About the exhibition

I am delighted to be able to present the range and quality of work produced by all of our students. Thank you all for your contributions to this year’s Cultivate exhibition.

The responses exhibited here are mirrored in our virtual gallery and have been developed by our Foundation students and the Joshibi students from Japan as a result of their investigation and exploration of the theme “cultivate”. These responses are the conclusions to their one-week project development and are supported by extensive visual explorations and sketch book work. 

Students in each of our pathway specialisms of Visual Communication, 3D Design, Textiles & Fashion, and Fine Art have undertaken personal, meaningful and considered research related to Cultivating processes, making techniques, materials investigations and a broad range of responses to personal and contextual research sources. Generating diverse perspectives and broad interpretations of the theme they have followed their personal curiosity and interests using related words to explore and extend their thinking. From physical cultivation and explorations with the earth, environment, ecosystems, nourishment and growth, and through consideration and cultivation of skills, materials, processes, techniques, refinement, enrichment, devotion, education, community and personal growth.

In this 8^th year of our continued collaboration with Joshibi University in Japan their curation students have connected a Joshibi and a Loughborough image and shared their pairings, curation commentary and insights in the curation gallery. With our usual Loughborough experience restricted this year we have shared creative connections and brought students & staff together with live links in our extended virtual workshop mornings/evenings. Responses, development work, sketch books and ideas have been investigated, discussed and shared with groups and between individual students. The additional opportunities and direct cultivation of this international collaboration and sharing has been supported by the LU English team to develop confidence in sharing curation statements and discussions. We have built on this strong covid ‘silver lining’ and the experience has doubled in growth this year giving us an additional workshop and ever more creative ways to connect. This remote method of achieving personal input and supporting valuable connections will be something I am sure we will wish to embed and cultivate in future visits. 

I would like to thank the incredible team of knowledgeable, positive and tirelessly enthusiastic staff here on Foundation for their continued support & good will which makes this project and exhibition possible. I of course extend these thanks to Linda Dennis and the students & staff at Joshibi university who make our continued collaboration such a rewarding experience. Thanks go also to Jonathan Walters and his digital team for their skills and support with the continued growth of our virtual gallery websites and to Henrietta Pocock and her team for support with the development of English skills and confidence which greatly impacts our shared workshop experience. I extend my personal thanks to all involved in this creative experience.

As we enjoy these positive discussions, exchange of ideas and common ways of thinking I am mindful at this turbulent time, with the traumatic situation for so many in Ukraine, that we have much shared humanity, kindness and compassion that bonds and brings us together with caring responses and human connections.

I hope you enjoy our Cultivate exhibition and might be able to make a donation to our chosen local charity Rainbows Children’s Hospice or to the SDCA British Red Cross Ukraine appeal. All contributions, small and large, are much appreciated and will make a difference to supporting the lives of those in need. Thank you.

Julie Wallace
Programme Director
Art & Design Foundation Studies, SDCA