Postgraduate Degree Show celebrates innovation, craft and creative exploration

Manchester School of Art is celebrating another year of incredible talent with its annual Postgraduate Degree Show, More to Come, showcasing ambitious and innovative work from students across its master’s programmes. 

The exhibition brings together the work of graduating postgraduate students from a range of disciplines including animation, graphic design, textiles and fashion design technology, highlighting the breadth of creativity taking place across the School of Art and Manchester Fashion Institute. 

One of the projects on display is ‘Atoone’ by MA Fashion Design Technology student Elpitha Toulis, which explores how sensory experiences can shape the way people discover and engage with clothing. Toulis said: “My project examines how the sensory experience of clothing might inform fashion discovery. The concept considers fabric texture, seam placement, neckline pressure and labels: details that can shape a person’s experience of a garment but are often difficult to assess online.” 

Also exhibiting is MA Animation student Rachel Fosbrook, who specialises in traditional hand-drawn 2D animation inspired by anime. Her film, ‘L’Absurde’, explores themes of philosophy, psychology and history through a surreal dreamlike narrative. Fosbrook said: “My film ‘L’Absurde’ explores the use of tormenting subliminal voices to send the protagonist into a nightmarish dreamscape, creating the perfect opportunity to experiment with animation techniques. 

“I have combined an anime-inspired visual style with a technique called paint-on-glass or oil-on-glass, to add a layer of exploration to the subject matter and time period.” 

Fosbrook has already gained praise for her animation work as she was commissioned last year by the Imperial War Museum, with her 2D animation assets used in a short film celebrating the VJ Day 80 year anniversary. 

Another powerful project featured in the exhibition is ‘Broken But Well Put Together’ by MA Craft student Janet Douglas. Using reclaimed denim and textile sculpture, Douglas explores identity, emotional resilience and the expectations often placed on men throughout different stages of life. 

Douglas said: “My work focuses on storytelling, particularly through textiles and interaction. I use denim as my main fabric because it tells you a lot through its character, especially reclaimed denim. The more it is worn, the more character it develops, and, like people, every piece has its own history and personality. 

“This project was inspired by a topic that is not only important to discuss, but also extremely personal to me. As a mum of two boys, I have watched them, as well as male friends and people around me, navigate who they are, new and existing emotions, and the challenges of understanding what they need to manage these experiences. 

“I wanted to explore the expectations placed on men to appear strong, resilient and emotionally self-contained, and what might sit beneath that outward appearance. 

“Each bear represents a different stage of life: childhood, adolescence, young adulthood and adulthood. Their changing size reflects the passage of time, while the changing tones and condition of the denim reflect age and experience.”

The Postgraduate Degree Show continues Manchester School of Art’s commitment to supporting emerging creative talent and providing opportunities for students to share their work with wider audiences. 

Gavin Schaffer, Pro Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, said: “This year’s exhibition showcases the depth of talent across our postgraduate programmes and reflects the technical excellence and thoughtful creative enquiry of our student’s work. 

“The exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to engage with a diverse range of contemporary ideas while recognising the dedication, imagination and resilience that have shaped each student’s journey.” 

More to Come is open from Tuesday 29^th September until Sunday 4^th October across Lowry, Grosvenor, Righton and SODA buildings on the Manchester Metropolitan University campus.