Morley hosts 10 Exhibitions in 10 Weeks 

Morley has had an amazing run over the past ten weeks since June with a series of ten diverse exhibitions for The Artists of Morley series. Each show highlighted the incredible talent developed at Morley, from painting and photography to ceramics and jewellery. 

Each exhibition was staged in record time  – so hats off to the professionalism of the Morley gallery team! These are some of the highlights of these fantastic exhibitions: 

A Brush with Paint 

The series began with A Brush with Paint, a group exhibition of contemporary paintings from this year’s Advanced Painting course, taught by Steve Wright. The exhibition featured a variety of styles, from lyrical landscapes to imaginative pieces envisioning a future integrated with Artificial Intelligence. Each work represented a personal journey, and the transformative power of a brush loaded with paint. 

Learning Disability Photography 

The gallery presented an exhibition of works from the Photography for Adults with Learning Disabilities class, which has been running since September 2023. This showcase celebrated the achievements of students who, as total beginners, learned to articulate and express their thoughts through photography. The exhibition highlighted how mutual respect and trust within the class have fostered significant personal development and self-esteem. 

Ornament | The De Beers Group Scholarship 

The intricate world of jewellery with Ornament, featuring creations by Level 2 Jewellery Certificate students preparing for professional careers. This exhibit was paired with works by the De Beers Group scholars—Shirley Nelson, Ayesha Sureya, Ella Bonomi and India Lawrence – who have honed their skills and developed their businesses with generous funding from the De Beers Group.

Ceramics End of Year 

The ceramics department showcased its Ceramics End of Year exhibition – a culmination of two years of exploration and learning. The display included a variety of thrown, cast, and hand-built creations, demonstrating innovative uses of materials and concepts. The exhibition also featured exceptional work from HNC Ceramics students, celebrating their year-long journey of skill development. 

Eye & Hand: Ceramics, Glass, Jewellery, and Interior Design 

Eye & Hand highlighted the creative process of students at the North Kensington Centre for Skills. This exhibition offered a diverse collection of ceramics, glass, jewellery, and interior design pieces, each reflecting the unique artistic journey of its creator. The works combined traditional and non-traditional techniques, showcasing the students’ ability to transcend genre boundaries. 

Catharsis 

In a collaborative spirit, Catharsis was co-curated by Chelsea Centre’s teaching staff and students. This comprehensive exhibition featured interdisciplinary works, including painters collaborating with sound artists and fashion designers working with photographers. The projects illustrated the students’ ability to navigate and merge different artistic fields, preparing them for careers in the creative industries. 

Textiles End of Year Show 

The Textiles End of Year Show displayed the personal final projects of Textile Foundation.  On the course students developed their skills and passion for textiles, creating works using traditional, contemporary, and experimental techniques. The exhibition represented two terms of dedicated learning and making. 

Photology 2024: Higher Education Photography End of Year Show 

Photology 2024 celebrated the accomplishments of photography students.  This year marked a historic moment for Morley, with five mature students graduating with a BA top-up in Photography. Their works were displayed alongside those from HNC/HND programs, showcasing a rich diversity of talent and perspectives. 

UAL Foundation in Art & Design End of Year Show 

The UAL Foundation in Art & Design End of Year Show concluded a year of intensive study for Foundation students. This exhibition demonstrated their ability to generate ideas, develop critical thinking, and experiment with new concepts. The works on display also served as portfolios for higher education or further study applications, highlighting their preparedness for future academic and professional pursuits. 

Morley Millinery Collaboration with The Culture Trust, Luton 

The final exhibition featured an extraordinary collaboration between Morley Millinery students and The Culture Trust, Luton. Guided by Yona Lesger, students explored traditional hats from around the world, drawing inspiration from the Trust’s extensive collection. Under the guidance of lecturers Vesna Pesic, Rafael Peinador Perez, and Sarah Lomax – students immersed themselves in diverse periods and styles, experimenting with innovative and sustainable materials. 

Morley’s series of exhibitions demonstrated students’ incredible talent and dedication and Morley’s commitment to fostering creativity and professional growth.   To see more of the artworks head to the showcase section of our website.