Valery Koshlyakov: Painter

Koshlyakov takes the subject of  majestic buildings and paints them in a gestural way onto taped together flattened cardboard boxes. This juxtapostion of 'poor'/everyday materials and quick, 'messy' brush strokes against a grand subject matter creates a sense of irony.

High-rise on Raushskaya Embankment (2006). Image by cea

For more information and galleries of further images from Koshlyakov, visit:

http://see-you-in-moscow.com/blog/valery_koshlyakov/2010-03-22-70

http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/artpages/valery_koshlyakov_grand_opera.htm

Forgotten Spaces: all we can do is wait...

The Forgotten Spaces competition has finally come to a close: the proposals are finished, the entries have been sent off. All we can do now is wait... fingers crossed!!

The teams came up with 2 very different, but just as inspiring ideas. One was to turn the derelict Moorgate House (which you can see on Moorgate Road as you walk down into the town centre) into The Common Room: a student hub for Rotherham which worked with recycled materials. The other was The Pentagon: a 'green' community centre, built under woodland to preserve the original landscape, with areas for allotments and environmental learning.

Both teams demonstrated amazing commitment and determination, working down to the very last minute. Well done to everyone who took part- we are very impressed with your designs, let's hope the judges are too!

The Pentagon

 The Common Room

And here are the entries, all packed up ready for judging. Good luck!

Abandoned Ruins

The link below will take you to a blog post by Francesco Mugnai which has loads of amazing photographs of abandoned spaces and ruins from around the globe- have a look, they will take your breath away!

Artist of the Month: February

It's February and all the coursework has been handed in- YAY!

A massive well done to everybody, and particular congratulations go out to Rebecca Robinson, Emily Twynham, Luke Emmot and Lauren Fawley whose fantastic final outcomes have earned them this month's Artist of the Month award.

A2 Fine Art: Rebecca Robinson

A2 Graphic Communication: Emily Tywnham

AS Fine Art: Luke Emmot

AS Graphic Communication: Lauren Fawley