Two University students to exhibit at MK Gallery Platform 2015

​Two students from the University of Northampton have been chosen to present their work at MK Gallery Project Space in Milton Keynes this September as part Platform, the fourth edition of a regional project created to support new graduate artistic talent across the south east of England.

Inclusion in MK Gallery’s Platform 2015 presentation means that the students may also be considered for the associated Platform prize, comprising a monetary award and a bespoke twelve-month programme of professional development.

Platform was devised in 2012 in collaboration with the Contemporary Visual Arts Network South East  (CVAN) and is a partnership between five galleries; Aspex Gallery in Portsmouth, De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill, MK Gallery in Milton Keynes, Tuner Contemporary in Margate, and Modern Art Oxford.  Each organisation selects graduates from their local university degree shows to participate in the exhibitions and award programme. This initiative aims to highlight the outstanding talent of emerging visual artists whilst supporting graduate professional development.

With only four places available at MK Gallery in September, the University of Northampton are delighted that two of the four graduates exhibiting their work are their own.  The artists chosen by MK Gallery are Emma Richardson, BA Painting and Drawing, and Isobel Owen, BA Fine Art.

Emma and Isobel, alongside two other hopefuls from the University of Bedfordshire and Bucks New University, will be staging week long solo exhibitions in MK Gallery Project Space in order to showcase their work, each hoping to succeed in being nominated by MK Gallery for the region-wide Platform Award.

Emma said: “My exhibition will feature large scale paintings, books and drawings which I will help curate and install. “I expect that I will gain valuable experience from being part of Platform 2015 and some opportunities may arise. I have also managed to get on the waiting list for studio space at Bedford Contemporary Arts which I had to apply for and I think Platform helped with that. It is a brilliant springboard for graduate artists to get started on their careers.”

One lucky exhibitor from the four will be nominated by MK Gallery Director, Anthony Spira, and Curator of Public Programmes, Simon Wright, to go forward for the coveted regional prize.

The overall winner of the award, which is set to be judged in late October, will emerge triumphant and receive a £2,500 bursary as well as a bespoke  year-long programme of professional development,  mentoring, and access to  expert knowledge and advice.

Emma and Isobel’s exhibitions at MK Gallery​ Project Space take place in September; admission is free and everyone is welcome to attend the previews.

Emma Richardson

1 – 6 September 2015

Preview:  3 September / 6pm-8pm / All welcome

Isobel Owen

15- 20 September 2015

Preview: 17 September / 6pm-8pm / All welcome