In Partnership with
Members 14 // 15
Emma Walker
I’m Emma Walker, a first year Biomedical Science student at University College, Durham. I have always loved studying, exploring and making art and was torn between taking up a place on Manchester College of Art’s (MMU) Art Foundation course and pursuing a career in bioscience research and so was overjoyed at the opportunity to get involved with Cooper Studios whilst continuing with my degree. My preferred medium is oil on canvas, something that is practically impossible in a small shared room, having a purpose built studio to escape to would be ideal and I hope the diverse and stimulating environment of artists will help the development of my work. I also enjoy water colour, fine pencil, life class and the way in which photography can capture an instant in time forever. My inspiration comes from artists I believe can truly connect their lives, experiences, stories and the world around them into paint on a canvas.
Jack Haynes
As a first year I have seen lots of leaflets and people trying to encourage me and my peers to join their societies and sports teams. When I heard about a group of students creating a space for those interested in art, I was immediately interested; up until now I hadn't seen or heard anything substantial about art at Durham University. The studio will enable myself and others to paint, draw etc. Many students who have an interest in art and have studied it before are, on the most part, unable to continue at Durham.
Abi Mcdonald
I’m Abi, a second year student studying Philosophy at Durham University. The main focus of my art centres around the often unclear boundaries between dreams and reality, with most of my inspiration coming from the Symbolist and Surrealist artistic movements. My favourite artists include Rene Magritte, Minjae Lee, Salvador Dali and Man Ray. In my paintings and photos I often attempt to create a confused and disorientating atmosphere, through mixing everyday scenes with surreal objects. In Durham I am currently illustrating for the Palatinate newspaper, and also design brochures and posters for college level events.
Iona Thompson
I'm a second year at Cuths studying Theology and Religion at Durham University. I am very excited at the prospect of a studio space for Durham students to use. Many of the highlights of my school life were in the art studio so when I arrived in Durham I really wanted to replicate such experiences. My main interests in art are painting and textiles. I love manipulating these materials and often use them together in works.This kind of work is often a messy process so a large studio space really is necessary. My interest at the moment is on architectural spaces - something which Durham has a wealth of. I also have a keen interest in design and advertising producing the Durham A Capella Choir publicity.
Jamie Murray
I’m a Cuth’s fresher and am currently studying Geography but have always enjoyed art, which is one of my main passions. Since coming to Durham I have been disappointed by the lack of artistic opportunities here and the prospect of being able to have my own studio space to work in is very appealing to me. I work predominantly with oil paints, however, my portfolio also consists of etchings, screen prints, fine pencil drawings and sculptures. Being able to pursue my passion for art at Durham will enable me to enhance my portfolio whilst allowing me to keep the more creative aspect of my personality active.
Hattie Slater
I’m a second year Classics student at Hild Bede College, Durham University. Art is one of my main passions. I mainly like doing large-scale portraits in acrylic on canvas, and I have done a couple of commissions of this kind. I also enjoy using materials such as charcoal and graphite and I have done a number of life drawings. At school I loved the creative environment of an art studio and this environment gave me inspiration in my work. I have found that Durham lacks the opportunity through which one can continue art alongside one’s studies. I would love the chance of having a studio space at Durham and I feel that I would benefit from being surrounded by other artists in an interactive, stimulating workspace.
Olivia Verelest
I have returned to Durham this year from a year out in which I studied fine art, film, photography and fashion at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Antwerp. Upon my return (in my second year of Combined Honors- majoring in Art History) I have been eager to create more emphasis on the Arts at Durham University. The idea to create a studio space for student artists around Durham sounds, to me, like the ideal solution to improve this artistic/creative void. Placing more emphasis on creativity and the Arts would benefit all. After all- in today’s business world, the only way to separate yourself from the rest is how well you can think for yourself and actually use your creativity in order to separate you from others. My art varies from delicate fashion illustrations to life-size oil portrait commissions and sculptures. I explore all mediums: from the more traditional (2D oil painting, etchings, watercolours, detailed ink drawings and 3D works in clay and wood carvings) to a thorough exploitation of new artistic technologies (photography, film- even Ipad drawings). As an Art scholar and through my courses at Central St Martins, the Slade and my year in at Antwerp Royal Academy of Fine Arts, I have had the opportunity to experiment in all forms and media developing my skills, exhibiting in galleries and working for commissions. I draw my subject from all aspects of life; although a scrupulous study of the human figure -in all its forms- is a recurrent theme throughout my work.
Ed Tuddenham
I am currently a 2nd year archaeology student. I have always had a strong creative flair and interest, but not having studied art at school, feel I am still in the early stages of developing my own style. Consequently the availability of a studio and space to continue growing my artistic skills and portfolio will provide a real boost. I mainly work in watercolour with some recent experimentation into charcoal and acrylics, although I have also worked on architectural models, sculpture and interior architecture. Within my paintings I tend to focus on the natural world and historic buildings, with an interest in the juxtaposition of textures each produce.
Nikki Todhunter
I am a second year English student from the College of St Hild & St Bede. I studied fine art and photography at a-level, but have struggled to find the space and resources to continue building my artistic skills since coming to Durham. I was extremely excited to find out about the studio, and I am looking forward to when I can once again practice, create and share art with people in a studio space. I prefer to work in ink and acrylic, mainly drawing landscapes and most recently scenes from theatrical productions I have been involved with (although I hope to build more skills at life-drawing over the course of this year). I also enjoy sculpture using clay and plaster, often creating abstract forms based on, for example, distorted bodies or rocky landscapes, exploring our perceptions of our surroundings and inherent hypocrisies within those impressions.
Georgia Small
I’m Georgia Small, Hatfield second year reading English literature. I am painfully keen for this project to get started because since arriving in Durham I have always had a great sense that it is very much lacking in art. My focus has always been black pen, this way I am able to leak my art into pretty much everything I do. During school I became deeply concerned with concepts of post-modernism and modes of deconstruction. After leaving Asia, my home for 18 years, I have noticed how the culture I was embedded in has found its way into my art – my illustrations are often reminiscent of Japanese works, and I also enjoy paper cutting. No matter what I do, I always try to surround myself with art, and so having a studio space in Durham would be the dream – hopefully enabling me to do more of what I love but have found less and less time for.
