A Shrewsbury College Art student was selected to attend and exhibit work at a prestigious London Art school and had the chance to meet famous, cross-dressing artist, Grayson Perry CBE, earlier this month.

Caittlin Hazell, 19, Shrewsbury, who has recently completed her Art & Design foundation course at the College, had her work chosen by her tutors to represent the College at the annual end of year showcase at the University of Art London. 

The exhibition formed part of celebrating the University’s Foundation Diploma in Art & Design and took place at the Chelsea College. This year Grayson Perry CBE, who is well known for his bright and colourful ceramics and vases as well as his flamboyant cross-dressing, alter-ego, Claire, was the special guest at the private view. Students who were selected from colleges across the country were able to meet with him.

Caitlin had to propose research for her final major project which explored various themes; emotion, bodily presence, limits and endurance, self and the ’other’. She did this via a combination of video pieces and live performances.

“Caitlin has consistently produced work of a high standard,” said Paul Jones, Art Lecturer at Shrewsbury College. “Her artist practice is experimental, challenging and intellectually engaged. Caitlin received a Distinction for her Final Major Project due to its originality and contextualisation.”

Caitlin said: “My visit to the show was great, it was amazing to see my work projected up big in a different space, and for it to have a different audience, and also to see the other types of work made by people on the same course from different places.

“The highlight was meeting Grayson Perry because he was so lovely and down to earth. It's always good to remember even top artists are people too and to see them instead of just what they convey through their work.

“I really enjoyed foundation art at Shrewsbury College, it really changed the kind of work I was making at A level and I became a lot more experimental, and learnt a lot of things from my tutors. I can't wait to continue studying in September, when I am start my Fine Art degree at Kingston University, London.

For more information about Art courses at Shrewsbury College please 01743 342411 or visit www.shrewsbury.ac.uk