Creative Industries

Meet the team

A warm welcome from the Creative Industries Higher Education team at University Centre South Devon.

Pav Szymanski

Main areas of teaching

Fine Art
Introduction to Contemporary Arts Practice
Developing Contemporary Arts Practice & FMP

Bio

I am an artist with interests in painting, printmaking and video. My current research project is based on creating visual responses to my observations of people, who are suspended in the vacuum of hypnotic repetition. I have travelled the world interviewing and recording individuals, who genuinely struggle with their existence in the context of their survival. I have gathered substantial primary sources and evidence from destinations across the globe.

Research and scholarly activity

https://hypnoticrepetition.com/

This piece questions the concept of waiting and entrapment in the vacuum of life. It portrays a Burmese captain. His monotonous and repetitive job is to operate a long boat ferry between Ranong in Thailand and Kawthaung in Mayanmar. He spends his days killing time, while chain smoking and occupying himself with his mobile phone. He is withdrawn, totally oblivious to the outstanding beauty of the area and people around him. To maximise space for the passengers, he hides himself under a colourful umbrella and crouches on the front of the deck. His continuous exposure to the aggressive and scorching sun has resulted in the development of a massive tumour on his exposed ankle. Despite this, he remains suspended in the hypnotic repetition of daily routines.

Through Pav’s projects he feels that he discovers his inner fears, longings and re-evaluate his uncertainties. His work seems to be an attempt to explore and question by metaphorical presentation his response to the hidden truths of the world. The essence of the value in these works is in their inherent meaning and an atmosphere, which manifests itself in the dusk of the space portrayed, thus the light may appear, where the hue of colour fulfils clarity and sounds with harmonious melody.

https://www.instagram.com/pavszymanski/?hl=en

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOq7lHQlrOnKozGz95Hq2CA?view_as=subscriber

Szymanski, P. (2022). Available at: https://www.contemporaryartcuratormagazine.com/power-of-creativity-art-prize/pav-szymanskihttps://www.contemporaryartcuratormagazine.com/power-of-creativity-art-prize/pav-szymanski (Accessed: 20 June 2022

Szymanski, P. (2022) Deepwestgallery.co.uk. Available at: https://www.deepwestgallery.co.uk/pavszymanski (Accessed: 20 June 2022).

Szymanski, P. (2022). Available at: https://www.madsgallery.art/item/d4b8152e-850d-4652-a760-a709fb7b2953/artist/pav-szymanski (Accessed: 20 June 2022).

Szymanski, P. (2022) Southdevon.ac.uk. Available at: https://www.southdevon.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Art-Foundry-Magazine.pdf (Accessed: 20 June 2022).

Szymanski, P. (2022) Interview with fine art painter Pav Szymanski – 123 ART, 123 ART. Available at: https://123art.net/index.php/2020/11/21/interview-with-fine-art-painter-pav-szymanski/ (Accessed: 20 June 2022).

Szymanski, P. (2022) Pav Szymanski — Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, Contemporary Art Curator Magazine. Available at: https://www.contemporaryartcuratormagazine.com/collectors-vision-international-art-award/pav-szymanski (Accessed: 20 June 2022).

Szymanski, P. (2022) Pav Szymanski — Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, Contemporary Art Curator Magazine. Available at: https://www.contemporaryartcuratormagazine.com/online-exhibition-river-of-dreams/pav-szymanski (Accessed: 20 June 2022).

Szymanski, P. (2022) Uncertainties of Tomorrow, Adobe Spark. Available at: https://spark.adobe.com/page/fQ9VytzHNpWq9/ (Accessed: 20 June 2022).

Bruce Chivers B Ed. Diploma of Teaching. Professional member of both the CPA and The Devon Guild of Craftsmen

Main areas of teaching

Art and Design module lead for contextual studies and negotiated research

Bio

I have been involved in teaching all my life. For the past 40 years I have been a practicing artist and potter and with selected work in national and international collections I continue to exhibit extensively.

Research and scholarly activity

My research in the field of ceramics has been documented in numerous books and magazine articles. I continue to present research showcases and lectures nationally and am now currently furthering my studies with and MA through the open university.