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Two Arts University Plymouth graduates shortlisted for Global Creative Graduate Showcase 2026
Tuesday, 6 October, 2026 — Arts University Plymouth graduates Ippei Takizawa and Marriott Witney are shortlisted for the Global Creative Graduate Showcase 2026. Vote by 21 October.
Glass artist Ippei Takizawa and illustrator Marriott Witney, both 2026 graduates of Arts University Plymouth, have been shortlisted for the Global Creative Graduate Showcase 2026.
<p>Organised by Arts Thread, this year’s showcase features work by over 4,000 graduating artists and designers worldwide. Its international judging panel includes creatives from organisations such as Frieze, Google, Gucci and Heatherwick Studio, with audiences also invited to support shortlisted projects through a public vote.</p>
Ippei Takizawa's 'Future Archaeology'
<p>BA (Hons) Craft & Material Practices graduate Ippei Takizawa’s <em>Future Archaeology</em> imagines today’s disposable toys as artefacts unearthed by future generations.</p>
<p>Ippei casts toy forms in glass, then encloses them within hand-faceted glass spheres. The cut surfaces fragment and distort the objects inside, encouraging viewers to look closely at familiar shapes and reconsider what makes something worth preserving.</p>
<p>Before his degree, Ippei spent a year working as a studio assistant to Japanese sculptor Kohei Nawa on the <em>PixCell</em> series. He also exhibited as part of Arts University Plymouth’s stand at Craft Festival Bovey Tracey in June 2026, which received a Crafts Council Loves award.</p>
Marriott Witney's 'Bee Witch and Axe Battle'
<p>BA (Hons) Illustration graduate Marriott Witney’s shortlisted project, <em>FMP 2026</em>, explores world-building and story design for comics.</p>
<p>Marriott developed landscapes from abstract handmade textures and constructed a wall of 400 Post-it notes to plan narrative progression and illustrated scenes. Drawing on her experience of studying away from home, the project explores separation through stories intended to connect with younger audiences.</p>
<p>Both graduates’ work also appeared in <a href="https://www.dezeen.com/2026/05/27/project-exploring-employment-creative-industries-arts-university-plymouth-schoolshows/">Dezeen’s School Shows feature</a> in May 2026, introducing their creative practice to the publication’s international audience.</p>
<p>Explore Ippei and Marriott’s shortlisted portfolios and support their work in the public vote, which closes on <strong>21 October 2026</strong>.</p><ul><li><a href="https://vote.artsthread.com/project/future-archaeology">View and vote for Ippei Takizawa’s Future Archaeology</a></li><li><a href="https://vote.artsthread.com/project/fmp-2026">View and vote for Marriott Witney’s FMP 2026</a></li></ul>
