News
Friday 11 July 2008
New spin on historic paintings (Styling Project I, Long Gallery, Nottingham Castle) 19 July - 28 September
Portraits by artists including the leading impressionist painter Dame Laura Knight are being given a contemporary makeover by Nottingham Trent University students. Drawing inspiration from a collection of paintings, the School of Art and Design Masters students are combining new, second-hand and vintage garments and accessories to style a series of looks which reflect the portraits.
They have created a range of reconstructed images for the Styling Project I exhibition, which will be on show in the Long Gallery at Nottingham Castle from 19-28 July. The work is part of an ongoing partnership between the School of Art and Design and Nottingham City Museums and Galleries, using archive material and museum collections to create innovative styles for the fashion market.
The project ties in with the major Laura Knight at the Theatre exhibition, which runs from 19 July to 28 September at Nottingham Castle. The students have picked up on the drama and dressing-up themes of this exhibition, which shows the artist’s paintings and drawings of the ballet and the stage.
The exhibition – which will have a number of rarely seen works on show – marks a welcome return to the city for Dame Laura Knight (1877-1970) who was born in Long Eaton and grew up in Nottingham.
After studying at the Nottingham College of Art and the Newlyn School of Art, Knight moved to London where her reputation was founded on her ability to capture the world of theatre, circus and ballet.
It was her love affair with the theatre which led her to explore the splendour of costume and scenery, but also, quiet moments backstage away from the public eye.
As one of the most fashionable artists of her day, Knight had access to London’s glittering theatrical seasons and her resulting images of the ballet and the theatre were often bold, colourful and full of character. Images of rehearsal studios, dressing rooms, the wings of the stage and curtain calls, underline her privileged position as an artist who saw much more than the audience.
In 1929 Knight became the first female artist to be made a Dame of the British Empire, and in 1936 was the first woman to be elected to the Royal Academy since 1760.
The Programme Leader for MA Fashion Futures at Nottingham Trent University, Yvonne Trew, said: “This project illustrates how universal our understanding is of the international fashion media based world. We hope that visitors to the exhibitions enjoy this celebration of visual culture as much as myself and the students have in making the work.”
A private view will be held for Styling Project I and Laura Knight at the Theatre on 18 July, which will be officially opened by the university’s Head of College of Art & Design and the Built Environment, Professor Simon Lewis.
ENDS
Notes for editors:
The Styling Project I runs from 19-28 July from 10am to 4pm. For more information visit What's on in Nottingham, Styling Project I web page.
More information on the Laura Knight at the Theatre exhibition.
Press enquiries please contact: Dave Rogers, Senior Press Officer, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8782, or via dave.rogers@ntu.ac.uk, or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8774, or via therese.easom@ntu.ac.uk.
