We’ve just donned our crimson berets and sunglasses to attended the opening of the degree show over at City and Guilds. For the unfamiliar, City and Guilds is our own world beating arts school in Kennington Park Road, and twice a year they fling open their beautiful Georgian doors to allow us a glimpse into what their students get up to. And you can buy what you see, but buying is by no means obligatory. 

The BA show is a celebration of the work of current students as well as current work from fellows of the institution. It tends to be more circumscribed than the huge and quite zany foundation show in the spring and concentrates its efforts not only on painting, but fascinating shows of woodwork, restoration, stonework, and carving. We find the work of restorers upstairs  in the main building to be particularly interesting. Themes often dominate these shows, and this year they appear to focus on, in no particular order 1. Boobs 2. Dirt  3. Rotating shopping bags 4. Serious men with non serious eyewear.

Along with the exhibits there are handy notes offering a bio of the artists and their approach to their craft. And if you don’t like what you’re looking at keep it to yourself, as the artist might be nearby – but very handy if you want to ask them anything. And if you have no idea what you’re looking at but want to look as if you do, take a long dramatic breath, look at your friend, and say ‘It’s about IDENTITY’. Then throw down that crimson beret  and march out of the room.  

The City and Guilds degree Show 2026 is on now and open tonight (Friday) until 19:00. And the following days –

Saturday 20 June | 13:00 – 17:00
Sunday 21 June | 10:00 – 17:00
Monday 22 June | 11:00 – 18:00

Tuesday 23 June | 11:00 – 18:00
Wednesday 24 June | 11:00 – 18:00
Thursday 25 June | 11:00 – 18:00
Friday 26 June  | 11:00-20:00