Three students from Bath Spa University have been commissioned to produce a selection of artworks for the new five star Gainsborough Bath Spa Hotel in Bath.
Students Stefanie Clark (BA Fine Art), Agnese Matteini (MA Fine Art) and April George (BA Creative Arts) have been selected to produce artwork for the hotel’s restaurant, private dining room and reception room respectively.
The hotel, which is owned by YTL Hotels, commissioned New York-based Champalimaud Designs as their interior designer. Following a meeting between the University and Anthony Champalimaud, a competition was agreed to give Bath Spa students the chance to create artwork for the hotel.
The initial proposal included only one commission for the wall of the hotel’s restaurant and five students were shortlisted to present their work to a 10-person panel of the hotel’s stakeholders. The panel was so impressed with the professionalism and quality of the students’ work, they decided to commission three students to produce three works of art.
Commenting on being commissioned, Fine Art Masters student Agnese Matteini said: “I am thrilled to be undertaking the work for this commission. I am aware of the potential visibility offered by this prestigious location and grateful for this opportunity that may hopefully open up new possibilities for my professional future.”
Daniel Allen, Head of Art and International Activities at Bath Spa University’s School of Art and Design, added: “We are delighted and very proud of Stephanie, Agnese and April in their commissions. These competition winners are evidence of the standard of work being produced alongside the professional attitude of so many of our students at the Bath School of Art and Design.”
YTL Hotels sought artwork that gave a bold visual statement to the hotel’s most significant communal environments.
Theresa McDermott, CEO at European Connoisseurs Travel Ltd, who led on the commissioning, commented: “Without the initial support and encouragement from the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Christina Slade and Head of Enterprise and Local Partnerships Adam Powell, alongside Daniel Allen’s enthusiastic support and commitment this project could not have got off the ground.
“Having seen the quality of the artwork the students are producing at the Bath School of Art and Design I am so pleased it did.”
Bath School of Art and Design was founded more than 160 years ago and has a successful history and an international reputation for creativity and innovation. The School provides students with the opportunity to work with a wide range of internationally recognised art and design practitioners and thinkers.
