The overall winner of this year’s award will be announced at a special event on 1 November at Aspex Gallery in Portsmouth and will receive a 12-month bespoke programme of professional development and a £2,500 bursary.

The Platform Graduate Award 2014 profiles new talent emerging from universities and colleges in the South East region. Holger was one of many graduates that had the opportunity of working closely with the gallery programme teams to deliver an exhibition of his work as well as a series of engaging talks and public debates.

Nigel Grimmer, Course Leader for Photography and Video Art said: “Anthony Spiro (MK Gallery Director) was impressed both by Holger's work and his ability to contextualise his practice in a series of related talks the students had to give.”

Holger Kilumets’ body of work entitled Maps & Territories is a series of slightly disparate images, designed to relate to each other through the notion of free association.

“The course taught me to think critically, broadened my knowledge of contemporary art practice and most importantly had a huge impact on my development both as an art practitioner and a person.

“I think that the personal attention and support the tutors are willing to give on this course is extremely valuable and quite unique. The fantastic one-to-one tutorials and crit sessions really help to bring the best out of you,” said Holger.

University of Bedfordshire Photography and Video Art students have won the regional round against other local universities every year since the competition started, three years ago.