A Letter from China (apologies to Alistair Cooke)

Grillust™ operatives Dwayne Bell (33) and Tony Peart (33) are currently developing Sino-Cumbrian relations by leading a group of our design & art students out to the first summer school with our friends in Changshu!

You may have seen on the news that large swathes of eastern China were evacuated because of a typhoon. However, we can reveal it was really just in preparation for the arrival of the much-celebrated-in-modern-China, Cumbrian cultural deity, Tony 'Mr Tony' Peart!

The plucky intercontinental travellers arrive in the far east.
'Mr Tony' appears, back row, least hair between 6 and 5, skilfully operating his cardboard cutout of Dwayne left handed.

At the slap-up welcome feed, 'Mr Tony' presents Official Friend of Grillust, Dr. Shen, with a lovely Lucy Hadley print.

Another Official Friend of Grillust, Lily, with her print.

Changshu students who've studied with us in Cumbria turn out for 'Mr Tony'; others feinted in excitement at the airport

Out on the town and it's time for tea - dumplings, hmmmmmmm. All except for...

... Dwayne, who eschews all non-meat products or vitamins and kept looking for something to suit his discerning palate...

... well, that's Dwayne sorted!

In the meantime Yr2 Graphic Designer, Megan Brown, and Yr2 Illustrator, Rhian Wood, (both 21) hit the supermarket looking for a taste of home. Marmite, Yorkshire Tea (Bags), Baked Beans, Hula Hoops, tins of Heinz 'London Grill' and Brylcreem vie for trolley space with large amounts of alcohol.

Well, as you know, the official story is that 'Mr Tony' et al, blew into Shanghai on a tropical typhoon. And, if that sounds like the opener for a Stephen Sondheim musical you're in luck. UoC Dance Lecturer, Zoe Gadd (33), is documenting the visit and will be delivering her report through the medium of contemporary dance - an expressive 'Chicago-stepping' meets 'Cumbrian yokel jig' fusion extravaganza with a little bit of participative dance improvisation. Mambo moves indeed!

Weekend of loud

Avro Vulcan XH558

AC/DC

 

I-Pad Club!!

 

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More Studio Randoms

We've cunningly hidden 'Future' Dave Robert in this photograph. Can you find him?


Dwayne Bell, consumate song and dance man.


Too much visual stimulation can be a little disconcerting.

 Visiting lecturer Petra Blahova cycled up from Kendal to see us without the need for any EPO (as she was running on Kendal Mint Cake)...

 Pot of tea & biscuits 95p! Trevor Raven at his mighty organ! Who could resist?

??!! 

 It's always worth spending money on a style consultant.

Illustrators at play

As an end of year treat for illustrators, fashion illustrator Lucy MacLeod paid us a visit and ran a 2 day workshop with a small group of students. Lucy's background is in painting and her work focuses on texture, mark making and mixed media. She's work for the likes of Levi's and British Airways. The agenda of the workshop? Get messy and have some fun.

 

You Can't Forget How to Ride A Bike - Or Can You?

Exhibition Private View Night

We held our exhibition private view last Saturday night. The students put a lot of time and effort into organising a well attended, busy evening. It was a great night and here's the photographic proof:

Here's ex-student James Cope who now happily works as a designer for Benoy (in London). Happily his time in the soft South hasn't 'turned his head' fashion wise as evidenced by his choice of sensible wooly jumper for those chilly Northern evenings.

 There's always one (or two) who spoil it for everyone. Dirty girls!

The cube sculpture was a magnet for the most under fives (and many over sixties). 

 We even had flowers and everything.

 Mitch does his trademark Egon Schiele pose.

 Rhiannon making free with the Crudités and nibbles. Very tasty!

As the Lee Lund years draw to a close we can categorically state that this is the end of an era...

Oscar Hopefuls Fred & Chuck