We are excited to learn about the upcoming exhibition Power from Level 5 BA (Hons) Fine Art student Faith Maddison which centers around female expression and feminism. Power which will be featured at Pineapple Black Arts in Middlesbrough, will work to illuminate women’s rights through creative practice.

We caught up with Faith to find out more about the show and her experience at The Northern School of Art. Read on to find out more!

Tell us about your exhibition Power in collaboration with Pineapple Black? 

My exhibition came about after I sent them a formal proposal, which they then invited me in for a chat to talk about how I would fill and use the Window Gallery. The concept behind the work I am showing, is focused on specifically two women of the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) of the 1960s, who I found to be the most interesting and most powerful. The main point of this show and my work is to help educate people on issues surrounding women. The work I am showing are 3 canvases which are all 22 inches W x 33 inches L. I have done 2 of U.S Representative Bella Abzug and Gloria Steinem.

Can you give us an over view of your practice? Any styles, skill or themes you like to explore?

My practice is underlined my feminist sensibility and seeks to create undeniable and over exaggerated feminine aesthetics to confront sexist oppression. I explore this through the relationship between abstraction and representation, through the use of female portraiture, is informed by a variety of feminists who have influenced and informed feminism throughout history and the modern world. I look closely at abstract compositions informed by the overproduction of kitsch in relation to girl childhood toys, barbie pink and flowers.

Let us know about any other projects you are working on!

I am currently working with Lecturer Alyson Agar and her Scholarly Activity and Research Development Group (SARDG).

What are your plans after university?

After I graduate from my BA(Hons) I am staying on at The Northern School of Art to do my Masters, which I then want to move into teaching Fine Art.

What is special about the northern school of art?

What makes the Northern School of Art special is that it is a small university, which means classes are smaller leading to more time and help from Lecturers. The university has good connections with the surrounding art scene giving the students a chance to make connections, which wouldn’t come with other universities.

Any advice for prospective art students?

Advice I would give to perspective art students would be to experiment as much as possible with as many different materials as you can, as you never know what you might enjoy. Allow you practice to change as you do.

You can catch Power at Pineapple Black Arts, Middlesbrough from April 15th 2022!

Keep up to date with Faiths work by visiting her social media pages, Instagram: @havefaitharts and Facebook @HaveFaithArts

If you are interested in studying Fine Art make sure you find out more about our established and well connected degree programme!