Graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar’s (VCUQ) Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (BFA) and Master of Fine Arts Degree (MFA) programmes in graphic, interior, fashion design, and painting and printmaking, showcased their final works at the opening reception of the BFA+MFA Exhibition.
The VCUQ BFA+MFA Exhibition is running at the Gallery and Room 390 at the university.
The BFA exhibition in Room 390 will remain open until May 21 while the MFA exhibition at the Gallery is to conclude on May 28.
The exhibition provides an opportunity for the public to be inspired by works that have been influenced by diverse local, regional and international elements.
The exhibition is the culmination of four years of diligent studying, researching, debating, and designing.
“The works of the students highlight their individual interests and reflect their personalities,” explained Leland Hill, assistant professor of Graphic Design at VCUQ. “The vision of their work, by what and why they were inspired must be documented in their thesis.”
A diverse range of subjects is addressed in the Graphic Design department’s display, which ranges from typography to Qatar’s visual identify, to gender stereotypes, to how a scent can be visualised, and to how the changes of light can affect a design.
Shattering gender stereotypes is graphic design graduate Noora al-Fadala’s leitmotif of her Fit the Mold exhibition.
Al-Fadala would like to create awareness of gender stereotypes in her country that prevent a woman from joining the army or a man from studying fashion design, for example.
Cherif Amor, chair of Interior Design at VCUQ, emphasised the importance of nurturing a culturally diverse learning experience.
Amor said: “Diversity is highly important, along with innovation, collaboration and sustainability to address the needs of the ‘glocal’ (local and global considerations) contexts.”
His students have addressed these needs, which focus on everything from migrant housing solutions, to sustainable and ethical interior designs all the way to pods that simulate the effects of living in colonies on Mars.
Through their diverse works of art representing religious, societal and personal issues, students of the Painting and Printmaking programme are trying to change the world and not just understand it.
Rhys Himsworth, the chair of Painting and Printmaking at VCUQ, believes that: “The graduates will play a significant role in shaping the cultural landscape of Qatar and beyond.”
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