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UEL artists return to their roots for design exhibition in China

Monday 1 October 2007

Three students from the University of East London (UEL) School of Architecture and the Visual Arts became ambassadors for British education this summer, exhibiting work in a Design UK show that toured China from June to September.

Chunkit Man, Annie Lin and Samsam Hui all featured in the Get It Louder 2007 design exhibition, which included work by both established British artists and promising students of Chinese origin at UK universities.

Supported by the British Council, the exhibition began in Guangzhou on June 23 and ended this week in Chengdu. A series of events accompanied the exhibition, including a three day workshop and associated seminars led by Cliff Nichols, Head of UEL’s School of Architecture and the Visual Arts, at the Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts.

Cliff said: “Get It Louder is a commendable attempt to showcase UK design excellence, provide a platform for international collaboration, and encourage the sharing of ideas for a creative and sustainable society.

“In my workshop sessions, I was particularly keen to engage students from different subject areas in exploring a multi-disciplinary approach to creative practice and the formulation of new ideas through a making process.”

Samsam Hui (30), originally from Hong Kong but now living in Limehouse, graduated earlier this year with a diploma in Architecture from UEL.

Samsam said: “Studying at UEL has given me a great impression of art and design in the UK and I’m very proud to have been involved in the Get it Louder exhibition. There’s much more creative freedom and active participation in Britain, and it’s important to encourage Chinese students to explore a wide variety of different perspectives.”

Annie Lin (34), originally from Taiwan but now living in Mile End, is currently completing a Professional Doctorate in Fine Art – the highest qualification any artist can achieve in the UK. Her research explores feminine awareness in fine art practice.

Annie said: “By hinting at the darker, suppressed side of eroticism, I intend to evoke themes of danger, desire and constraint. Studying in the UK has greatly expanded my knowledge of contemporary professional practice and theory. It’s been wonderful to visit exhibitions in London and experience open discussions about the nature and purpose of art.”

Chunkit Man (24), of Beckton, is a part-time student on UEL’s MA Contemporary Art and Design Practice. His graphic artwork is inspired by an attempt to reconnect British-born Chinese youth with their ancestral culture, heritage and traditions.

Chunkit said: “My own family are originally from Hong Kong, so I'm very interested in exploring my roots. I’ve chosen to present my work in the style of a commercial advertising campaign, enabling me to visually modernise traditional concepts in a way that appeals to a more youthful Western-influenced audience.“

UEL’s School of Architecture and the Visual Arts welcomes students from all over the world and is among the leading centre for art and design. For further information, visit www.uel.ac.uk/ava.

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For details and pictures contact Patrick Wilson: 020 8223 2061 or 07951 797 975

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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