1-7 July: Edward James Studios, West Dean College, nr. Chichester

12-15 July: Espacio Gallery, London

Critical Paths showcases the exciting creative talent of the College's Visual Arts students in the expansive Edward James Studios at West Dean, then at the Espacio Gallery in London. Exhibiting students present work developed over a year of intensive study, providing visitors with the opportunity to view original work by a group of emerging artists.

Dr. David Stent, Visual Arts Programme Leader comments, "The Summer Shows, both at West Dean and in London, offer students a great opportunity to exhibit their work in different settings and to different audiences. The scope and ambition of the work on display is testament to the students' engagement over what has been a remarkable year."

The exhibitions include painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, textile, film, installation and automata. The twelve exhibiting artists are Laura Luna Castillo, Sarah Cliff, Susan Evans, Lester Korzilius, Merna Liddawi, Chérie Lubbock, Barbara Mackie, Isabella Ramsay, Deborah Ravetz, Hala Sabet, Christopher Walker, and Askild Winkelmann. All have been studying full time for their graduate and postgraduate diploma or MFA. The group has achieved awards, exhibited and taken part in TV filming for the College's recent Arts and Craft Festival.

Student Hala Sabet reflects on her installation Dwelling, "My inspiration has been very much from the site here. I've been inspired by all the trees we're surrounded by, also by Edward James' concrete jungle in Mexico (Las Pozas), the shapes of what he was doing, as well as the process of concrete casting."

Historic references and a sense of place have influenced and inspired students' work. Director of Education, Francine Norris explains, "The College has a legacy of having been involved in an international art movement which is represented in our teaching collection and archive. It's a setting that's very inspiring to students. We encourage students to develop site specific work here that references not only the current physical context but also West Dean's rich cultural history."

Critical Paths is a remarkable graduate show - be sure to catch it at West Dean College or in London.

View more images of the preview here.