Loving the pain and joy of learning – Chichester artist

This year’s show previews on June 4 from 6-9pm and is then open to the public from June

5-10, weekdays 11am-6pm, weekends 11am-4pm at St Michaels, Bognor Regis Campus, car park entrance off Felpham Way, PO21 1HR.

“I'm really interested in the relationship between how women and animals are both treated,” Dev says. “I'm interested in the parochial system which places them together especially in terms of language and the ways that our bodies are used. You've got that whole thing of being born a chick and then you are a hen when you have a hen party and then when you turn into an old woman you are a crone. You've got that bird terminology and that's fascinating to me. I do like to have that edge. I think it makes it interesting.”

Dev, aged 24, from Brighton, chose to study in Chichester “because Chichester had such a brilliant space and the room that I'm in is just beautiful. It's a really intimate space compared to somewhere like Brighton where there are so many people that you could just get swallowed up.”

And it has provided the perfect environment in which to develop as an artist: “When I first started I was so set in my ways about what I wanted to do in my three years here. Now as I am leaving I'm looking at a whole body of work that I didn't really expect to be making. I have loved it.

“I'm an oil painter. I work on large-scale canvases with oils. I mostly paint women's bodies and animal figures, like grotesque bodies stuff. I'm looking to do a residency at the university (after graduating). They are allowing some alumni to come back and work in the studios, and if I could get six months of studio space that would be what I want to do most.

“I have really enjoyed my time here. It has been incredibly difficult but that has added to it. Learning is supposed to be painful and it has been incredibly painful but I think that that been the most enjoyable thing about it. There is a lot of physical work and a lot of long hours. I take a long time on one of my paintings. It takes me two months to do a giant painting. And that means you don't get the instant gratification. You have to learn that it is more of a longer process. And that's a great thing. I've never had this long to be able to paint something before. You have always had to get it out as soon as possible but Chichester has allowed me to explore what I want to be as an artist and how to manage that and how manage my own time.”

As for the degree show, there is certainly pressure: “I'm not worried about as people seeing my work. I have already prepared myself for friends and family being a bit shocked! But hopefully my work will make people think a bit. I want people to have space within themselves to grow, and if they see something that makes them think then that is a good thing.”

For the exhibition, car parking is pay by phone. Mon-Fri 8am-6pm £2.10 per hrs. All other times £1.50 set fee. Free entry.

Tim Sandys-Renton, senior lecturer in fine art and programme coordinator, said: “Twelve talented fine art students are graduating this year having steadily built up a considerable level of artistic skill and theoretical underpinning over the last three years. They demonstrate real integrity, have all developed unusual styles, imagery and ideas, and are now ready to present their artistic visions to the wider community. This is an exhibition of contemporary art that builds on traditional skills and ideas as well as introducing highly individual perspectives on the world.”