The Poundshop comes to NUCA!

The Poundshop, set up by RCA graduates, George Wu, Sarah Gottlieb and Sara Melin are working with Year 3 NUCA Illustration students to produce lots of wonderful design ideas. The aim of The Poundshop is to spread design to a wider audience by making it accessible through price and engagement and has worked with many cultural institutions such as Mother London, The Shoreditch Trust, Somerset House and The Architecture Foundation.

The Poundshop, Mother London, 2011

Neil Bousfield: Prize at The Society of Wood Engravers

Neil Bousfield, lecturer on the BA illustration course at NUCA was awarded the '75th Anniversary Prize' at the 2012 Society of Wood Engravers 75th Annual Exhibition for his print Where there was tea, now there is sea. Another of Neil's prints was also selected, titled Assessed to death: Glyn, Pete, Rachel and dead Neil (Guess who starred in that and what it was all about!). The works were shown at Art Jericho, Oxford.

Neil Bousfield, Where there was tea, now there is sea, 2012

Susan Aldworth: Reassembling the Self

Susan Aldworth lecturer on BA Illustration at NUCA has curated an exhibition titled ‘Reassembling the Self’ which looks at the condition of schizophrenia. The exhibition weaves together art, science, psychiatry and individual histories in an extraordinary exploration of self, perception and the fragility of human identity.  ‘Reassembling the Self’ is showing at two sites:  at Vane in Newcastle, till 20 October and at Hatton Gallery to 24 November. Read a review in the Guardian

Susan Aldworth, Dreaming Voices 5, 2012, lithograph on paper. Photo: Anna Arca

Michael Craig-Martin exhibition, 'Alphabet' at NUCA

The gallery at NUCA is showing an exhibition titled Alphabet by Michael Craig-Martin, which closes this Saturday - 13 October 2012. Craig-Martin taught many of the YBAs (Young British Artists - Damian Hirst, Sarah Lucas et al.) at Goldsmiths University, London. In Alphabet Craig-Martin plays with the idea of the ABC children's primer. Instead of a direct 'A is for Apple', 'B is for Ball', the relationship between the letter and image is more ambiguous and requires some guesswork. More information

Alphabet Michael Craig-Martin

AOI Images 36 London, October 3 - 28

The annual AOI Images (Association of Illustrators) show is taking place at Somerset House, London 3 - 28 October. Why not go down for a gander. You can book a portfolio review with The Enquiry Desk on Saturday 20 October as well if you feel ready! See how to prepare your illustration portfolio for potential clients and find out more about illustration as a career. Bookable slots available. £35

Image by Anuska Allepuz

Year 1 Trip to the Norfolk coast

The new Year 1 students took a trip to the coast at Wells-Next-The-Sea and Holkham Beach. Lots of drawing, chatting, beach combing and sandcastle making (and a bit of creative mapmaking!) A great day out and it didn't rain! Nice to meet everyone.

Welcome to new illustration students!

A big welcome to all the new BA Illustration students. Prepare for a great time and we all look forward to meeting you and getting to know you in the coming year.

Aristi Fournari, NUCA Illustration graduate 2012