The views of a photography student from City of Wolverhampton College on a series of famous prints have led him to the finals of a national public speaking competition.
Tyler Whiting, aged 18, who is studying for a UAL Level 3 extended diploma in art and design, specialising in photography, won the West Midlands heat of the Roche Court Educational Trust ARTiculation competition which encourages young people to look, think and speak about art.
The student delivered a 10-minute presentation on his views of artist Tim Mara’s1973 photographic screen prints from the Picnic series to an audience headed up by adjudicator Sarah Gregory, head of creative careers at the Creative Industries Federation, at the Barber Institute for Fine Arts in Birmingham.
Tyler, who was chosen to represent the college after presenting his views to tutors and fellow students in an internal competition, said: “I first saw the Mara series at an ARTiculation discovery day at Wolverhampton Art Gallery and was fascinated by the tiny details and the different layers in the pictures – I had to keep looking and even now I still spot something new!
“I was thrilled to win the regional heat as the other entries were very impressive and am very proud that I will be representing the college at the national finals.”
ARTiculation is a national event designed to promote the appreciation and discussion of art, by challenging students to give a short presentation on a physical work of art, artefact or architecture of their choice. The initiative is designed to stimulate students’ interest and understanding of art, while developing individual thinking, observation, research, language and presentation skills.
The finals of the competition will take place at Clare College, Cambridge on Friday, 13 March.
The college – which was named as Training Provider of the Year for its creative arts courses at the Creative and Cultural Skills Awards 2019 – is currently accepting applications for courses starting in 2020. Apply here!
