A student from Coleg Ceredigion has been selected by University of the Arts London (UAL) to exhibit her work at Origins Creatives in London this month.
Julie Boltwood, who is studying a furniture making course at the college, has had her work chosen to exhibit at the event at the Truman Brewery in Shoreditch from Friday, July 21 to Sunday July 23.
Origins Creatives is organised by UAL awarding body and provides art lovers, critics and creative industry professionals the chance to discover original creative talent from across the UK.
Julie grew up in an industrialised landscape before moving to the serenity of west Wales at 21 and her competition work, entitled The Last Ash, is an expression of her connection with nature.
She had a busy career working for the Welsh Ambulance Service and then whilst bringing up her family, she studied literature and art and volunteered for the Countryside Council for Wales where she developed her affinity with nature and learnt traditional skills such as hedge laying and stone wall building.
Deborah Elsaesser, lecture in furniture making and design at Coleg Ceredigion is thrilled that Julie’s work has been chosen, she said:
“Julie’s work, The Last Ash, is a response to the tragic impact of ash dieback, currently decimating the UK’s native ash population.
“It’s made from locally sourced ash and the artwork, hand painted, was inspired by the evocative illustrations by Sidney Sime.
“The carved elements are designed to complement the aesthetic of the painted door panel but also the concept.
“The feather represents death and decay while in contrast the egg signifies new life and regeneration.
“The draw highlights hand-cut through and stopped dovetails.”
The free exhibition showcases work from some of the UK’s most talented students in further education institutions studying across the UAL subject areas.
Julie will be returning to college in September to progress to the level three furniture course.
Coleg Ceredigion is the only further education college in Wales offering courses in furniture making at levels two and three.