Over 100 post-graduate artists will display their latest work from installations, sculpture, painting, to everything in between at Chelsea College of Arts MA Fine Art Summer Show from 6 through 11 September 2014.

Learning to push boundaries and experiment… and finding freedom

Variety, stretching limits and trying new things are the main aims of the artists about to complete the MA Fine Art course at Chelsea College of Arts, an intensive year-long programme that started October last year [2013].

In the studios of MA Fine Art at Chelsea College of Arts, Pimlico, London. Image courtesy Chelsea College of Arts.
In the studios of MA Fine Art at Chelsea College of Arts, Pimlico, London. Image courtesy Chelsea College of Arts.

Students have come from over the globe to London’s Chelsea College of Arts for many different reasons; some wish to engage in dialogue about art in a global context or to push their own work to a new, profound level while others still, like Isabelle Woodhouse, hope to tear down preconceived notions and find

…the freedom to suddenly make a gesture.

MA Fine Art graduate Isabelle Woodhouse discusses her drawing practice at Chelsea College of Arts, Pimlico, London. Image courtesy Chelsea College of Arts.
MA Fine Art graduate Isabelle Woodhouse discusses her drawing practice at Chelsea College of Arts, Pimlico, London. Image courtesy Chelsea College of Arts.

The success of those now leaving Chelsea starts the first day on the course with the “historical discipline of artists teaching artists”, as stressed by Brian Chalkley, Course Director of MA Fine Art.

Brian Chalkley, Course Leader, discusses the MA Fine Art course at Chelsea College of Arts, Pimlico, London. Image courtesy Chelsea College of Arts.
Brian Chalkley, Course Leader, discusses the MA Fine Art course at Chelsea College of Arts, Pimlico, London. Image courtesy Chelsea College of Arts.

From Chelsea’s inception, scores of arts professionals have joined the school as teachers and mentors, giving up their own studio time to devote it to students developing their art practice. In addition to the regular schedule of tutoring and critiques, weekly lectures, talks, and workshops by arts professionals contribute to learning at Chelsea.

One thing all the artists studying at Chelsea seem to agree on is the abundance of opportunities they have experienced in their time here, starting from day one with the immediate rapport in their peer group, aided by generous and honest feedback from both colleagues, tutors, and skilled technicians in the state-of-the-art workshops, all there to help each artist grow his or her practice to its full potential.

In the ceramics workshop at Chelsea College of Arts, Pimlico, London. Image courtesy Chelsea College of Arts.
In the ceramics workshop at Chelsea College of Arts, Pimlico, London. Image courtesy Chelsea College of Arts.

Away from the college, Tate Britain is next door, with Chelsea situated perfectly for ready access to this prominent gallery. Along with London’s hundreds of art institutions big and small minutes away by public transport, there’s no shortage of resources in London, from events to exhibitions, to cover the spectrum of research interests as s/he is working through a project or idea towards the final postgraduate show.

MA Fine Art graduate Denise Ackerl prepares the Parade Ground for the final show, at Chelsea College of Arts, Pimlico, London., with Tate Britain in the background. Image courtesy Chelsea College of Arts.
MA Fine Art graduate Denise Ackerl prepares the Parade Ground for the final show, at Chelsea College of Arts, Pimlico, London, with Tate Britain in the background. Image courtesy Chelsea College of Arts.

It is in the work of these artists, whether through drawing, performance, or some other means of expression, that offers a physicality at once both personal and extrinsic, creating openings through which to discover what marks, objects or movements can evoke in the exchange between viewer and maker.

In the studios of MA Fine Art at Chelsea College of Arts, Pimlico, London. Image courtesy Chelsea College of Arts.
In the studios of MA Fine Art at Chelsea College of Arts, Pimlico, London. Image courtesy Chelsea College of Arts.

If you’re around Pimlico the first week of September [2014], a visit to Chelsea’s Postgraduate Summer Show is recommended! For soon-to-be-graduate Lance Hewison, the 2014 final exhibition will be “an opportunity to engage with lots of intriguing ideas, personalities, and points of view“. You’re sure to experience something inviting, fresh, or surprising from 100-plus new artists and another graduating student, Radhika Prabu, strongly recommends,

If you want to get a sense of what the [current] generation of artists is up to, you should be right here.

More links and information

View of the Parade Ground at Chelsea College of Arts, Pimlico, London. Image courtesy Chelsea College of Arts.
View of the Parade Ground at Chelsea College of Arts, Pimlico, London. Image courtesy Chelsea College of Arts.

Exhibition details:  MA Fine Art Degree Show at Chelsea College of Arts, Millbank/ 16 John Islip Street, London SW1P 4JU, is on from 6 through 11 September 2014. (closed Sunday 7 September 2014). Free admission, step-free access.

Opening hours:
Monday – Friday: 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Saturday – Sunday: 11:00AM to 5:00PM

Opening/Private View on 5 September 2014, 6:00PM to 9:00PM. RSVP.

Image courtesy Chelsea College of Arts - 2014 MA Fine Art programme
Image courtesy Chelsea College of Arts – 2014 MA Fine Art programme
16 John Islip Street London SW1P 4JU
16 John Islip Street
London SW1P 4JU