Wimbledon College of Art
Encyclopedia
Wimbledon College of Art (formerly Wimbledon School of Art) is a constituent college of the University of the Arts London
and is one of London
's major art institutions. It is located in Wimbledon
and Merton Park
, South West London
.
Painting
and Sculpture
in 1966 and 1970 with William Brooker as the newly appointed Principal.
In 1974, undergraduate degrees were offered throughout the school, with the first postgraduate diploma
being offered in 1981. The school was incorporated as an independent Higher Education institution with its degrees accredited by the University of Surrey
in 1995.
The school was the first to offer artists residency, studio and exhibition space in the United Kingdom
in 2000, with new studios and a lecture theatre opening in 2003. Wimbledon School of Art joined the University of the Arts London
in 2006 and was renamed Wimbledon College of Art. The New Gallery and Foyer Space, together with two exhibition spaces, opened during the same year.
Each school delivers a suite of specialist art and design courses ranging from foundation
, undergraduate and postgraduate, as well as providing research supervision for students undertaking a research programme of study.
, with Camberwell College of Arts
, Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design
, Chelsea College of Art and Design
, London College of Communication
and London College of Fashion
.
University of the Arts London
The University of the Arts London, formerly known as the London Institute, is a collegiate university comprising six internationally recognised art, design, fashion and media colleges in London, England...
and is one of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
's major art institutions. It is located in Wimbledon
Wimbledon, London
Wimbledon is a district in the south west area of London, England, located south of Wandsworth, and east of Kingston upon Thames. It is situated within Greater London. It is home to the Wimbledon Tennis Championships and New Wimbledon Theatre, and contains Wimbledon Common, one of the largest areas...
and Merton Park
Merton Park
Merton Park is a place in the London Borough of Merton. It is a quiet and leafy suburb situated between Wimbledon, Morden, South Wimbledon and Wimbledon Chase. It is 7.3 miles south-west of Charing Cross...
, South West London
South West (London sub region)
The South West is a sub-region of the London Plan corresponding to the London Boroughs of London Borough of , Kingston upon Thames, Lambeth, Merton, Richmond upon Thames, Sutton and Wandsworth. The sub region was established in 2008. The south west has a population of 1,600,000 and is the location...
.
History
Wimbledon College of Art was founded in 1890 as an art class in the Rutlish School for Boys. In 1904, the school expanded, housing four rooms in the Technical Institute situated at Gladstone Road. The Headmaster of the school, AJ Collister, also acted as joint head for Reigate and the Kingston School of Art. In 1930, Gerald Cooper was appointed as Principal when Wimbledon became independent of Reigate and Kingston. Theatre design was introduced shortly after, in 1932, by Morris Kestelman. The school moved to its present site in Merton Hall Road in 1940. The theatre design class expanded in 1948 and introduced its own theatre, adjacent from the school in 1963. The school was approved to offer diplomas in Fine ArtFine art
Fine art or the fine arts encompass art forms developed primarily for aesthetics and/or concept rather than practical application. Art is often a synonym for fine art, as employed in the term "art gallery"....
Painting
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
and Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...
in 1966 and 1970 with William Brooker as the newly appointed Principal.
In 1974, undergraduate degrees were offered throughout the school, with the first postgraduate diploma
Postgraduate diploma
A postgraduate diploma is a postgraduate qualification awarded typically after a bachelor's degree. It can be contrasted with a graduate diploma...
being offered in 1981. The school was incorporated as an independent Higher Education institution with its degrees accredited by the University of Surrey
University of Surrey
The University of Surrey is a university located within the county town of Guildford, Surrey in the South East of England. It received its charter on 9 September 1966, and was previously situated near Battersea Park in south-west London. The institution was known as Battersea College of Technology...
in 1995.
The school was the first to offer artists residency, studio and exhibition space in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 2000, with new studios and a lecture theatre opening in 2003. Wimbledon School of Art joined the University of the Arts London
University of the Arts London
The University of the Arts London, formerly known as the London Institute, is a collegiate university comprising six internationally recognised art, design, fashion and media colleges in London, England...
in 2006 and was renamed Wimbledon College of Art. The New Gallery and Foyer Space, together with two exhibition spaces, opened during the same year.
Schools
Wimbledon is divided into three academic schools:- School of Foundation Studies
- School of Fine Art
- School of Theatre
Each school delivers a suite of specialist art and design courses ranging from foundation
Foundation degree
The Foundation Degree is a vocational qualification introduced by the government of the United Kingdom in September 2001, which is available in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
, undergraduate and postgraduate, as well as providing research supervision for students undertaking a research programme of study.
