STUDENTS from the University of Reading School of Art traded paint brushes for placards on January 18, as they launched a public exhibition at Thames Tower.
The budding artists came armed with placards adorning a personal or political issue that resonated with them as part of their degree programme, which looks at the art of signage and freedom of expression.
Entitled Arachnophobia and Other Tales, the multi-media exhibition is open for the public to view on the ground floor of Thames Tower.
Using painting, film, sculpture and installation, undergraduate students touched on a range of contemporary issues ranging from imagined realities, nostalgia, fragility, diaspora, grief and the male gaze.
Dr Florian Roithmayr, Reading School of Art, said: “It is really important to us that students have as many and as varied moments for real-life experiences and professional training as possible. Exhibitions are an important part of art education, and we are thrilled to be partnering with HS Projects and Thames Tower on this fantastic opportunity for our students to demonstrate their work in Reading town centre.
“Furthermore, we are very proud of our students who have put so much thought, time and effort into these pieces and it is wonderful to see them on display for the wider Reading community to engage with.”
The exhibition is part of a long-term Reading School of Art project, in partnership with Thames Tower and HS Projects.
Founded by experienced curators Alistair Howick and Tina Sotiriadi, HS Projects specialises in delivering artistic interventions and projects in unexpected places.
Tina Sotiriadi, HS Projects said: “We like the challenge of working in non-gallery spaces outside of ’the white cube’. Working with a wide range of spaces from Grade I listed buildings to office spaces, we transform unconventional places into interesting forums for artistic and cultural exchange and produce art exhibitions that seek to engage new audiences with the arts.
“The ground floor area of Thames Tower provides an excellent exhibition space and, with its large floor to ceiling windows, offers great visibility to the passing public who are welcome to come in and view the exhibition. It’s a great opportunity for the students to gain experience in external public group exhibitions while raising their profile and engaging with a new and wider audience.”
HS Projects will be curating two exhibitions a year at Thames Tower and has said it would like to partner with Reading School of Art for future exhibitions.
Arachnophobia and Other Tales runs until June 9.
