Two Fine Art undergraduates have been selected to take part in a unique fellowship opportunity to spend a month in Venice at one of the world’s most prominent art and architecture biennials.
Charlotte Roberts and Vicky Jones were selected through a competitive application and interview process set up by the university in partnership with The British Council.
As fellows they will undertake a month long fellowship at the Venice Biennale during which they will develop their own practice informed by their stay and the research they undertake. They will investigate the themes through site specific and/or archival research focused either on the Biennale or within Venice itself.
They will also receive professional training on various operational aspects linked to the hosting and display of exhibitions on an international scale such as; stewarding, condition checking of artwork, invigilation and access. Further more, as two of sixty of the very best and talented shortlisted candidates chosen nationally our undergraduates will be able to develop and engage with a network of creative peers from across the UK and gain international connections.
Charlotte and Vicky will be awarded a grant to cover their travel, accommodation and living costs, which is part-funded by participating institutions and the British Council.
This opportunity has been brought about through partnership between Bolton School of the Arts, University of Bolton and The British Council allowing students the opportunity to embark on a hugely rewarding personal and professional development experience.
In finding out the news on being selected Charlotte said …
I’m utterly shocked that I have been granted with this opportunity to be accepted onto the Venice Biennale Fellowship. Venice is such a beautiful place with so much culture surrounding the ‘island’. I feel honoured to be representing the University of Bolton and possibly putting Bolton on the map! It’s simply an unbelievable experience and I aim to make the most of my time there.
Both students have already started to think about what work they will make during their fellowship. The project ‘FreeSpace’ is this years choice, Charlotte and Vicky are interested in areas that are overlooked in this ancient city.
‘My ideas surrounding ‘free space’ involve my interest in urban exploration so exploring the seen but more importantly the unseen, the forgotten. In an island so busy I want to find the spaces forgotten whether outside or inside.’
Later in March The British Council will co-ordinate an induction school for all participating students to meet and be briefed on their time in Venice. Vicky and Charlotte will soon travel to London, where they will meet the rest of the group who they will be working with during the summer at the British Pavilion.
This year The British Council will present Island at the British Pavilion at the 16th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia, which will run from 26 May to 25 November 2018.
The curatorial team, Caruso St John Architects working in collaboration with artist Marcus Taylor, will respond to the 2018 Biennale’s theme of Freespace – set by Biennale curators Yvonne Farrell and Shelley McNamara of Grafton Architects – with the construction of a new public space on the roof of the British Pavilion. This elevated piazza will offer visitors to the Giardini a place to meet and a unique vantage point looking out across the Lagoon.
University of Bolton Fine Art 