Trevor Healy from Grange, Co Waterford is the proud recipient of the inaugural South East Technological University (SETU) Waterford Campus Visual Art award sponsored by Novus SETU Waterford.
Trevor, a recent graduate of the BA (Hons) in Visual Art, was presented with his award by Mike Geoghegan, CEO of Novus at a ceremony hosted by the School of Humanities at SETU Waterford.
Trevor explained that his winning portfolio aims to explore the ever-changing perspective of the human - animal relationship. It considers how our lives interweave with other sentient beings and how these personal relationships differ so dramatically from our conflicting perspective of animal welfare.
Trevor’s winning pieces of work had been exhibited during the Final Year Degree Show at Garter Lane Gallery in Waterford from May to July 2022 along with all final year Arts students’ work. The students drew on an array of diverse and thought-provoking themes and ideas, with artworks ranging in mediums from drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, installation, and video work.
Dr Suzanne Denieffe, Head of School of Humanities, Waterford campus, offered her congratulations to Mr Healy saying, “The BA (Hons) in Visual Art students’ work in the Final Year Degree show is always excellent, very thought provoking and of a high standard.
“We wanted to find some way to recognise the commitment of our students as well as acknowledge the creative innovations and ingenuity of the students’ work and we are delighted that Mr Healy’s work is receiving this recognition.”
Mr Mike Geoghegan, CEO Novus said that, “Novus seek to enhance the experience for our student and staff community in many ways including through art and creativity and are delighted to sponsor this award. We wish Mr Healy every success in his future career.”
Speaking at the ceremony Prof Veronica Campbell, President of SETU spoke of the importance of the award. “Art in our teaching, learning, research and work environments adds enormous value to the cultural and aesthetic vitality of the SETU community. Programmes in the Humanities, including our art degree programmes, are very important to SETU and to our region and beyond. We particularly value our links with the cultural bodies within the region, including the external organisations, Garter Lane and GOMA Waterford and Wexford Arts Centre, who support our students in their degree shows.”
The Visual Art programme at SETU Waterford offers students the opportunity to work broadly and experimental across a wide range of fine art media and practices, these include drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, performance, video and digital media. On this studio-based programme, emphasis is placed on developing both the student’s visual awareness and artistic analysis through theoretical and historical contexts in contemporary art in order to shape and develop each student’s individual art practices. For more information visit www.setu.ie/se203.