Madison Allen presents new exhibition at The Brownston Gallery following Fresh Talent Award win

<p>The exhibition brings together the paintings that earned her this year’s award, shown alongside a collection of new paintings created since graduating from <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-painting-drawing-printmaking">BA (Hons) Painting, Drawing &amp; Printmaking</a>.</p>

<p>The Brownston Gallery, one of the South West’s leading contemporary art galleries, has worked closely with Arts University Plymouth for many years to champion emerging artists. Each year, the gallery presents the Brownston Fresh Talent Award to a graduate from BA (Hons) Painting, Drawing &amp; Printmaking, with the winner invited to exhibit a collection of work alongside resident artists.</p> <p>Madison was selected from an outstanding cohort of 2025 graduates. Gallery owner Aimie Freeston praised her originality and material approach, highlighting her distinctive compositions of jugs and glassware set against muted lino-printed landscapes framed by windows.</p> <p>Aimie said: “Madison Allen was chosen for the Fresh Talent Award because her work is outstanding, not only in terms of originality but also for her novel use of a beautifully detailed jug and glassware, as well as the juxtaposition of a muted lino print landscape framed by the windows. Her paintings really capture the feeling of a warm summer’s day. The quality of Madison’s work is very impressive and we’re looking forward to showing it in the gallery in November.”</p> <p>First launched in 2017, the Fresh Talent Award has become an important platform for Arts University Plymouth graduates, helping early-career artists establish themselves in the professional gallery world.</p>

<p>Madison’s striking artwork focuses on the everyday details that surround us, revealing how extraordinary they can be when we take time to notice them. Celebrated for her originality and distinctive style, she often transforms ordinary domestic objects into compelling focal points, inviting viewers to see beauty in the familiar.</p> <p>She likes to combine both printing and painting in her pieces, using linocut to create a background view looking out of a window, then layering painted objects in the foreground. The interplay of printed texture and painted surface gives each work a distinctive depth and atmosphere.</p> <p>The exhibition features <em>Distant</em> and <em>Firewood</em> from Madison’s graduate show, alongside a collection of new works. Together, these pieces show the evolution of her practice since graduation, while staying rooted in her interest in light, pattern and the quiet narratives of domestic space.</p> <p>Reflecting on the award earlier this year, Madison said: “I feel very thankful to have won the Brownston Fresh Talent Award. To have been recognised for my work and chosen from such a talented range of artists from my degree course is truly an honour.</p> <p>“I still can’t believe that I won! The opportunity to be displaying my artwork for such an amazing gallery is really exciting and I can’t wait to be exhibiting with them soon.”</p>

<p>Madison graduated from Arts University Plymouth’s BA (Hons) Painting, Drawing &amp; Printmaking degree, the only undergraduate course in the UK that unites these three disciplines in such a holistic way. The programme gives students the space to experiment across painting, drawing and printmaking through imaginative questioning and skilled invention, building on the long history of these practices nourishing and challenging each other. Working in specialist studios, students develop their artistic voice through hands-on exploration of materials, processes and ideas, supported by experienced lecturers who guide them in testing and reflecting on their work.</p> <p>Workshops introduce traditional methods, such as intaglio printing and making paints from raw pigments, alongside the wider technologies and facilities available across the university. Seminars, lectures and group discussions help students connect their practice to diverse histories and current debates, while regular tutorials support them to synthesise learning across all three disciplines into an ambitious, research-informed art practice. With visits to exhibitions in the South West, London and Europe, and strong links with cultural and community organisations in Plymouth, the course offers rich opportunities to engage with the wider art world and exhibit work throughout the degree.</p> <p dir="ltr">Students on BA (Hons) Painting, Drawing &amp; Printmaking achieved <strong>100 % positive responses in sixteen individual survey questions in the National Student Survey (NSS) 2025</strong> – including every question in the <strong>Student voice</strong> and <strong>Academic support</strong> themes.</p> <p dir="ltr">100% of BA (Hons) Painting, Drawing &amp; Printmaking respondents gave positive responses to questions including <em>“How often does your course challenge you to achieve your best work?”</em>, <em>“How well has your course developed your knowledge and skills that you think you will need for your future?”</em>, and <em>“How well have teaching staff supported your learning?”</em>. These results underline a studio atmosphere where feedback is rapid, voices are heard and critical exploration is encouraged.<br /></p> <p><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-painting-drawing-printmaking">Find out more and apply for BA (Hons) Painting, Drawing &amp; Printmaking at Arts University Plymouth</a>.<br /></p>

<p><strong>Exhibition:</strong> Paintings by Madison Allen, winner of the 2025 Brownston Fresh Talent Award<br /><strong>Venue:</strong> The Brownston Gallery, Modbury<br /><strong>Dates:</strong> 13–26 November 2025<br /><strong>Opening hours:</strong> Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm</p> <p>To explore the exhibition online and find out more about The Brownston Gallery, visit <a href="https://www.brownstonart.com">www.brownstonart.com</a>.</p>