Affiliations
Wimbledon is a constituent college of the University of the Arts LondonUniversity of the Arts London
The University of the Arts London, formerly known as the London Institute, is a collegiate university comprising six internationally recognised art, design, fashion and media colleges in London, England...
, with Camberwell College of Arts
Camberwell College of Arts
Camberwell College of Arts is a constituent college of the University of the Arts London, and is widely regarded as one of the world's foremost art and design institutions. It is located in Camberwell, South London, England, with two sites situated at Peckham Road and Wilson Road...
, Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design
Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design
Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design is a constituent college of the University of the Arts London. The school has an outstanding international reputation, and is considered one of the world's leading art and design institutions...
, Chelsea College of Art and Design
Chelsea College of Art and Design
Chelsea College of Art and Design, the erstwhile Chelsea School of Art, is a constituent college of the University of the Arts London, and is a leading British art and design institution with an international reputation...
, London College of Communication
London College of Communication
The London College of Communication is a constituent college of the University of the Arts London, located in Elephant and Castle. It has about 5,000 students on 60 courses in media and design courses preparing students for careers in the creative industries...
and London College of Fashion
London College of Fashion
London College of Fashion is a constituent college of the University of the Arts London, offering undergraduate, postgraduate, short courses and business-training in fashion, make-up, beauty-therapy and lifestyle industries...
.
Notable alumni
- James AchesonJames AchesonJames Acheson is a British costum designer.Born in Leicester, Acheson has a twin brother, Patrick. In the early 1950s, Acheson was a pupil at St. Marys Convent School, in Priory Street, Colchester, along with his brother...
(Costume Designer and triple OscarAcademy AwardsAn Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
Winner) - Lubaina HimidLubaina HimidLubaina HimidBorn1954 WebsiteLubaina Himid is a contemporary African artist African artist and Professor of Contemporary Art at the University of Central Lancashire. Her art focuses on themes of cultural history and reclaiming identities...
(Artist) - Nik BorrowNik BorrowNik Borrow is a bird artist, ornithological tour leader for Birdquest and an expert in west African birds.He is co-author and sole illustrator of Birds of Western Africa in the Helm Identification Guides series, published by Christopher Helm in 2001, the first guide to feature illustrations of all...
(Artist) - Michael Lawrence CadmanMichael Lawrence Cadman-Biography:*1920 November 9 Born in Epsom, Surrey*1937-39 Wimbledon School of Art, Education Exams in Drawing*1941 Wimbledon School of Art, Education Exams in Painting*1941-44 Royal College of Art, Diploma in Painting...
(Artist) - John Joseph HaldaneJohn Joseph HaldaneJohn Joseph Haldane is a leading Scottish philosopher, commentator and broadcaster. He is a Papal Adviser to the Vatican. He is credited with coining the term Analytical Thomism, and is himself a Thomist in the analytic tradition....
(Philosopher) - Raymond BriggsRaymond BriggsRaymond Redvers Briggs is an English illustrator, cartoonist, graphic novelist, and author who has achieved critical and popular success among adults and children...
(Author) - Jeff BeckJeff BeckGeoffrey Arnold "Jeff" Beck is an English rock guitarist. He is one of three noted guitarists to have played with The Yardbirds...
(Musician) - Georgina ChapmanGeorgina ChapmanGeorgina Chapman is an English fashion designer and actress. Chapman, alongside Keren Craig, an actress and a former model, are the co-founders of fashion label Marchesa.-Biography:...
(Co-Founder of Fashion Label Marchesa) - Tony CraggTony CraggTony Cragg is a British visual artist specialized in sculpture. He is currently the director of the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf.-Early life:Cragg was born in Liverpool in 1949...
(1988 Turner PrizeTurner PrizeThe Turner Prize, named after the painter J. M. W. Turner, is an annual prize presented to a British visual artist under the age of 50. Awarding the prize is organised by the Tate gallery and staged at Tate Britain. Since its beginnings in 1984 it has become the United Kingdom's most publicised...
winner) - Prunella CloughPrunella CloughPrunella Clough was a prominent 20th century British artist. "Her subjects are closely observed details and scenes from the landscape...
(1999 Jerrold Prize Winner) - Peter DoigPeter DoigPeter Doig is a contemporary artist born in Scotland. In 2007, a painting of Doig's, entitled White Canoe, sold at Sotheby's for $11.3 million, then an auction record for a living European artist.-Early life:...
