A group of former students from the Norwich School Of Art And Design has got together to put on its first show as a collective. Visitors to the Elements exhibition at St Margaret's Church in St Benedict's Street, Norwich, will be able to see a variety of works from photographs and textiles to sculpture and prints. Carla Thomas, David Tudge, Fritha Ewing and Kieta Jackson have put together a collection which focuses on nature. Collection of work Visual studies graduate Carla Thomas will reveal her latest portfolio of photographs of landscapes in Australia and New Zealand. David Tudge's woven 3D textiles have been influenced by scenes closer to home. David, who moved to Norwich from Stockport, has named Surlingham's rivers as one of the inspirations for his pieces which reflect the movement of water.  | | A sculpture by Kieta Jackson |
Water is also a focus of Kieta Jackson's sculptures with her interest in the sea and fishing influenced by her childhood in south-west England. Kieta has produced sculptures inspired by lobster pots, fish nets and traps which explore feelings of confinement as well as the ocean's corrosive nature. Fritha Ewing, who is originally from Bungay, will unveil lino and screen prints which explore man's impact on nature from cutting through fields to planting rows of corn and forests. In her prints she has aimed to reflect the ways in which nature has been tamed and ordered. Thriving arts scene The artists, who graduated from the school in 1999 and 2000, have all since settled in the city, encouraged by its thriving arts scene. "We all had a great time at college and we all really like the city," said David, who now works at the NSAD as a textiles technician. "The art school excited us and there are a lot of smaller galleries where individuals and small groups can display their work. There are also funding opportunities here in the county," he added. The exhibition at St Margaret's is the first time the artists have displayed their work together, but they hope to involve a range of contributors including painters and graphic artists for future shows. "We were all friends at art school and we've kept a connection since then," said David. "The idea is to help one another in getting shows and network. As a group we're all bringing people into the one show. We're hoping to set up other exhibitions and show a variety of contrasting but complementary works," he added. - Galleries which have exhibition space can e-mail david.tudge1@ntlworld.com
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Elements takes place at St Margaret's Church from 5 to 9 April 2005 from 9.30am until 5.30pm. Admission is free. | 
