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In Pictures: Foundation Diploma Graduate Show 2025
Thursday, 5 June, 2025 — Discover highlights from Arts University Plymouth's Foundation Diploma Graduate Show 2025, celebrating emerging creative talent across art, design and media at our Pre-Degree campus.
<p>Two weeks ago, Arts University Plymouth welcomed visitors to Palace Court for the <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/foundation-diploma-in-art-and-design-post-a-level" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Foundation Diploma</a> Graduate Show 2025, celebrating a year of creative growth and experimentation across art, design, media and making. Held across two days on 21 and 22 May, the show offered a glimpse into the diverse work produced by this year's Foundation Diploma in Art & Design students.</p>
<p>With pathways spanning fine art, illustration, sculpture, textiles, digital media and more, students unveiled the culmination of their eight-month journey in the university’s dedicated Pre-Degree centre. From hand-stitched costuming and immersive installations to drawing, print and sound-based media, the exhibition captured the energy, individuality and ambition of this post-16 community of emerging creatives.</p>
<p>All photographs below were taken by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/captain.frost/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luke Frost</a>, a Pre-Degree alumni and graduate of the U<a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/ual-level-3-extended-diploma-in-art-design-photography" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">AL Extended Diploma in Creative Practice: Photography</a>.</p>
All photos by Luke Frost
<p><strong><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/ones-to-watch-2025-foundation-diploma-in-art-design#ilsa-butterworth-foundation-diploma-in-art-design" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ilsa Butterworth</a></strong>- Through fabric, wax, resin, and sculpture, Ilsa Butterworth explores the alchemical processes of transformation, identity and natural decay. Her final major project focuses on the idea of a ‘Second Skin’, casting parts of her own body to create hybrid costume-sculptures. She now progresses to study BA (Hons) Costume at University Arts London, Wimbledon College of Arts.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/ones-to-watch-2025-foundation-diploma-in-art-design#yun-yi-lim-foundation-diploma-in-art-design" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Yun Yi Lim</a></strong>- Originally from Singapore, Yun Yi Lim's analogue photography captures intimate portraits and still lifes that reflect queer longing and cultural heritage. Her project ‘Soft Hold’ evokes a tactile, timeless sensibility and has secured her a place at Glasgow School of Art to study BA (Hons) Photography.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/ones-to-watch-2025-foundation-diploma-in-art-design#bram-hulme-golding-foundation-diploma-in-art-design" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Bram Hulme-Golding</strong>-</a> Blending film, found objects and layered textures, Bram Hulme-Golding interrogates memory and perception. His reflective, research-led practice is set to evolve further as he begins a BA (Hons) in Fine Art at Goldsmiths, University of London.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/ones-to-watch-2025-foundation-diploma-in-art-design#darcy-strachan-foundation-diploma-in-art-design" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Darcy Strachan</a>- </strong>Darcy Strachan’s film installation examines AI, digital disinformation and identity through speculative scripts and generative visuals. Her complex, immersive work earned her a place on the BA (Hons) Fine Art course at Central Saint Martins.<br /></p>
Darcy Strachan's work
<p>The Foundation Diploma in Art & Design is an immersive and exploratory year designed to help students refine their creative direction and prepare for degree-level study. Students leave with confidence, a clear sense of identity, and a professional-standard portfolio.</p>
<p>This year’s Graduate Show exemplified that ethos — packed with inventive work and underpinned by research, material understanding and critical thinking. </p>
<p>Looking ahead? Join us for our next Foundation Diploma Open Day on <strong>Saturday 21 June</strong>, 11:30am—2:00pm, at Arts University Plymouth’s main campus. Meet our academics, explore the city and discover where your creativity could take you.</p>
<p>Don’t miss the rest of our Graduate Shows series:</p><ul><li><strong>Extended Diploma Graduate Show</strong>: 3–5 June, Palace Court</li><li><strong>Undergraduate Graduate Show</strong>: 20–26 June, Tavistock Place & Studio 11</li><li><strong>Undergraduate Fashion Show</strong>: 26 June, The Market Hall, Devonport</li><li><strong>MA Graduate Show</strong>: 21–31 July, Tavistock Place & Studio 11</li></ul>
