The Royal College of Art mentors Wandsworth artists
The Royal College of Art has teamed up with a town hall to offer mentoring support to three emerging artists and makers in Wandsworth aged 16 to 25.
The winners include an artist and a creative duo, who will be supported with tailored mentoring by RCA graduates to develop their creative practice and showcase their work in a digital exhibition on the Wandsworth Art platform.
The artists work across a broad range of media, including drawing, sculpture, architecture, 3D animation, and video.
Their work explores critical issues including the climate emergency and the relationship between the individual and urban space.
WHABBstudio is a creative duo who are based in Nine Elms. The studio works collectively to explore our changing world and humans’ impact on the environment.
Both members of the duo, India Gabb and Zoe Wheeler, graduated from Wimbledon College of Arts. Since then they have collaborated with socially engaged organisations such as APT Gallery, Digital Maker Collective, Tate Exchange and Uniqlo Tate Lates, Tate Modern.
The duo said: “As a creative partnership, we are very excited to be participating in the mentorship and to connect with new people.
“We are looking forward to receiving guidance on how best to engage communities through the arts and new media, whilst sharing and promoting different perspectives around the collective issue of climate change.
“We are looking forward to participating in the online exhibition, and to see what other artists exhibit.”
Izabel Wocial is the other artist to win the award. She is a Furzedown based artist who grew up in Wandsworth. Her artwork focuses on the tensions and interrelationships between human society and urban space.
Izabel explores the concept of expanded drawing across her practice through evolving from two to three-dimensional drawing, questioning the boundaries of drawing using materials, line, space, form and process.
She said: “I’m delighted to have been selected for the RCA mentoring scheme, it will provide a new focus for my work and it’s a privilege to have this opportunity to be supported by other artists, especially in these times”
Victoria Patrick, RCA Community Engagement Manager said: “The RCA’s commitment to building meaningful connections with London’s diverse communities has only been strengthened by the challenges introduced by Covid-19.
“It’s been inspiring to see how RCA students, staff and our local community are staying connected and supporting one another.
“It’s been amazing to work with Wandsworth Council for a third year running, not only to host a fantastic exhibition, but to nurture and support local artists and bolster creative networks.”
Participating artists will showcase their work in a digital exhibit on the Wandsworth Art platform, launching on December 5.
Go to https://wandsworthart.com/journal/