Finding a voice through art

Since studying her art foundation course at University of Gloucestershire, Mina Stefanovic has gone on to see her work exhibited at galleries including the Tate Modern and Wellcome Gallery in London.

And for her, the course was a ‘logical next step’. “I had heard many wonderful things about it,” she said, “and I remember being excited to start.”

Mina chose the course as it was a chance to develop her portfolio, and decide what she wanted to do in the future. After completing art foundation at the University, she studied BA Fine Art at Central St Martin’s in London, and then an MA at the Royal College of Art, with her time in Cheltenham inspiring her to further her artistic journey.

“It was the creative setting I enjoyed a lot. A lot of different departments I could work and collaborate with, from wonderfully equipped photography department to illustration. I loved meeting many different creative people and having amazing big and bright studios.”

Mina’s first large scale solo exhibition – the Art of Lines – took place at The Wilson Gallery in Cheltenham in early autumn this year, incorporates key themes which run through her work, space mapping, movement, mark making, and the ways in which they work together.

The exhibition featured a wide range of evens and workshops, and including pieces from her artist in residency with University of Gloucestershire and Strike a Light in collaboration with dancers and performers.

And for Mina, her experience with University of Gloucestershire formed the foundation of my future education.

“It gave me a opportunity to find what I want to do and it gave a possibility to express myself,” she said.

“In the world full of restrictions and rules, art gives you freedom. It gives you a voice. Open canvas to express yourself. And now looking back I can’t imagine my life without art and University of Gloucestershire was the start of that.”