Year 14 students at Ron Dearing UTC are showcasing their artistic talents at a special public exhibition in Hull.
Titled ‘Before the Breakthrough’, the exhibition marks the culmination of the students’ time at Ron Dearing UTC, celebrating their growth and development as emerging artists as they prepare to progress into university or employment.
Hosted at the Hull Artists Research Initiative (HARI) on Francis Street, Hull, the exhibition features an impressive breadth of work – from concept art and street photography to ceramics and film. Each of the seven students has created a distinct installation, expressing their individual creative style and often exploring themes and issues that hold personal significance.
The exhibition also provides the students with valuable real‑world experience in curating, organising, and managing a public show. Their reflections on this process will form part of their assessment journals, contributing to their final grades and preparing them for future exhibitions in higher education and the creative industries.
Year 14 students, Tom Coldbeck, Matthew Bestley, Henry Garland Collins, Hayden Taylor, Jessie Duncan, Kitty Every and Kal Mears are exhibiting their work at Hull Artists Research Initiative.
Find out more about the students and their installations below:
The Cycle – Kitty Every
Budding film-maker Kitty Every has taken her experience of living with insomnia to create a short film depicting internal and external conflicts caused by the sleep disorder.
The film takes inspiration from Avant-Garde Cinema and the artist Tracey Emin. Featuring small animations and quick montage scenes mixed with moments of stillness, Kitty hopes to convey themes of time, distortion and repetition.
Palimpsest – Jessie Duncan
Jessie Duncan will take visitors on a journey through time with her mixed-media exhibition inspired by her own family and the passing of time.
The installation will feature repurposed clothes and objects embroidered with conversations between Jessie, and her Great Great Grandmother, also named Jessie, to represent the past and the present colliding and evoke feelings of nostalgia.
The Mundane – Tom Coldbeck
Graphic designer and photographer, Tom Coldbeck aims to document the realities of today’s society through his exhibition of street photography captured in towns and cities across Europe and the UK.
The focus of Tom’s exhibit is The Mundane, with his photographs aiming to highlight seemingly ordinary moments and ‘everyday’ people. His work encourages viewers to look beyond the surface, prompting deeper thought about the stories behind each individual and the wider social issues shaping life in today’s society.
Encounter – Matthew Bestley
Ceramicist Matthew Bestley hopes to inspire people to consider how we interact with space and sculptures through his exhibit, with visitors encouraged to explore his installation whilst taking in the sculptures from different angles.
Crediting sculptor Barbara Hepworth as his main inspiration, Matthew says his exhibit is meant to feel almost human in the ways the sculptures interact with each other, and the space.
Gothic Impressions – Hayden Taylor
Budding interior designer Hayden Taylor aims to reimagine Gothic architecture with a modern twist, to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions people have about the Gothic style.
Hayden’s installation incorporates examples of Gothic architecture from around Hull and East Yorkshire with modern twists to create an atmospheric and immersive experience.
Amalgamation – Henry Garland-Collins
Inspired by the experiences of being a young person living through the Covid-19 pandemic, Henry uses mixed media to create a wearable art piece which aims to capture the feelings and emotions of a moment in time, turned into art.
The installation aims to convey feelings of claustrophobia, fear, being restricted and ‘holding on by a thread’, which Henry personally experienced during the lockdowns.
Science Fantasy – Kal Mears
Graphic illustrator Kal Mears exhibit showcases concept art and designs for a theoretical video game, depicting the artist’s process of gathering inspiration and developing detailed characters for films and video games.
Taking inspiration from sci-fi and fantasy films and video games, Kal hopes to transport visitors into another world with illustrations of the characters and their personal stories.
- ‘Before the Breakthrough’ will take place from June 6th-11th at HARI’s multidisciplinary arts venue at 25 Francis Street, HU2 8DT.
- The exhibition will be open daily from 11 am – 4 pm. No need to book, simply turn up!
- Please note the exhibition will take place on the first floor of HARI. Unfortunately, there is no lift available.
