Second-year Photography and Video Art undergraduate, Alex Wickenden, will be demonstrating some of his very best work, from tonight (Friday), at one of the UK's leading public galleries.

Originally from Reading, Alex, 22, received the opportunity following winning the regional MK Gallery Student Showcase competition.

He entered the competition whilst at the University and was advised to put his work, Routine W.A.S.P, forward by lecturers on the Luton-based course, Nigel Grimmer and Gemma Marmalade.

And he stated this expert support is helping him daily.

“Without the support from my tutors, my work would have been nowhere as adventurous and in turn, I would have never had the courage to even apply for this exhibition.

“The creative opportunities and encouragement I’ve been afforded on the course have made a huge, positive difference to my work and personally.

“Not only am I now far more informed technically from various workshops, but I also have a greater drive to produce work in formats that were previously foreign to me.”

Alex Wickenden starring in his own motion picture 

Alex’s exhibition, Routine W.A.S.P is made up by series of experimental photographs entitled The Morning Routine of The Male Drag and a video project: W.A.S.P’s Ocelli. Both explore male gender identity.

The Morning Routine is an exaggerated series of photographs of traditionally non-macho males engaging in overtly masculine scenarios whilst W.A.S.P.’s Ocelli is a video project culminating from the result of research into the rise of ‘lad culture’ and its potentially negative effect on a wider community.

Showcase 2014 is made up of four consecutive, week-long exhibitions of artwork by local students.

Alex's exhibition will run until Wednesday 20 August. See more at: www.mkgallery.org

The University of Bedfordshire offers a variety of courses for anyone interested in contemporary art, moving images, photography or digital media.