Contemporary Art

What We Saw at Central Saint Martins' Degree Show

10 July 2026

Amelia Hacking

Every year, degree shows offer a glimpse into the ideas, materials and techniques shaping the future of contemporary art. While not every graduate will go on to become an established artist, these exhibitions reveal the conversations influencing the next generation of makers, many of which later find their way into galleries, museums and auction rooms.

Our MODERN MADE Sale Coordinators, Amelia and Francesca, recently visited the Central Saint Martins postgraduate degree show to explore the work on display. From tactile installations and found objects to intricate drawings and experimental materials, they share the themes that stood out and what they might tell us about the direction contemporary art is taking.

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Art You Can Experience

One of the most noticeable themes throughout the exhibition was a move away from art that is simply viewed and towards work that is experienced.

Several installations encouraged visitors to enter, walk through or physically interact with the artwork, creating an experience that relied as much on movement and atmosphere as visual impact. Rather than standing at a distance, audiences became participants, blurring the line between observer and artwork. This growing interest in immersive practice reflects a wider shift across contemporary art where installation, sound and sensory engagement continue to play an increasingly important role.

Materials Take Centre Stage

Material experimentation was everywhere. Artists combined traditional media with textiles, found objects, industrial materials and handcrafted elements to create works that rewarded close inspection. Rather than concealing how pieces were made, many celebrated construction, layering and process.

Mixed media has become one of the defining characteristics of contemporary practice, allowing artists to explore ideas through unexpected combinations of materials and techniques.

The Return of Drawing

Among the installations and sculptural works, carefully executed drawing remained one of the exhibition's strongest features.

Detailed graphite works demonstrated remarkable technical skill while feeling unmistakably contemporary. Rich textures, intricate mark-making and carefully considered presentation showed that drawing continues to evolve alongside newer artistic practices rather than being replaced by them. The exhibition served as a reminder that traditional mediums still offer enormous scope for innovation.

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"Our visit reinforced just how experimental contemporary practice continues to be - confidence in pushing materials, encouraging interaction and creating work that invites curiosity. Degree shows remain an invaluable opportunity to see new ideas at their earliest stage."

- Amelia Hacking, Fine Art Sale Co-ordinator

Found Objects, Reimagined

Found materials appeared throughout the exhibition in a variety of forms.

Discarded objects were transformed into sculptures, assemblages and installations that explored memory, identity and the relationships between everyday objects and the body. Rather than using familiar materials conventionally, artists challenged visitors to reconsider the significance of objects that might otherwise be overlooked. This continued interest in reuse and reinvention reflects wider conversations around sustainability, material culture and contemporary making.

Exploring the Body

References to the human body appeared repeatedly, although often in abstract and unexpected ways. Organic forms suggested skin, coral, bone and internal structures without depicting the body directly. Some works felt simultaneously familiar and unsettling, balancing beauty with discomfort to encourage closer observation. This interest in bodily forms continues a long tradition within contemporary art while pushing it into new conceptual territory.

Department

Contemporary Art

Our Team

Amelia Hacking

Sale Coordinator, Fine Art

Specialist

Francesca Christodoulou

Associate Design Specialist

Why We Visit Degree Shows

At Lyon & Turnbull, visiting degree shows forms part of our ongoing commitment to understanding contemporary practice and supporting conversations around emerging art and design.

While graduate exhibitions are not about predicting the next major artist, they provide valuable insight into the themes, materials and approaches shaping the future of contemporary art. Observing these developments helps inform our understanding of today's creative landscape and the wider conversations taking place across the art world.

As contemporary art continues to evolve, these exhibitions offer an inspiring snapshot of where that journey may lead next.