QMC Art, Design & Photography: 2014

AS PHOTOGRAPHY

At the beginning of the AS Photography course, before learning about all the different functions on film and digital cameras and how to use them creatively, the students first make and use a pinhole camera.

A pinhole camera is a darkened box, into which light is introduced through a tiny aperture, uncorrected by a lens. In this case, the students used an empty drinks can, but pinhole photographs can be made with anything light tight, from a mouth to a pumpkin, from a room to a moving van. They are based on the principles of a Camera Obscura, used by artists for centuries, but with photo-sensitive materials introduced.

This is photography in its purest form; a light-proof container, a small hole and some photo-sensitive material. As such, the results are reminiscent of some of the earliest photography. In more conventional photography, subjects take place in an orderly space. In contrast, the pinhole process causes subjects to blend with the spaces, creating distortions. This gives the image an eerie quality.

As a photographer, with pinhole photography, you are in control of the whole process from making the camera to what you photograph and how. By starting with pinhole, students learn how cameras work, and therefore how to use them as a tool for making creative work.

A2 TEXTILES

As part of the experimental stage for Unit 3, the A2 students were introduced to the process of screen printing to develop their ‘Design Eras’ project. The project has evolved from the student’s own research into a period of design from c.1850-1980. This has resulted in the diverse range of responses you see in the exhibition.

These are final pieces for this part of the project selected by each student from a variety of prints made on different fabrics and combined with other surface patterning techniques. Some pieces include layered designs utilising dye, batik, stitch or mono-prints to add colour and texture. Others simply explore the layering of different colour prints.

Following their experiments into surface pattern and constructed textiles, the students will develop their most successful ideas and choice of media towards an ambitious final outcome. This can take any form from within fine art textiles, fashion textiles or textiles for interiors.