(1994 Turner PrizeTurner PrizeThe Turner Prize, named after the painter J. M. W. Turner, is an annual prize presented to a British visual artist under the age of 50. Awarding the prize is organised by the Tate gallery and staged at Tate Britain. Since its beginnings in 1984 it has become the United Kingdom's most publicised...
nominee) - Annabel Dover (2002) (Artist) University of the Arts Permanent Collection
- Lesley Rankine 1983 (Musician in the band Silverfish(band) founder musician in the band Ruby(band) Artist)
- Richard HudsonRichard HudsonRichard “Dick” Hudson is a British linguist. He has lived in England for most of his life . He turned into a linguist via Loughborough Grammar School in Leicestershire , Corpus Christi College, Cambridge and the School of Oriental and African Studies...
(Stage Designer) - Harry RileyHarry RileyHarry Riley was an English first-class cricketer, who played four matches for Yorkshire County Cricket Club between 1895 and 1900....
(1985 Winner of the Liverpool Art Certificate) - Sarah GreenwoodSarah GreenwoodSarah Greenwood is an art director. She has been nominated three times for an Academy Award, in 2006 for Pride and Prejudice, in 2008 for Atonement, and in 2010 for Sherlock Holmes.-References:...
(Production Designer and OscarAcademy AwardsAn Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
nominee) - Rajesh TouchriverRajesh Touchriver-Biography:Rajesh was born in Kerala to a Malayali family. He inherited a flair for Kathakali, the classical dance of Kerala, from Siva Sankaran Nair, his father who was a veteran Kathakali artist. He also had some early training in Kalaripayattu, the martial art of Kerala...
(Internationally acclaimed Film Director and award winner - Iona McLeishIona McLeishIona McLeish is a London Theatre Award-winning British theatre designer and author that currently serves as head of the BA programme in theatre design at London drama school Rose Bruford College....
(Theatre Designer) - Christopher OramChristopher OramChristopher Oram is a British theatre set and costume designer.-Background:He trained at the West Sussex College of Art and Design ....
(Theatre Designer and Laurence Olivier AwardLaurence Olivier AwardsThe Laurence Olivier Award is presented annually by the Society of London Theatre to recognise excellence in professional theatre. Named after the renowned British actor Laurence Olivier, they are given for West End shows and other productions staged in London...
Winner) - Phoebe PhiloPhoebe PhiloPhoebe Philo is a British fashion designer and the Creative Director of Céline. Philo is also known for her work at Chloé.Philo graduated from Central Saint Martins in 1996, a year after Stella McCartney...
(Fashion designer and 2004 British Designer of the Year) - Mark TildesleyMark TildesleyMark Tildesley is a British designer and director. After graduating from the London College of Printing, earned a First Class BA Honours from the Wimbledon School of Art under the direction of ....
(Production Designer) - Graham A Hunter (Gallerist Artist)
- Martin Aynscomb-HarrisMartin Aynscomb-Harris (artist)- Life and work :Aynscomb-Harris was born in Farnham, Surrey on the 20th August 1937. He studied at Wimbledon College of Art 1956–1958 and then Hornsey College of Art 1958–1959...
(Artist) - Margaret RhodesMargaret Rhodes (artist)Margaret Rhodes studied fine art at Wimbledon School of Art and technical and scientific illustration in Bedfordshire. She is currently a governor on the Board of Directors at the Federation of British Artists ,Vice President of the Hesketh Hubbard Art Society, Mall Galleries, London and an...
(Artist and Illustrator) - Patrick Bremer (Artist and 2007 Royal Society of Portrait PaintersRoyal Society of Portrait PaintersThe Royal Society of Portrait Painters is a British association of portrait painters which holds an annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London...
Annual Exhibition winner of the De Laszlow Award)
Notable non-alumni
- Laurence Llewelyn-BowenLaurence Llewelyn-BowenLaurence Llewelyn-Bowen is a successful homestyle consultant best known for his appearances on the BBC television programme Changing Rooms...
- Anthony WoodAnthony Wood (artist)Anthony Wood, FSHA, FSSI is one of the most widely recognized heraldic artists of the 20th century and masters of heraldry.-Early life and career:In 1943, he graduated from Oundle High School...
,FSHA,FSSI, (Internationally acclaimed Heraldic Artist, Calligrapher and Illuminator - lecturer and art teacher (1965-1986) at the Wimbledon School of Art )