Art world stars of the future to showcase work in major Derby exhibition

Second-year fine art students from the University of Derby will be showcasing their work as part of Prelude, a vibrant, contemporary art exhibition, taking place at Derby Riverlights from Friday 13 May until Saturday 21 May, 2022.

Prelude will present an eclectic display of art ranging from live performance, sculpture, drawing, paintings and video projections and explore the young artists' perceptions and worldly interactions.

Caroline Locke, Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary Art at the University of Derby, said:

“By bringing the students directly into the city centre and exhibiting at Riverlights we hope to reach a broad audience. This is an experience the students will really value as they learn what it takes to put on a professional show.

“Riverlights is a brilliant, large, empty space that works extremely well for our students. With an industrial feel, high ceilings and exposed walls, it is an impressive space for an impressive show. This is the perfect opportunity to introduce young artists to the processes involved in setting up an ambitious exhibition of their work off campus.”

Visitors to the exhibition will be impressed with the high quality work on display, including pieces by:

• International student Camila Fernandes de Freitas, who reveals a journey of personal exploration that is curiously self-reflective, as she explores her own skin through intuitive painting, performance and video projection
• Peter Domanic, who by using digital technologies explores the constraints of living in a society where expressing your sexuality is problematic
• Bailey Smith, who has invented his own constructed writing system (or “conlang” for short) which privately detail the narratives implied through his largescale paintings and environments.

The Holiday Inn, owner of the exhibition space, is fully embracing the project, supporting the students and visitors to the show. Carla Cole, General Manager, said:

“We are delighted the second-year fine art exhibition is returning to Riverlights and we look forward to welcoming all the students and visitors. It is fantastic to have such a progressive and interesting project on our hotel doorstep. The University is very much part of the wider Derby community and we are always keen at the hotel to encourage and embrace projects such as this and support young talent wherever possible.”

Prelude merges visual aesthetics and conversations which are, at times humorous, relatable and thought provoking. The event will open at 17:30 with complimentary drinks.

Key Dates:

Exhibition launch: 13 May 5:30 – 7:30 pm

Exhibition opening dates and times:

18 and 19 May (12.00 - 18.00)

20 May (14.00 – 20.00)

21 May (10.00 – 20.00)

For further information about the exhibition: 

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