Made in Arts London Launch

Words: Lily Branfield

Pictures: Megan Miao

The launch of Made in Arts London at the world-renowned Central Saint Martin’s last week was a phenomenal success. Important industry contacts and art-loving students alike came from as far afield as Newcastle to witness the private view of Xhibit 2012. All the pieces from this innovative exhibition, curated by students from UAL are now available online in the MiAL shop in collaboration with Culture Label.

The evening opened with guests quickly filling the cavernous exhibition ‘Street’ space at CSM, with mulled cider in hand to view the brilliant variety of art on show. 

We were delighted to welcome the artists we work with to get some first-hand comments on their work as well as meeting other guests to hear their comments.

 Joel Yuen, Xhibit Artist

“My work is inspired by science fiction, science gone wrong. They are all half humans and half animals and they all want to conform just like you or me so when you look at them you see a bit of both.”

Look at Joel’s work here

Fort Rixon, Camberwell College Graduate, Graphic designer

“Afro-Graphics is basically a way that I’ve found to express the culture I grew up in (Southern Africa), using the same methods that a lot of people do down there do, it involves a lot of hand painting.”

Click here to see Rixon’s work.

Rachel, student at Central St Martins:

“I think it’s been really good and its been really interesting to see a collection of work from different students throughout the university.”

Peter Batty, Head of Logistics at Co-operative Pharmacy and business mentor for MiAL: 

“I know a good idea when I see it and when I saw the very first presentation for Made in Arts London, I just thought ‘what a fantastic idea’ and I was really, really committed to trying to support the guys to try to get it from a good idea into a really workable mode.”

The entire show was curated by UAL students, most of who belong to the Curation Society, the nature of the space and requirements of the new building did pose some obstacles.

Grace O’Connor, lead curator:

“As you can see 21 pieces and this space doesn’t have walls so nothing can be hung and we only have 2 boards so we had to delegate what could go on there and find different solutions for everything else.”

The evening drew to a close with three heartfelt speeches from key players within the project before food was served and guests reluctantly dispersed.

If you were unlucky enough to have missed the opening night then never fear because the exhibition is touring for a further few weeks at CSM before moving to the Kingsgate Gallery in West Hampstead and finally to the Menier Gallery in south London.

Alternatively, you can buy a piece of the art to have forever, at Made in Arts London