MMU Degree Shows 2025

Oof it's hot in Manchester this week! I'm here with some cooling white tones, floaty linen and dappled sunshine images from this year's Manchester Metropolitan University & Manchester School of Art degree shows. Different to last year's overall bolder, high contrast work some of 2025's collection appear like a minimalist idyll with larger scale flowing organic shapes, pithy calming philosophical notes, relaxed colours and lots of white. It would be interesting to know the motivations behind it, a response to over digitialisation or AI? I'm loving the dose of serenity in these pieces. Hope to follow up with some of the more colourful work shortly. 

MMU DEGREE SHOWS 2025 | EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

clockwise from the top left: 

erin norcross 'once upon a never' ba hons fine art, 

unfortunately i didn't catch the name of this artist - what's tricky to see on the photo but great in person is the white vinyl messages camoflaged on the white walls,  

ruby butler's the space inbetween poetry see more on instagram here, 

esme ballard's 'light through trees' fba hons fine art and art history,  

amy bradnock's fluid clay knots ba hons fine art - more on instagram, 

lucy evans ba hons fine art glass work seen here and on instagram, 

#mmu #degreeshows #manchesterschoolofart #manchester #manchestermetropolitanuniversity #2025 #bloom

Progressive Greetings Live 2025

I'm here with news on Wednesday's visit to this year's Progressive Greetings Live show 2025 at the Business Design Centre in Islington. It's been a short break for me in the shows lately (last PG here) so it was fabulous to catch up with everyone at this well loved June show. 

Hugely exciting to see the popular new Cobalt Extreme designs including a super new set launched at this PG hot off the press on the Cinnamon Aitch walls. I'm eagerly awaiting samples of the latest action packed designs so I can share photos soon. New sneak peek too of the Pinstripe range soon to be available with Clare Maddicott, the gorgeous lilac foil details look beautiful and hopefully I'll have samples to share in the coming weeks. 

My bags were absolutely stuffed and I returned to Manchester with packs of gorgeous new paper, foil & envelope samples! Thank you Fedrigoni, Abbot Print, Enveco, Graphite Creative to name a few.
Lot's to go on!

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS LIVE 2025 | EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

 

above clockwise from the top left: the popular new cobalt extreme collection, a view of the show at the business design centre islington, lovely mum design from the brand new pinstripe collection with clare maddicott abacus cards,  the latest designs in the cobalt extreme collection released at the show - cyclist - martial arts - kite surfer - runner - swimmer - sailor - badminton player - formula one, the laura ashley promo from ohh deer, a snap of me with the new cobalt extreme designs, 

#pglive #pglive25 #2025 #progressivegreetingslive #pglivelondon #cinnamonaitch #cobaltextreme #emilyhauckcreative #emilyhauck #pinstripe #claremaddicott

David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not Smaller & Further Away)

The schedule this January has been a little too packed to allow me time for my usual trip to Top Drawer this week. However I did happily pop out to see the David Hockney exhibition 'Bigger & Closer (not Smaller & Further Away)' that has come to Manchester's Factory International. 

Some of the new style immersive shows have come under criticism for offering a pastiche of the original art. With this however Hockney himself narrates the work and walks you through his thought processes whilst explaining some aspects of art theory in a compelling way. Having been lucky to view his work in person over the years (Salts Mill visit) I appreciated the story telling and being reminded of some of my own early art. Just as interesting as the work itself was watching the audience responses to it. The timing of the viewing on a very cold, icy and dark January week is something to note - views of lush scenery, warm sunshine and lux swimming pools can be refreshing for the soul, it seems others would agree with tickets selling out.

DAVID HOCKNEY: BIGGER & CLOSER | EMILY HAUCK KARIKA NOVA

 

clockwise from the top left: sunshine from one of his later works on the ipad, a view of the most famous painting 'the splash' sold in 2020 for $29.8 million, hockney himself, view of the immersive experience audience, one of my faves 'pearblossom highway' made from multiple photographs, 'may blossom on the open road', finally an immersive interpretation of the pool series.