Arts University Plymouth graduate wins national Freelands Painting Prize 2025

<p dir="ltr">Born in Kings Cross to Irish parents and now based in Devon, Siobhán Morrissey is a painter of rare emotional and material depth. Her large-scale paintings and drawings weave together ancestral memory, riverside ritual and the human condition. Drawing on the confluence of stream and riverbanks near her home, she makes her own stretchers and produces earth pigments by hand, combining deep material knowledge with environmental care.</p> <p dir="ltr">Her graduate work reflects a commitment to inclusive storytelling, inviting audiences into a dialogue where emotion, history and place converge. Whether in oil, pastel or monotype, her practice demonstrates the fluency, ambition and interdisciplinary approach fostered through Arts University Plymouth’s unique integration of painting, drawing and printmaking.</p> <p dir="ltr">Visiting Professor <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/people/richard-kenton-webb">Richard Kenton Webb</a>, who was Senior Lecturer and Course Leader for BA (Hons) Painting, Drawing &amp; Printmaking at Arts University Plymouth whilst Siobhán was studying, said: “From day one when Siobhán arrived three years ago, she was in the studio literally from opening to closing each day, and Saturdays, totally engaged. She has been open and so deeply willing to learn, see and experience new things, getting the most out of her remarkable three year experience. She became one of our most remarkable students. She embraced our studio culture, that has at its centre a strong sense of community, we are all students learning together, that is both staff and students, sharing knowledge. It is no wonder she has gone on to win this major prize and now goes on to take up a place in London on the MA in Painting at the Royal College of Art. I would say, please watch this extraordinary student who was part of an extraordinary year group this last academic year, that I am so proud to be part of myself”.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Each year, the Freelands Painting Prize invites one final-year student from every UK university offering BA Fine Art or Painting to submit work, reviewed anonymously by an expert jury. The 2025 panel included Wells Fray-Smith (Curator at Barbican Centre), artists Lewis Hammond and Andrew Pierre Hart, and gallerist Emma Robertson.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Siobhán’s award is a testament to the power of an artist deeply connected to their materials and their subject. Her practice reflects the best of what our students achieve, combining technical mastery, critical depth and a unique voice that resonates far beyond the studio." — <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/people/dr-stephen-felmingham">Professor Stephen Felmingham</a><br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">The<a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-painting-drawing-printmaking"> BA (Hons) Painting, Drawing &amp; Printmaking</a> course immerses students in traditional, contemporary and hybrid techniques, developing fluency in the six visual languages of line, form, space, movement, tone and colour. With teaching from practising, exhibiting artists of international reputation, students benefit from large, open-plan, naturally lit studios designed for ambitious scale work and collaborative exchange.</p> <p>Students master the complete creative lifecycle, from making paints and preparing surfaces to advanced printmaking processes and public exhibition, gaining skills rarely offered together in UK provision. Opportunities for exhibitions, live briefs and collaboration across our <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/visit">13,000m² of studios and workshops</a> equip graduates to excel in the competitive creative industries, with alumni progressing to leading MA programmes such as the Royal College of Art and securing national awards.</p>

<p dir="ltr">In the National Student Survey 2025, Arts University Plymouth was ranked the top specialist arts university in the UK for student experience for the fourth consecutive year, with sector-leading scores across ‘Teaching on my course’, ‘Learning opportunities’, ‘Assessment and feedback’, ‘Organisation and management’, and ‘Student voice’. BA (Hons) Painting, Drawing &amp; Printmaking achieved 100% positive responses to all ‘Student voice’ questions, reflecting the course’s commitment to listening to and acting on student feedback.</p> <p>These results follow Arts University Plymouth’s ranking as <strong><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/arts-university-plymouth-top-five-student-satisfaction-cug-2026">5th in the UK for Student Satisfaction</a></strong> and <strong><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/arts-university-plymouth-top-five-student-satisfaction-cug-2026">2nd for Staff-to-Student Ratio</a></strong> in the Complete University Guide 2026, as well as being named <strong><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/whatuni-south-west-university-of-the-year-2025">University of the Year for South West England</a></strong> at the 2025 Whatuni Student Choice Awards. Together, these accolades highlight a creative education environment where students thrive, supported by close academic relationships, world-class facilities, and a strong, collaborative community.</p>

<p>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/siobhanmorrisseystudio/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">@siobhanmorrisseystudio<br /></a>Portfolio: <a href="https://siobhanmorrissey.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">siobhanmorrissey.co.uk</a></p>