Beth's FMP celebrates happiness

Final year BA (Hons) Fine Art student, Bethany Givens, shares how her final major project reflects on the growth she has experienced in the last three years, and what makes her happy. We caught up with Beth to find out more about her work, and what she plans to do next:

Hi Beth, tell us about your final major project:

My final project is about celebrating happiness. It reflects on the growth I have experienced in the last three years, learning to understand myself and what makes me happy. To express this, I have created six tufted rugs, varying in size, all depicting items which make me happy.

What was the inspiration behind your project?

The concept for the rugs was inspired by my personal growth in the last three years and a yearning to celebrate this, as well as a frustration with the simplicity of happiness often being overlooked in society. The inspiration for the format and design of the project was surrealist self-portrait artists Frida Khalo, Lenora Carrington and Dorothea Tanning.

What have you enjoyed most about your time at Solent?

I have enjoyed the opportunities it has opened for me through networking and meeting like minded people.

What’s next for you? 

I hope to make a business out of my tufted rugs by doing commissions as well as making works to be displayed in galleries. I am also considering doing a master’s in art therapy in the next couple years.

What advice would you give to other students?

Make the most of it! Being so close to the end of my time at University, my biggest regret is not making the most out of the facilities available and capitalising off the knowledge/experience of my tutors and peers.

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