Spotlight on: Simon Rose, Art & Design Student
By Zoe Ranford, MDXSU Art & Design Events Intern
At the recent MDXSU Haunted House Party, we exhibited work from one talented student who won the Haunted House Art & Design competition.
The winner was Simon Rose, a first-year Fine Art student, who displayed two expressive pieces about corporate giants and the portrayal of evil, shown through two ghoulish characters, a vision that Simon had been working on for a while.
It’s a work in progress influenced by current affairs but inspired by neo expressionist painters. The base of the artwork was acrylic and collage, but Simon used glass to create more effect with the eyes, and heavy gels to thicken the paint and create a more structural piece that mimicked that of the corporate buildings.
Simon felt that the aesthetic of the artwork fitted a Halloween theme – and here, at MDXSU, we couldn’t agree more. He had just finished the second piece of work and it was all ready to go. Simon thought that the competition was a great platform for him to be involved with the Student’s Union and show his work in a rave-like setting - both pieces had already had individual success through a showcase event called Can’t Win. Don’t Try, an event that combines rave music with art in a “creative overload."
On the night of the party Simon loved the location of the artwork - behind the DJ set up - and how it sparked a lot of conversation with other partygoers.
Simon received what he described as the “VIP treatment” when he was allowed to bypass the queue and get free entry for him and his friends. He said that the competition was, “a great opportunity with a good incentive,” winning an Amazon voucher as well, as opposed to just exposure.
“Overall it was good and it seemed like a lot of effort went into making me feel appreciated. I would definitely get involved again.”
Expressive painting holds a piece of you in it. Simon felt the work reflected his emotions and naturally it's intimidating to put that on display to people in such an open way, but in the end, he felt empowered.
So where can you find out about these events? Well, Simon saw a poster in the photographic darkrooms, but we put these posters up all over notice boards around the university and are always posting opportunities on our social media pages and at www.mdxsu.com.
Simon spoke about his experiences at Middlesex University as a 1st Year, (BA) Fine Art student, saying that the best parts of his year so far have been integrating with like minded people - which is fantastic, due to one of his main reasons for choosing Middlesex University being the morals that it upholds. He also chose to come here because of the great facilities and, so far, they have not disappointed. Simon is also reveling in the free printing (a great bonus with the material costs of a Creative Subject) and the amount of frequent practicing guest lecturers.
So, what else is Simon Rose feeling inspired by at the moment and what can we expect to see from him in the future?
Currently he is working on a addition to the series, inspired by the US election and we should expect a lot more expressive pieces on the political landscape. He is going to be involved in a group show for (BA) Fine Art in February and his work will be displayed in another Can’t Win. Don’t Try event on the 26th April.
Check out Simon Rose on Instagram to see more of his powerful pieces of art: @simonrose_
