University Graduates Selected for Region's Largest Showcase of Emerging Contemporary Artists

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Amy Inston, Abigail Day and Katie Hodson will all display their artworks at various locations as part of New Art West Midlands.

They are among a total of 31 artists chosen from more than 180 entrants who have graduated from the region's six art schools, Hereford College of Arts, Birmingham City University, the University of Wolverhampton, Staffordshire University and Coventry University.

Artists" work, which includes painting, sculpture, installation, photography, video, animation, sculpture and digital artworks, will be shown in four New Art West Midlands 2017 exhibitions, opening on Saturday, February 18th.

The venues are Worcester City Art Gallery, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, mac birmingham and Wolverhampton Art Gallery.

Amy's video Pipe Dream will be exhibited at Wolverhampton Art Gallery.

It is a warm-hearted, yet bitter-sweet look at Birmingham life, recording life in Amy's family home.

Amy, who graduated in Art and Design last year, was inspired by her grandmother's house and her love of American icons, such as Elvis and Marilyn.

The 22-year-old, of Kingstanding, Birmingham, said: "I am honoured to have my work exhibited in the New Art West Midlands exhibition as it is a rare opportunity for young artists and creates a platform to meet new people and expose my work.

"The idea of British social realism and the romanticisation of the American dream creates a curious contrast and culture clash that I wanted to explore further using film."

Abigail's sculptures inspired by mid-20th century Brutalist architecture will be displayed at Worcester City Art Gallery.

Abigail, 24, of Portsmouth, who graduated in 2015 with a Fine Art degree, said: "I'm very happy to be exhibiting and participating in New Art West Midlands this year, showcasing alongside some really talented artists."

Katie's installation Slab hung on a wall will be at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery.

Prompted by her perception of people's desensitisation to their architectural environments, her architecturally inspired composition explores the material, visual and spatial relationships between supporting and supported elements. She aims to challenge conventional display methods and blur the boundaries between expectations of painting and sculpture.

Rachel Bradley, Co-ordinator of New Art West Midlands, said: "The selectors were full of admiration of the standard of work from Worcester graduates. Amy Inston's video is thoughtful and masterfully created, and Abigail Day and Katie Hodson are part of a new wave of artists who are interested in architecture and engineering.

"We are so pleased to showcase the great artwork being created at the University of Worcester and hope that this fine institution will be partner of New Art West Midlands long into the future."

Previous exhibitors have seen their work purchased for the National Art Council Collection and have gone on to achieve solo exhibitions in respected galleries.