AUB unveils latest undergraduate talent with launch of 2024 Summer Shows

Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) will open its doors to the public and transform into the largest gallery in the south of England for its much-anticipated annual Undergraduate Summer Shows.

The official opening on Thursday 27 June will include a full schedule of entertainment, activities, music, food, and of course artwork.

The annual event, running from Thursday 27 June until Friday 5 July, showcases the final projects of the University’s undergraduates, providing the perfect platform for industry and members of the public to meet the next generation of creatives and innovators in art, architecture, fashion, film, photography, design, performance, events, and creative writing.

Professor Paul Gough, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of AUB, comments, “Summer Show-time at AUB is one of the most energising and exciting experiences of our year. We open our doors and welcome students and their families, alumni and industry, and thousands of visitors to share the magic and be part of the dream factory that is AUB.

“The campus is a living, breathing environment for creativity and from Thursday 27 June, it’s transformed by its Summer Shows into the most extensive and sensational gallery space in the south of England.”

This year’s undergraduates feature an impressive list of award-winners from all courses including BA (Hons) Fashion, Fine Art, Modelmaking, Graphic Design, Architecture, Film Production, and Animation Production. These award-winning works will be exhibited during the Summer Shows and provide the students an opportunity to share their work with the wider world.

Black and white head and shoulders shot of a topless man holding a torn photograph in front of their face. The photograph shows another face with its eyes closed.

Two colourful paintings, each depicting two women sitting at a dinner table, on display at TheGallery at AUB.

A black polyethylene back held in place by two thin clamps.

One of this year’s exhibitors at the Undergraduate Summer Shows is Ben Hubert, a BA (Hons) Photography student who’s been nominated for numerous awards and has had his work exhibited at PhotoLondon 24 in Somerset House this May as well as featuring in national and art media such as Aesthetica and The Guardian, who billed Ben as an "outstanding student photographer."

Liz Walker, an undergraduate on the BA (Hons) Fine Art course, will be showing her final project, a series of paintings titled Constelaciones Heredadas which translates to "Inherited Constellations" and Enciendo una vela y pienso en tí, which translates to "I light a candle and think of you".

Liz comments, “The paintings relate to my grandmother and my great-grandmother. They’re a meld of memories, photographs and figures that I use to express narratives of diaspora and heritage. Having been born in Mexico and grown up in Northern Ireland my paintings link back to the ongoing experience of viewing the world through a diasporic lens.

“I am so excited to be showing with such a diverse group of artists, it has been so great to watch each other grow and develop our practices throughout our time at AUB. This exhibition is truly a product of everyone’s dedication.”

This year's Summer Shows will once again pay homage to AUB's rich heritage and its contribution to the world of arts and culture. AUB takes great pride in its notable alumni, who have left an indelible mark in various creative fields.

Violet M. McClean, Curator and Manager for AUB’s gallery, TheGallery, says, “Our Summer Shows are a truly unique opportunity to be energised by the creative work of AUB’s fabulous students from all over the world.

“Creativity is fundamental to our existence, everything human-made has been thought of, designed, and created; your phone, your sofa, the series you’re watching, the clothes you wear, absolutely everything. And the Summer Shows invite you to meet the next generation of creatives, it’s like looking into the future!”