News
Friday 8 June 2007
Celebrity alumni launch art and design shows
Comedian/actor Paul Kaye and film director Jonathan Glazer officially opened Nottingham Trent University’s art and design degree shows. The pair, who studied theatre design together at the former Trent Polytechnic in the 1980s, spent time chatting to final-year students and viewing their work.
Paul is well-known to the public for his infamous alter-ego, street wise celebrity interviewer Dennis Pennis. He has also appeared in a range of television series’ such as Two Thousand Acres of Sky and Hustle and films including Black Ball and Shaun of the Dead.
Jonathan made his name producing some of the finest adverts for modern television, including the Guinness Surfer advert. More recently he directed the Sony Bravia commercial, in which 70,000 litres of brightly-coloured paint explodes against a block of high-rise flats. His first film, gangster movie Sexy Beast, with Ben Kingsley and Ray Winston, earned him a BAFTA nomination.
He said: “I really can’t speak highly enough about my experience here and I’m really glad to be back and catch up with some familiar faces. The standard of the student’s work is amazing and I really do wish them every success for the future.”
Inspirational design ideas from some of the country’s most creative and forward-thinking students were showcased during the art and design shows in the University’s Bonington, Waverley and Maudslay buildings.
The School has an international reputation and is one of the foremost centres for shaping creative talent in the region. Students from some 27 nations exhibited their work.
Visitors experienced a wide range of different media and creative practices including sculpture, painting, illustration, graphics, photography, print, moving image, theatre and digital design. There were also directional fashion, knitwear, textiles and decorative arts, futuristic products, cutting-edge furniture and interior design solutions.
The Dean of the University’s School of Art and Design, Ann Priest, said: “It was great to welcome both Paul and Jonathan back to the University, and I know they really enjoyed meeting the students and seeing their work.
“We’re all really excited about the high quality of work that was on offer at this year’s shows. Nottingham Trent University has a national and international reputation for shaping creative talent to produce directional and innovative design, and this was reflected in the shows.”
ENDS
Press enquiries please contact Dave Rogers, Press Officer, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8782, or via email or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8774, or via email.
