Home » UWTSD fine art lecturer showcases work at prestigious Athens exhibition
Education Entertainment Swansea West Wales

UWTSD fine art lecturer showcases work at prestigious Athens exhibition

FINE ART lecturer and accomplished visual artist Holly Slingsby is currently showcasing her work at the international exhibition ‘Cycloptics’ in Athens, Greece.

Hosted at Space 52, ‘Cycloptics’ is a collaborative initiative that unites artists from around the world who have been influenced by the work, guidance, and inspiration of the late Brian Catling RA, a celebrated multi-media artist and professor. Holly participated in the opening night’s performance programme and is exhibiting her video work, ‘An Enclosed Garden’, which will remain on display until November 22.

Set against the backdrop of Greece, the ancient home of the mythical Cyclops, ‘Cycloptics’ explores themes of visual instability and the philosophical nature of sight and perception. Curated by Jack Catling and Christina Mamakos, the exhibition probes the boundaries between the seen and unseen, presenting artistic works that span objects, videos, drawing, and painting, accompanied by a series of performance events.

Holly, who is based in Swansea, is a visual artist working across media, including performance, video, and painting. Her practice examines representations of women, belief systems, and the transcendental, drawing inspiration from Biblical imagery, mythologies, and contemporary culture. Her recent work often delves into the unspoken experiences of infertility, offering a poignant lens through which viewers can engage with her art.

Reflecting on her creative approach, Holly said: “My work seeks to intertwine the historical with the present, inviting viewers to explore layered iconographies and question how traditional narratives resonate in contemporary life.”

Holly’s artistic achievements are internationally recognised. A graduate of the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art, Oxford University, and the Slade School of Art, London, her work has been showcased in solo and group exhibitions across the UK and globally, including venues such as Chapter, Cardiff; Tate St Ives; Turner Contemporary, Margate; and the Freud Museum, London.

Caroline Thraves, Academic Director Art & Media at UWTSD’s Swansea College of Art said: “Holly’s amazing work in ‘Cycloptics’ underlines UWTSD’s commitment to fostering world-class talent and providing platforms for its academics and students to engage in global conversations through art.”

Author