Barcelona Preparation Sheet- Unit 3, A-level Fine Art

A page from my Architectual Journal, Current Unit 3 A-level Fine Art

Summer Journal, Sutton Trust Summer School Project and Current Unit 3 A-level Fine Art Work

Observations Preparation Sheet, Unit 2: Aspects of Industry, AS Fine Art

Illustration and Design Preparation Sheet Unit 2, AS Fine Art

Ugly Duckling Design Sheet, Unit 2 AS Fine Art

Final Piece Plan Preparation Sheet, Unit 2 AS Fine Art

Farm Illustration Final Piece, Unit 2 AS Fine Art

Artist Presentation: Beatriz Milhaze- Unit 1, AS Fine Art

A1 Preparation Sheet- showing motif ideas, Unit 1 AS Fine Art

A1 Preperation Sheet of compositions, Unit 1: Motifs- Beatriz Milhaze, AS Fine Art



Final Piece, Unit 1 AS Fine Art- Painted Canvas

Statement

Attending the University of Manchester Open Day this summer was the first time I have visited the city of Manchester: I liked how well the city and the universities integrated. I find the prospect of studying Architecture in such a large vibrant city with a variety of Architecture exciting as it contrasts the town of Wrexham which I come from. Manchester has fascinating history- it was the first industrialised city in the world and the process of urbanisation is something that interests me having recently studied this in A-level Geography. The city is culturally rich and diverse offering me the chance to learn from people with different ideas and from different backgrounds. Manchester School of Architecture is amongst some of the best schools in the UK. I like how it is a unique collaboration between University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University allowing its students to benefit from being part of both institutions with great resources to facilitate learning.
I have recently visited Barcelona in early October and it is the most colourful city I have been to, enhanced by the work of Antoni Gaudi (1852–1926) whom I studied whilst I was there. I had the opportunity to visit the extraordinary Sagrada Familia- the breathtaking Basilica. Gaudi’s inspiration from forms of nature is recognisable within the details of the Basilica especially the columns inside resembling trunks of trees. I was able to observe the completed Nativity and Passion Façades. The detail and symbolism within the façades is astonishing- the Nativity Façade representing the birth of Jesus Christ and the Passion Façade representing the death. I personally preferred the Nativity Façade. I think it is very visible where Gaudi finished working on the Basilica- there is an apparent contrast between the two façades- the Passion Façade having much sharper lines and less detail. Antoni Gaudi is one of my favourite architects: his passion for his Catalan culture is evident within his work making Barcelona famous with his iconic and distinct architecture. His ingenious style contributed greatly towards the Spanish Art Nouveau movement.
One building I would love to visit is the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, Canada to see the Michael Lee-Chin Crystal- a Deconstructivist crystalline-form extension designed by Daniel Libeskind. I am intrigued to see whether or not the structure would appeal to me in person, from pictures I have seen my opinion is torn. I would like to be able to see the contrast between the old and new elements of the building and also experience the complex interior of the structure. I admire Libeskind’s risk taking with buildings such as this one and his strive to create a more beautiful world, however, I am unsure about whether many of his buildings do this.