Inspired by a lifelong passion for endangered species and plants, Jessica Kirkpatrick, 22, from Lytham St Annes, won the prestigious Creative Lancashire Award for Enterprise. The talented textiles design student at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) claimed the award at a recent 2020 Degree Shows award ceremony, which took place live on line for the very first time.
Combining an exceptional talent for drawing, with different experimental processes including screen printing and mark making, Jess created an impressive final collection, ‘Living Specimen’. The eye-catching prints were incorporated into wallpaper and fabric designs. In fact, a number of products are now available to buy from the textile entrepreneurs on-line shop.
Having just graduated from the BA(Hons)Textiles Design programme, Jess explained:
“My lifelong passion for the environment and the living world inspired me to create a body of work which focused on endangered species and the habitats in which they live. I wanted to create designs that can educate people on species they may never have heard about before.
Hopefully my work will capture people’s attention and help to start conversations, whether it’s asking about the unusual creature climbing through the branches or, how the print would look as a whole in their home.
I try to capture flora and fauna as realistically as I can. In fact, I’ve been making my own scientific discoveries along the way.”
Each year, students from across UCLan’s creative disciplines are entered for the award. The winner must demonstrate excellence and a high level of professionalism or industry readiness. The judging panel this year included Chair of Creative Lancashire Jenny Rutter, a producer with two decades’ experience supporting and developing creative practice in the North West. Jenny is also a director of British Textiles Biennial.
Commenting on Jess’s achievement Jenny said:
“We are delighted to recognise Jess this year. She has not only created a cohesive, creative and commercial portfolio of work but also made a powerful statement about environmental issues and endangered species. We are convinced she has all the qualities needed to forge a successful career in the years to come.”
Creative Lancashire have facilitated a meeting for Jess with the creative team as Standfast & Barracks, to provide feedback and advice for the talented student.
In addition to Jess, UCLan’s 2020 Art show awards saw seven other students from a variety of creative disciplines recognised for the quality of their work. The winners were: Nellie Jenkinson, Architecture Technology; Brandon Kinder, Product Design; Ellie Spicket, Graphic Design; Tiwiyari Ndora, Fashion Promotion; Nathan Johnson, Photography; Andrea Banks, Foundation – Art & Design (3D) and Lukasz Kyc, Games Design.
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