art students prepare to dive into the art world
Final year fine art students from the University of Leeds have been making waves in the art world with their highly anticipated BA Fine Art Degree Show, Sardines.
Running from 6 to 16 June, Sardines showcased the works of 43 artists who have navigated their academic journey in busy shared studios and collaborative conditions.
Through a diverse array of mediums and expressions, this exhibition revealed the paths these artists are taking from their mutual experiences as students to the world beyond university.
The artists behind Sardines formed a tight, vibrant community of individuals through creating art together over the past few years. They collectively curated an exhibition that playfully celebrated the ways of making and the range of experiences that come from working side by side within shared spaces.
Naomi Marchbank, At Play.2, 2024. Interactive modular sculpture. Sardines BA Fine Art Degree Show, University of Leeds, June 2024. Photo by Andy Lord.
Artworks were united under one roof through the student-led curation of this group show, whilst exploring diverse themes such as satire, protest, femininity, surveillance, extended realities, play and identity.
Sardines launched with a private view on Thursday 6 June, attended by hundreds of guests all wanting to be one of the first to see the incredible range of talent represented in the this year’s degree show. The exhibition extended over three floors in the studio, gallery and social spaces of the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies, incorporating painting, sculpture, film, audio, ceramics, printmaking, virtual reality, interactive installations, curatorial practice and more.
Pieces included Lucas Mitchell’s deconstructed oven – suspended by wires from the studio ceiling – and Naomi Marchbank’s interactive modular sculpture, At Play.2.
Lucas Mitchell's deconstructed oven at the Sardines BA Fine Art Degree Show, University of Leeds, June 2024. Photo by Andy Lord.
Bringing Sardines to life was an all-hands-on-deck endeavour, with the exhibition being independently organised, curated and marketed by dedicated teams of the graduating students who also exhibited their work in the show.
The students’ efforts included devising a cohesive curatorial vision that reflected the diverse talents and perspectives of all 43 participating artists. They meticulously planned the layout and installation of the artworks to create an engaging and thought-provoking experience for visitors.
One of the gallery spaces at the Sardines BA Fine Art Degree Show 2024, University of Leeds. Image shows work by Emilia Bryant, Abby Colclough and Charlotte Hullah. Photo by Andy Lord.
BA Fine Art student Rhiannon Piper is an accomplished oil painter whose practice deeply intertwines with the rich history of art, particularly the techniques and aesthetics of the Baroque period. At the core of her work is a meticulous, self-sufficient process – Rhiannon creates her own paints from dry pigments and prepares her canvases by hand. A member of the marketing and social media team for the show, Rhiannon said:
“The ‘Sardines’ degree show was a celebration of our journey as artists at the University of Leeds. It displayed the diverse paths we have taken and the tight-knit community we built through working together in shared studios. The exhibition highlighted our collective creativity while allowing each artist’s unique voice to shine.
The Artist, Rhiannon Piper, standing next to 'The Artist' at the Sardines BA Fine Art Degree Show, University of Leeds, June 2024. Photo by Andy Lord.
“Marketing Sardines was challenging but showed the importance of flexibility and teamwork. Designing promotional materials and rebranding our social media required detailed planning and quick problem solving. Bringing together over 40 artists under one marketing strategy was tough but rewarding. Ensuring deadlines were met and creating a compelling narrative highlighted the need for clear communication and strategic networking.
“Despite creative conflicts and delays, our diverse perspectives led to a strong, unified campaign, demonstrating how effective marketing can build anticipation and engagement. Ensuring everyone felt heard and valued was vital as we navigated this massive project together, ultimately shaping this show into something we could all be proud of.”
This year's BA Fine Art Degree Show at the University of Leeds brought together over 40 artists under one roof. Photo by Andy Lord.
BA Fine Art with Contemporary Culture student Skye Davies was also a member of the marketing and social media team for the show. Skye’s art practice recreates the multigenerational domestic spaces she grew up around as recollected through memory, working primarily in oil painting and screen-printing hand-drawn wallpapers. Skye said:
“Everyone’s work was so different and uniquely individual to them and their practice as blossoming artists. Seeing everyone’s work altogether, we knew that we couldn’t simply define our cohort as a singular theme or idea. So, with us all packed in the studios and flowing in and around each other’s practice, we came up with the concept of ‘sardines’ – with each one of us all packed in the tin of our art studios and bursting with all these ideas and takes on art that we each have so much to say about.
“The whole process of setting up and creating the degree show – painting, building, having smaller exhibitions and groups – has really bonded us closer together and I can say the cohort feels like one big family.”
