24 February 2005

Urban Heads parade

Photo opportunity: 3.50pm, Friday 25 February, Matthew Gallery, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, University of Dundee, 13 Perth Road, Dundee

First year design students from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design will launch the University of Dundee's annual first-year art exhibition with a parade of headwear creations tomorrow.

Twenty design students will take part in the parade including Robyn Sutherland with her Mad Hatter hat made with playing cards and Arlene McKee with her range of 1950s inspired bathing hats made from plastic bottles, rubber-gloves and blow up armbands. Tom Drysadale will model his creation, a huge aluminium covered helmet made with over 20 feet of aluminium.

The parade is the culmination of the design students' latest project called 'Urban Heads' where the students were asked to experiment and create headwear pushing the range of materials they use to the limits. Their only restriction was that the piece must include at least one recyclable material.

The parade launches the annual first year exhibition, entitled 'Three on 5' where students from Fine Art and Television and Imaging will exhibit their work along with the design students' head pieces. Now a successful annual event, this year’s exhibition throws up fresh ideas to illustrate how artistic talent continues to be successfully developed through the first year programme.

Helen McCoig, design course leader said, "Urban Heads has been a hugely successful project that encouraged the first year design students to go wild with their imaginations and create unique pieces. The students have all risen to the challenge by creating a range of innovative and unique pieces."

The parade starts at 4.00pm on Friday 25 February in the Matthew Gallery and the public are welcome to attend.

This exhibition runs from 26 Feb - 9 March 2005 in the Matthew Gallery.

Opening hours, Matthew Gallery opening hours: Monday to Friday 9.30am - 5.00pm, Saturday 9.30am - 4.30pm.

By Angela Durcan, Press Officer 01382 344768, out of hours: 07968298585, a.durcan@dundee.ac.uk