The exhibition celebrates multi-medium artwork that Masters students have completed during their time at Bedfordshire’s School of Art & Design, and is testament to the perseverance and determination they have shown to remain creative during the difficult circumstances of the pandemic.

Titled Pertinacity, the showcase is free to view from now until Friday 15^th October at The Hat Factory, an arts centre run by The Culture Trust – an independent charity that runs six cultural sites across Luton.

The Art & Design MA students have worked hard over the past twelve months to complete their postgraduate degrees, each having progressed from an undergraduate course at the University. Fittingly, the exhibition’s title – Pertinacity – is defined as ‘adhering resolutely to an opinion, purpose, or design’ or to be ‘stubbornly tenacious’. Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, the seven students have been determined in their purpose to produce wonderful and meaningful work that is now on display for the public to enjoy.

The University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Rebecca Bunting, will be in attendance at a private viewing alongside Dr Carlota Larrea, Head of the School of Culture and Communications, when the exhibition opens. Professor Bunting expressed her pride in the resilience and creativity shown by the students.

She said: “It is inspirational to see our students produce such high quality pieces of work despite facing a number of complex issues presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Continuing to work, study and be creative through restrictions and isolation periods is a real challenge, so seeing their work on display in The Hat Factory brings me, as I hope it does them, great pride.”

The students all began the Art & Design MA course having already completed a variety of undergraduate courses at Bedfordshire, with each bringing their own unique style to the exhibition. Twin sisters Khatllen Andra Cazacu and Nicole Marina Cazacu both studied Graphic Design at undergraduate level, with other backgrounds including Photography, Architecture, Interior Design and Fine Art.

For those interested in meeting the students behind the stunning display, a ‘Meet the Artist’ event is being organised, with details being announced in the coming days.

Samuel Javid, Creative Director of The Culture Trust, believes the artists have created an exhibition that reflects the wider world.

He said: “As the incoming Creative Director for The Culture Trust, I’m so excited to be hosting this showcase. The work is playful and powerful, and says a lot about the world we live in today.

“It’s a great takeover of some of The Hat Factory’s most public spaces and I’m looking forward to seeing how our audiences respond to it over the next two weeks.”

Dr Janet Emmanuel, MA Portfolio Leader in the School of Art and Design, added: “Taking part in this showcase allows the students to not only help understand the sheer determination it takes, for each of the artists to complete their masters studies and creative work, in what has been one of the most difficult periods in modern history; but also allow others outside the university to understand the wealth of creativity that is nurtured within the school.

“The depth of understanding these artists have portrayed around our society, reveals how new thinking and creativity, may help progress significant change and allow the unheard to take part in national and international socio-political debate.”

The seven postgraduate students involved in this exhibition are Anoushka Butler, Charlotte Maroudias, James Pyae Phyo Bo, Nathan Lee, Khatllen Andra Cazacu, Nicole Marina Cazacu and Adrian Kotlarz. Information about the students and their works can be found by clicking on each of their names on the Pertinacity webpage.

Pertinacity is free to view at The Hat Factory in Luton. Opening hours are 11am – 4pm, Monday to Friday.

For more information about courses within the Faculty of Creative Arts, Technologies and Science (CATS), visit the Faculty webpage.