Surface Design graduate talent spotted by London art gallery
Dan Matthews - centre of attention
Wed, 30 Jul 2014 11:36:00 BST
The work of Dan Matthews will feature at the Aram Gallery in Covent Garden
A TALENT spotter from a leading London art gallery has selected the work of a University of Huddersfield design graduate for inclusion in a special exhibition.
Not only has Dan Matthews just received First Class Honours for his BA degree in Surface Design for Fashion and Interiors, but he is also a recent award-winner in a nationwide contest run by the Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC), leading to a trip to China in order to take part in a global competition later in the year. Also, he was one of 13 Huddersfield students whose work was showcased at the New Designers 2014 exhibition at the Business Centre in London.
It attracted 17,719 visitors, including employers, buyers and manufacturers – plus Héloïse Parke, curator of the Aram Gallery in Covent Garden. As part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, the gallery is mounting an exhibition of work by 26 of the UK’s most promising design graduates of 2014.
Dan (pictured), aged 23, was invited to take part and his inventively-coloured fashion fabrics will be showcased. His design entitled BLOC has been used to illustrate promotional material for the show, which runs until August 23.
Dan states that the diverse inspirations for BLOC include the ancient art of paper weaving and the architectural heritage of London, although he has adapted traditional techniques in order to produce highly-contemporary, digitally-printed fabrics. He has been noted for his forward-thinking use of colour and course leader Joanne Harris says that Dan’s work has “an unusual twist”.
“He can forecast colour and I think that’s something that isn’t taught. It’s an ability or sense which comes naturally to him. He sees colour first hand and it hasn’t been sourced by something else, therefore his work is all original.”
Earlier in the year, Dan – who is from Cannock – won the UK heat of the SDC’s International Design Competition, held at the Houses of Parliament. He will now represent the UK in the world final, to be held in China in November, competing against 11 other contestants for the £1,000 first prize – plus a boost to his career as a surface designer.
