Latest News
In Pictures: Undergraduate Graduate Show 2025
Monday, 28 July, 2025 — Step inside our Graduate Show 2025 and explore award-winning work by emerging artists and designers from Arts University Plymouth.
<p dir="ltr">From immersive installations and avant-garde fashion to socially engaged photography and experimental animation, the Undergraduate Graduate Show 2025 at Arts University Plymouth revealed a generation of creative leaders ready to shape the future. Across our 13,000 m² of professional studios and public galleries, visitors encountered fresh, future-focused work from some of the UK's most exciting new artists and designers.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Our graduates are already pushing boundaries in a sector worth over £124.6 billion to the UK economy. Their work is not only imaginative but impact-driven, responding to real-world challenges with skill, collaboration and cultural insight.<br /></p>
<p>These emerging creatives have been profiled by <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/posts-moon-seungsung-arts-university-plymouth" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ITV News</a>, featured in <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/rising-fashion-star-kiki-fraikue-featured-in-gq" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">GQ</a>, and honoured with national awards for <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/graphic-design-students-win-creative-conscience-awards" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sustainability, innovation and excellence</a>. Their work spans bio-textile design, analogue filmmaking, fashion activism and folklore-inspired editorial, demonstrating technical fluency, cultural relevance and creative leadership.</p>
Eden Willow and Dilly Fung, Eva Whitaker and Dilly Fung, Matthew Essery and Professor Stephen Felmingham, Elena Faulkner and Professor Paul Fieldsend-Danks, Matilda Smyth and Richard Kenton-Webb, BA (Hons) Painting, Drawing and Printmaking class of 2025 and Professor Stephanie Owens, and lastly Max Golley and Field System
<p dir="ltr">✨ Board of Governors' Award #1: Eden Willow (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/willows.sketchbook/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@willows.sketchbook</a>), <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-illustration" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BA (Hons) Illustration</a>, recognised for combining high academic achievement with kindness, sustainability and integrity.</p>
<p dir="ltr">✨ Board of Governors' Award #2: Eva Whitaker (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/calla.graphics/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@calla.graphics</a>), <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-graphic-design" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BA (Hons) Graphic Design</a>, honoured for her leadership and collaborative work with Gifted Women UK.</p>
<p dir="ltr">✨ Pro-Vice-Chancellor’s Award for Artistic Research: Matthew Essery (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/machewdesigns/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@machewdesigns</a>), <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-graphic-design" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BA (Hons) Graphic Design</a>, for an ambitious typographic project 'Wiggle', blending sculpture and design.</p>
<p dir="ltr">✨ Vice-Chancellor’s Commendation Award: Elena Faulkner (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/ef__interiors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@ef__interiors</a>), <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-interior-design" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BA (Hons) Interior Design & Styling</a>, recognised for academic excellence and professionalism.</p>
<p dir="ltr">✨ Velarde Gallery Award: Matilda Smyth (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/juneisjinxed/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@juneisjinxed</a>), <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-painting-drawing-printmaking" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BA (Hons) Painting, Drawing & Printmaking</a>, awarded gallery representation and exhibition opportunity.</p>
<p dir="ltr">✨ Dean’s Award: <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-painting-drawing-printmaking" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BA (Hons) Painting, Drawing & Printmaking</a> cohort (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/aup_pdp/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@aup_pdp</a>), honoured for outstanding collective work at the Graduate Show.</p>
<p dir="ltr">✨ <a href="https://www.instagram.com/field.system/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Field System Award</a>: Max Golley (<a href="https://www.instagram.com/maxgolley/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@maxgolley</a>), <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-fashion-design" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BA (Hons) Fashion Design</a>, awarded post-graduation support and a solo show in 2026.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">Named <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/whatuni-south-west-university-of-the-year-2025" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University of the Year for South West England </a>(Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2025) and ranked <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/nss-2025-student-satisfaction-success" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">5th in the UK for Student Satisfaction</a> (Complete University Guide 2026), Arts University Plymouth continues to lead in creative education.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Explore more from our Ones to Watch 2025 and discover how our graduates are redefining the future of art, design and media.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">Ready to start your creative journey? Apply now through Clearing and join a supportive, innovative community where your ideas can thrive.</p>
<p dir="ltr">👉 <a href="http://aup.ac.uk/clearing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">aup.ac.uk/clearing</a><br /></p>
