Carina Levitan's A Bike, A Suitcase And An Umbrella

A floating weather forecaster, a performing bicycle and ringside seats at the circus… it could only be the cream of the Best of Ten crop. For the uninitiated – where have you been? – Best of Ten is 21 pieces of work selected from this year’s LCC graduate shows. Public voting cards and industry figureheads picked out work from a variety of disciplines, including photography, sound arts, surface and graphic design and photojournalism.

This week, the final exhibition was officially unveiled in a private view at the college’s new basement gallery space. After a summer of diligent and devoted work from staff and students, the finished product was a sensory treat. The room abuzz with whirring cogs and self-playing violins, a visual onslaught of touching images and thought-provoking film and animation truly showcased the new generation of talent housed within the hallowed walls of LCC.

Richard Harvey's Floating Forecaster

There was a palpable sense of enthusiasm from graduates and current students alike, typical of the forward-thinking encouraged by the college and, without sounding like a Sunday supplement ‘Ones to Watch’ list, we’re pretty certain the artists in question are destined for big things.

We caught up with photojournalist Francesca D’Ascari, whose work Diaries of Kurdistan was selected for Best of Ten by a public vote after her initial final show back in June. The project focused on the plight of Kurdish women in the UK. Francesca says her interest in human rights and women’s rights drives her to produce such engaging work.

Asked of her thoughts on Best of Ten, she said: “I think tonight shows the future of art, how different disciplines can and should work together. You have so many things to look at and interact with, and that’s the key for modern art – using all the mediums available. For example, I traditionally work with print, but am looking to branch into multimedia.”

Nicola Ryan's Growth Through Complexity

It would be ever so biased for us to pick our favourite, so we implore you to stop by the gallery and decide for yourself. The show runs in the new gallery from 19  August to 15 October, 11am – 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Big congratulations to all involved and keep up the good work!

Words: Natalie Hardwick