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Art bursary award for deserving Derby College Group student

Art and Design student Shameela Mirza has been named as the winner of an esteemed bursary worth £400 for her incredibly thought-provoking art project that she has worked so hard on throughout the year. 

Incredibly thought-provoking and imaginative pieces of art, depicting the contrast between Pakistan and Britain, has earned a Derby College Group (DCG) Art & Design student a £400 bursary from Arts Society Derby. 

Members of Arts Society Derby judged entries from four students at the Joseph Wright post-16 Academic and Arts College after they were shortlisted for the annual Bryan Harris Bursary award – named after the Society’s founder and former chairman who died nine years ago. 

The winner was student Shameela Mirza who chose an engaging theme for her final project.

Shameela's work, portraits of people ordering street food.

Shameela from Derby, is studying on the UAL Extended Diploma in Art and Design at the JWC, and is progressing to De Montfort University to study BA Illustration with Graphic Design in September.

Her work was inspired by a visit to Pakistan, where she was surprised by the contrasts between her life in Britain, and the way of life in Pakistan.

Her work explores these contrasts in culture, transport, food, housing and other matters. She has done extensive research using photography, drawing and painting to make work that considers the differences in street food in particular. 

Group of art judges and art & design students stood in front of a screen.

Vikki Fitt, Young Arts representative at Arts Society Derby, said: “We have awarded a bursary every year for over 20 years to Derby College students to support them in their University studies.

“The standard was again incredibly high this year and we particularly loved the message and attention to detail, and how Shameela has captured such an observational nature, which has made the piece incredibly perceptive and thought provoking.”

Tracey Ramsdale, Teacher of Art and Design added “All four contributions of the bursary were outstanding but Shameela’s unique and detailed artwork was singled out for the award. Well done Shameela!

“I am always incredibly proud of all the students who put so much hard work into their pieces, and it was lovely that at our Digital and Creative Exhibition they got the opportunity to show them off to friends, family and the public.”

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