Every year when attending the Edinburgh College of Art degree show preview, I am reminded that 2 hours is never long enough to view each discipline fairly. The graduates work snakes endlessly around the floors of the main building before spilling into the newer library and cafe area of the college. Come opening time, the halls are instantly full of wine clad critics airing both their congratulations and ruthlessly honest opinions. With so many artists to cover, we will have more blogs from Central Station members giving their thoughts but for now, here are a few highlights.

Most of the textiles work is currently away being showcased at graduate fashion week in London leaving the room rather empty (it will be back by Friday 10th June) but William Waston-West and Linsey Orr still made it worth a visit. Lindsay’s Natural patterns fused with overlying shapes were crafted into bags and T-shirts whilst Watson-West’s pieces looks fantastic as interior solutions to cushions and curtains.

Linsey Orr

William Watson-West

Innovative product designer Paul Duddy partnered his confidence with quirky new product Watchjelly and received and almost constant stream of people smelling, wearing and testing his work. Made with real jelly, his product is a kit containing a watch mould, watch face and recipe book. The strap is fully durable (and edible!) and is a bio-plastic mixture made from kitchen ingredients. The success of his idea has lead to workshops in both London and Bristol science museums. One watch smelled of cinnamon, seriously.

Within interior design, ‘Would you like to sleep in your own toilet?’ By Patrycja Madecka was a thought provoking installation. It’s documentary style commentary approached the idea of creating better living conditions for UK prisoners. Patrycja’s extensive research into both foreign living quarters and sustainable solutions not only tackled interior ideas but posed questions about moral beliefs and the justice system as a whole. A post show political and artistic conversation was sparked after viewing this project.

Patrycia Madecka

Final stop was the top floor for the illustration work. It’s always a favourite and this years efforts did not disappoint. Immersed in a world of characters and graphics spanning a multitude of mediums from badges to tea towels, each stand held something unique. Matt MacCann’s  photographic inspired pieces tackled the concept of memory. Using a mixture of personal photographs, Matt created digital collages and original screenprints onto glass to reflect the notion of invented memory and warped reality. At the other end of the scale, Evannave created a whole new world of bright, bold juice monsters – a fictional brand selling bottled juices. In future she is hoping to have her characters plastered over shops and cafes. They would certainly brighten up the streets.

Matt McCann

Evannave

The ECA degree show runs until Sunday 19th June.

Monday – Thursday 10am – 8pm
Friday – Sunday 10am – 5pm

Visit the Degree show website for more information.

Got an opinion or degree show story? Leave a comment or join the discussion on Twitter with the #degreeshows hashtag.