The art world has always been reliably friendly to students, perhaps in acknowledgement that most people within it have themselves passed through further education, with Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre for example displaying annual mixed shows of degree work under the Portal banner. The latest edition of it gathers work by 19 young artists who have been up against it, in a creative sense, like no art students before. Zoom-based learning, confined to one’s domicile, money for (what felt like) nothing – heck, it was enough to make people across the UK into student sympathisers.
This year’s crop hail from across the UK and add up to a commendably mixed show, with “photography, painting, sculpture, textiles, video and illustration” promised by Llantarnam Grange. Subject matter ranges from the more obviously political to abstract expressions, and taking into account that these artists are simultaneously accomplished and developing, the offer of support and coaching has been made to them, with funding from Welsh body the Oakdale Trust.
Among the selected creatives exhibiting at Portal, Welsh representation includes Helen Louise Murphy from the University Of South Wales, Ruth Petersen from Carmarthen School Of Art and three from Cardiff Metropolitan University: Rosie Harman, Klara Sroka and Yusun Won, whose stark ceramic vessels are pictured here.
Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbran, until Sat 6 Nov. Admission: free. Info: here
words NOEL GARDNER
