Painting a picture
How a twist on tradition created an exciting opportunity for students
As you walk through the corridors of the Hazlerigg Building, there are several portraits that adorn the walls. They are a record of the influential individuals that have led the University to where it is today.
Commissioning a portrait of a Vice-Chancellor as they leave their post, has become a tradition within many universities across the world; commemorating the time they have spent at the institution and serving as recognition for the work they have done and impact they have had.
Loughborough’s current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Robert Allison, is stepping down from his post at end of the academic year, after nine years of guiding the University to its most favourable position. He too will have a portrait that will become a permanent feature on campus. In fact, it has already been painted. But, for the first time ever, it has been painted by a student.
Bringing life back to the studio
Professor Allison, or as he is affectionately known across campus, VC Bob, has always been well known for his strong relationship and high level of interaction with students on campus. He believes in giving Loughborough students access to all the opportunities they need to grow and progress. So, what better way to mark his retirement from the University, than an exciting opportunity for students to commission his final portrait.
Art students at the University were invited to take part in the competition, which would see the winning portrait feature permanently in a student area on campus.
There was no set brief for the task, meaning the students could choose any style or materials to create their portrait.
The Vice-Chancellor sat for the students across three sessions. The intention was to shortlist the entries after the first session, but the Vice-Chancellor was so impressed with the standard of work, that the decision was made to allow all students to progress through to the final sessions and complete their portraits.
“It was great to have a community feel back in the studio. For some of the first-year students this was the first time they’d had the opportunity to experience anything like this, so the whole process was just fab.”
Lorraine Young, Programme Leader for Fine Art
“It’s great that Loughborough’s creative students are being commissioned for the portrait. I’m looking forward to seeing all the different interpretations of the Vice-Chancellor.”
Ellen Skerratt, final year student
The legacy he will leave
Since joining Loughborough University in 2012 the Vice-Chancellor has had a phenomenal impact, both in terms of the University’s position and progress, and the relationship he has built with students.
Twitter @AndrewMorris203
Twitter @AndrewMorris203
As a Vice-Chancellor, the way he engages with our students has always been seen as unique.
Twitter @JoshuaaReid
Twitter @JoshuaaReid
In between meetings, he can often be seen speaking with students, whether he’s on foot or has jumped on the University bus.
When time allows, he delivers lectures to our students, going back to his geography roots to impart his knowledge.
He cares for their welfare. On several occasions when a student has unfortunately found themselves in hospital, he’s visited to check on them and pass on his well wishes.
During the pandemic, he was seen cycling around campus and Loughborough town centre, checking in on students who were isolating. He also supported the University’s COVID support teams with food and essential deliveries.
Twitter @kirstenn_green
Twitter @kirstenn_green
At Christmas, when the pandemic forced some students to stay on campus for Christmas, when they would have normally travelled home, the Vice-Chancellor was on campus every day. He hosted quizzes and events to keep students entertained and served up Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day.
“The Vice-Chancellor gives the University an inviting, friendly atmosphere. When I see him on campus he always smiles and waves.”
Charlotte Marler, first year student
“My all-time favourite memory of VC Bob was watching everyone’s stories of him biking up to the isolated households with Corona and throwing pizzas to cheer them up!”
India Steggall, third-year student
Picking a winner
At the end of the final session, the Vice-Chancellor had the difficult job of choosing a winner.
The portraits spanned a variety of styles, including abstract, colourful, hyper realism and photo realism.
The winner was selected as Harry Mayston, a first year student.
Giving his reason for selecting this portrait, the Vice-Chancellor commented:
"The portraits were very different, reflecting the style and talents of the individual artists. All were good and the best exceptionally so. The winner was Harry Mayston, one of our first year undergraduates. Harry has outstanding talent and I am confident will be able to become a professional portrait painter if he so chooses."
Harry was awarded £1,000 in prize money and his portrait will be displayed in a student area on campus.
"It was very exciting to be creating art as a group and taking part in the opportunity as a collective, as well as truly fascinating to see how all the portraits evolved over the weeks.
"When it was announced that my painting won, honestly the initial reaction was shock and amazement. There were so many incredible portraits on offer, so for my painting to have been enjoyed by Bob was incredible, and being able to have been a part of this opportunity was an honour."
All the portraits will be displayed in an exhibition, that will form part of the Vice-Chancellor’s leaving celebrations later in the year.
The students taking part in the challenge included:
India Steggall, Shiv Chandrasekhar, Paulo Petrone, Miriam Pritchard, Penny Tetlow, Ishika Jain, Anastasiia Sterliagova, Grace Ard, Ellen Skerratt, Beth Holton, Harry Mayston, Georgia Basey, Nix Newton, Charlotte Marler, Maryam Oyinloye, Skye McKendrick, Buksi Osundina, Marta Kolecka, Suzie Gray, Sophia Chapman.
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All the students were asked to progress through to the final stage of the competition so that they could all complete their portraits.
All the students were asked to progress through to the final stage of the competition so that they could all complete their portraits.
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