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Dear All -

I saw the degree shows at the Arts University Plymouth this morning. The shows are on until this Thursday, and I'd say are worth a visit if you can get there.

I wanted to see the paintings above all. There weren't as many as I was expecting. One student had produced a number of self-portraits (large-ish (A1?) in oils and small-ish (A4?) etchings), which I was drawn to and found touching. She was obviously determined to show her pimples! Another had produced meticulous studies of hands, feet, parts of faces. Mostly the work was abstract, ranging from gestural textures within squares and rectangles, to ultra-precise, carefully aligned, narrow bars of various harmonised colours.

I also came across the illustrators, costume makers, fashion and textile students, and craft makers, and had two really interesting conversations with a couple of students. I found the textile works particularly gorgeous - dyeing, weaving, printing and more, in beautiful colours.

The place is a maze and I got completely lost. If the photography was there, I didn't find it, sorry!

Penny