Falmouth University Fine Arts 2025 End of Degree Show

It was a lovely sunny day here on Falmouth University Woodlane Campus, where the graduates of 2025 got to exhibit their artwork to the public. There was no holding back on the variation of art students created this year, with 107 individuals set up ranging from installations to traditional painting.

You could explore in the Goldfish Bowl, Lamorva, Belmont, and Rosehill buildings, all within 5 minutes walking distance to one another - although be ready to tackle the hill which guides you up towards Lamorva from the Goldfish Bowl!

The exhibition runs runs from May 24th - 31st 2025.

Artist Lily-Grace Magner (instagram: @lilygraceportfolio) explores the female body and gender fluidity. Her 'Garden of Love', dedicated to her Aunt who passed recently, is a beautiful representation of what it means to bring new life into the world after one is lost - acting as a form of therapy and healing.

Her ceramics collection is filled with pieces depicting female body, with vegetation flourishing from the cracks that symbolise a craving for stability, whilst also demanding adjustment to the unexpected. The sounds from the synthesizer are connected into the earth of the main centerpiece, where you can not only see and hear the artwork, but you are also able to touch and smell its surroudings.

Magner works as a volunteer and holds workshops at Garath the Goat Pottery (instagram @garath.the.goat.pottery), based in penryn once a week. The Pottery Studio is owned by a queer woman and has its' own tight-knit community where everyone is accepted and welcomed to join - whether you're a beginner or a pro!

Overlooking the rest of Woodlane Campus, Lily-Grave Magners' exhibition piece was not one to miss. It holds a story, and leaves you with a sense of calmness and bliss of reconnecting to nature.

Max Bennett (instagram @maxybennettart) exhibited three paintings titled 'GOATHOUSE', all illlustrating sexual fluidty and what it means to show love as a man.

The limited artist palette of oranges and blacks is indulging, alluring, but also threatnening. It suggests a warning, or perhaps, as Bennett speaks about his art on his instagram page, it is a representation of "the inability to love through words", and the "subconsious desire to love each other, as they would a woman". Their aggressive viewpoints of what it means to demonstrate affection is connected to the strong contrast of colours.

Infact, you can feel the level of intimacy changes drastically from painting to painting. In the middle, the man is seen holding the other mans' face. A calm, heartwarming moment between the two of them, where they are enjoying one anothers' space, with the focus on brushwork and composition as opposed to detail. The left and right paintings show the vulnerability of the men, as their faces are theatrical, and their embrace to each other is exposed.

Artist Rachael Elves (instagram: @maryraesart) put together this stunning installation artwork, where it is hung from the ceiling infront of a window.

You may not see from this photograph, but there are six separate pieces all individually coordinated to create the effect that they are inter-connecting with their bright pinks, reds and blues shining through. Elves' process and technique is truely admirable, with patience and discipline guiding her through her artmaking.

You could argue that her inspiration originated from traditional stained glass art that is commonly seen on churches, showing her connection and relationship to Christianity and family. In fact, her chosen flower is native to her home country, South Africa - the Protea.

If you got to visit the art exhibition like myself, I am sure you will agree that it was a success. Having seen previous years, this one was a memorable one for me. Next end of degree show will be held next year 2026 at the end of may. Look out for social media advertisement and posters around Falmouth. Or, visit the Falmouth University page.