Delight for Southampton artists named in first exhibition

Southampton artists were chosen from hundreds for the new exhibition Promising artists from Southampton have spoken of their delight after their work was chosen from hundreds for a new exhibition in Hampshire. Sculptor Ren Wooldridge and painter Harrison Jones will showcase their artwork at the Aspex gallery in Portsmouth as part of a drive to highlight new upcoming talent. The exhibition, opening mid-October, is the first public display for the duo since graduating from Winchester School of Art , which is part of the University of Southampton. Ren Wooldridge , whose clay sculptures are moulded from her own body, said being selected for the exhibition was a tremendous source of motivation for her early career. She added: "Clay carries haptic memory and has an intimate connection with our daily life. I see my sculpture as an explorative vehicle in which to communicate emotions and thoughts, it embodies my experiences and psychological dynamics as a woman and mother." Winchester School of Art is one of the UK's oldest education establishments dating back to 1870 and today teaches the BA (Hons) Fine Art degree, from which both artists graduated this summer. Artist Harrison Jones began painting as a child to help express himself having experienced delayed mobility, speech and sound sensitivity, and was later diagnosed with autism.