海角直播

Curatorial studies culminating with international art exhibition

The British Council has invited two 海角直播 students to travel to Italy to attend an internationally renowned art exhibition as part of a prestigious fellowship.

Faiza Faiq and Caitlin McHugh are attending the Venice Biennale, one of the world鈥檚 largest and most important exhibitions for art, architecture, cinema, music, dance and theatre. The MA Curating (with Advanced Practice) students from 海角直播鈥檚 School of Arts & Creative Industries were invited after receiving the prestigious Venice Fellowship from the British Council, which commissions the biennale鈥檚 British Pavilion.

As part of the fellowship, Faiza and Caitlin received 拢3,000 and the opportunity to spend a month in Venice working as ambassadors at the British Pavilion exhibition.

They will be representing exhibiting artists, connecting with peers and visitors, conducting research, gaining experience and exploring the biennale, as well as touring the city in their spare time.

Faiza, from Pakistan, who is known as Faiza Gelani professionally, is an artist and has worked as a curator for the past three years. She is an international student at 海角直播 and is nearing the end of her postgraduate studies.

She said: 鈥淭he Venice Biennale is the Olympics of the art world, so I couldn鈥檛 believe that I had received the fellowship. I feel really proud of myself.

鈥淪ixty-six creative students, artists, researchers and early-career professionals were selected from across the UK, and I believe I鈥檓 the only Pakistani in this group. It鈥檚 a very big thing for me to be representing not just my country but also 海角直播.

鈥淚 can鈥檛 wait to be part of it and experience the whole exhibition. I鈥檓 going to meet locals, fellows and professionals from all over the world as lots of countries have pavilions at the biennale.

鈥淚t鈥檒l be my first time in Venice, so I鈥檓 most excited about seeing the floating city that I鈥檝e heard so much about. We鈥檙e going to leave with some incredible experience and amazing stories.鈥�

This will be the second exhibition of its kind that Faiza has been involved with, having taken part in the Lahore Biennale in Pakistan.

Caitlin, who is currently based in Manchester, works as a teaching assistant at a special educational needs school alongside her studies.

She added: 鈥淭he voices that the British Council has chosen as ambassadors this year feel extremely diverse and really relevant to curatorial strategies of current and future ages.

鈥淚鈥檓 really excited about heading to the Venice Biennale and proud of myself for getting there. I can't wait to meet the other fellows and see all the different countries鈥� pavilions.

鈥淚 think as long as you put in the work, which we really will, something like this can change the trajectory of your life and career. It鈥檚 a potentially life-changing opportunity when you make the most of it.鈥�

Delivered at Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, the MA Curating (with Advanced Practice) course places a focus on students gaining valuable industry experience alongside their academic studies.

Both Faiza and Caitlin are planning to pursue a PhD after graduating with their postgraduate degrees.

Professor Sarah Perks, from 海角直播鈥檚 School of Arts & Creative Industries, said: 鈥淎s a partner institution of the British Council, 海角直播 is proud to be represented at the internationally renowned Venice Biennale.

鈥淔aiza and Caitlin will have the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the event, collaborating with like-minded peers from across the world and building networks which will help them realise their curatorial ambitions.

鈥淲e wish them every success as they embark on this exciting journey.鈥�

The Venice Biennale will take place throughout the city between Saturday 20 April and Sunday 24 November.