Skye Davies, ‘The Hallway’ series, 2024. Featuring: Ecclesborne Lavender, 2024; Pass the Racing Post Ron, 2024; Haydie Boy!, 2024; She’s in a world of her own, you see, 2023; Friar’s Eggnog, 2024; Watch Althea with her pretty lipstick!, 2024; Perch di flowers just deso; 2023; What’s that you doing there Carleen, 2024. Images courtesy of Skye Davies.
Ruth Dodgson, a BA Fine Art student and one of the leaders of the curation team, created work for the show focused on a selection of ‘characters’ representing mythological or mythologised women. Ruth said:
“The curation of this degree show has been a huge team effort of collaboration, compromise and co-operation between 43 incredible and talented artists. The curating team had a huge challenge of arranging the work, so that each individual felt that they had the space to shine.
“I’m happy to say this was successful and it has been exciting to introduce the work of Sardines to the rest of the world. If you work as a team any-fin is possible!”
Visitors to the Sardines BA Fine Art Degree Show view ceramic sculptures by Eleanor Marshall. In the background are paintings by Ruth Dodgson and work by Niamh Warren. Photo by Andy Lord.
BA Fine Art Student Nina Jurewicz’s practice is focused on memory, childhood and the nuances of trauma and ‘indulges in simple illustrations, in imperfection, and in maximalism’. Nina, who also worked in the curation team, added:
“Curating a show for over 40 people is like a puzzle in which the picture on the box changes randomly. It is a challenge and every year students feel the same level of 'oh, we’re close together in the studio and I'm next to someone I didn't choose to be next to', hence the name of the show, Sardines.
“That is not to say it hasn't been fun, as well as hugely satisfying, to help to make the show all come together. It has been great to see so many people coming into the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies to witness us in all our briny, claustrophobic glory.”
Gallery space at the Sardines BA Fine Art Degree Show 2024, showing work by Georgia Bennett, Livia Garrod and Fergus Thomas. Photo by Andy Lord.
Livia Garrod is a material and process-driven multi-media artist, whose current and ongoing Allotment Pots series explores the nature and quality of wild clay. A BA Fine Art student and member of the installation team, Livia said:
“Sardines was formed of a messy, collaborative and experimental group of practitioners, who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to create a seamless and thought-provoking exhibition.”
Untitled (we do not belong here but we have nowhere else to go), 2024, by Jun Rui Lo. Leather ankle boots, rice, clay, sticks, stones, hot-melt adhesive, wire, metal chain, safety pins, key. Sardines BA Fine Art Degree Show, June 2024. Photo by Andy Lord.
Professor Joanne Crawford, Head of the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies, said:
“This year our fine art students came into their final year contemplating their place as both citizens and artists in a complex and uncertain world, whilst at the same time consolidating their collective need to continue as both friends and collaborators beyond the limits of the studio.
“This year’s finalists demonstrated this in their final degree show, Sardines, as both individual and collective responses, articulated through an impressive range of media; provocative, intelligent and searching narratives that always bringing us back to the human need to create.
“We are all so incredibly proud of our final year students and very much enjoyed experiencing the exhibition as part of a celebration of all they have achieved and all they will become.
“Well done you lovely lot, now go show the world what brilliant brave people you are and never flinch from what you bring to the world!”
Guests at the opening night of the Sardines BA Fine Art Degree Show 2024 experience Alex Neish's virtual reality film, Brahman's Rehearsal. Photo by Andy Lord.
Dr Julia McKinlay, Lecturer in Fine Art and module leader for the degree show, said:
“Congratulations to all the Sardines exhibiting artists who curated and installed a beautiful exhibition full of ambitious work.
“It is a huge task to organise an exhibition that you are also exhibiting in – the students who chose to shape the curatorial vision, marketing strategy and branding for the show did this with style and commitment.
“Well done everyone and good luck in your future careers and lives after art school!”
Artworks on display in Project Space at Sardines BA Fine Art Degree Show 2024. In the foreground is 881, 2024: a monoprint on paper by Daisy Grange. In the background is work by Hoyan Pao. Photo by Andy Lord.
Sardines offered a chance for visitors to see what this generation of artists care about and where they are headed.
From provocative paintings to immersive installations, no two artworks were alike yet all represented small fish ready to dive into the big ocean that is the art world.
More information
Sardines ran from 6 to 16 June in the studios and shared spaces of the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies at the University of Leeds.
Visit the Sardines website to find out more about the degree show and each of the 43 artists who took part: sardines.leeds.ac.uk
Follow Sardines on Instagram for a deeper insight into the artists’ practices and works in the show: @sardinesshow
Find out about the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies.
Feature image
Opening night for the Sardines BA Fine Art Degree Show at the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultura Studies, University of Leeds. Photo by Andy Lord.
