Churchill College’s history of art, architecture, and design takes centre stage in a new exhibition curated by two undergraduate students, Aaron Tan (studying English) and Davina Wang (studying Architecture). Titled A Walk Through College; A Journey Through Time, the exhibition opens with a launch event on Thursday 30 January, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, at the Bill Brown Creative Workshops (BBCW). The public is warmly invited to attend, with RSVPs requested via this form.
The exhibition traces the College’s evolution from its foundation in the 1960s to today, showcasing rarely seen architectural plans, archival materials, and artwork from the from the College’s art collection. Visitors will also discover connections between Churchill’s modernist architecture and its renowned art collection, including pieces by Robyn Denny, Patrick Caulfield, and Eduardo Paolozzi.
Bringing Churchill’s Legacy to Life
Motivated by a shared passion for Churchill’s unique aesthetic, Aaron and Davina created two complementary resources during the summer of 2024: a digital exhibition and a physical catalogue, both of which will launch alongside the exhibition. Their work was supported by the Churchill College Summer Opportunities Bursary and Undergraduate Opportunities Fund, which allowed them to dedicate their summer to research and design.
Davina, who took the lead on producing the physical catalogue, highlighted the importance of celebrating the College’s unique architectural features. “Churchill’s architecture is pioneering, with so many hidden jewels masked behind the surface of its Brutalist design,” she explained, continuing, “This project allowed us to celebrate these elements and bring them to life for a wider audience.” Aaron, who led on the digital exhibition, added, “By making this history more accessible, we aimed to imbue the College environment with a renewed sense of embedded artistic heritage.”
The exhibition will also provide visitors with a metaphorical walkthrough of the College’s aesthetic history, connecting its past, present, and future.
A Transformative Student Experience
The project offered both students the chance to develop new skills and explore their interests beyond their academic disciplines. Aaron designed an interactive website from scratch, blending his technical skills in coding and web design with original archival research. “This project has enriched my appreciation for art and architecture while pushing me beyond the boundaries of my English Literature studies,” he said.
For Davina, the project offered a unique chance to combine her architectural expertise with curation and design. ““This project broadened my perspective and taught me how to present and curate architectural ideas, skills that are invaluable for my professional development,” she said.
Both students credited the Summer Opportunities Bursary and Undergraduate Opportunities Fund for making the project possible. “The support we received was incredible,” said Aaron. “From the Archives Centre to the Bill Brown Creative Workshops, everyone was so generous and enthusiastic, which helped us turn our ambitious ideas into reality.”
Davina agreed, emphasizing the value of these opportunities. “Funding like this sets us apart, providing unique experiences that enrich our studies and future careers. It’s an invaluable platform for pursuing parallel interests.”
Exhibition Details
The launch event on Thursday 30 January is open to all. The exhibition will then run from Friday 31 January to Friday 28 February 2025 at the Bill Brown Creative Workshops.
- Public Viewing: Members of the public and non-inducted College members can book private viewings by emailing creative.workshops@chu.cam.ac.uk. Tours will be led by Barry Phipps, Churchill Fellow in History of Art, between 10 am and 4 pm, Monday to Friday, by appointment.
For more information about the exhibition or to arrange a private viewing, please email creative.workshops@chu.cam.ac.uk.
