Over the summer of 2024, two undergraduate students collaborated on a project to explore and celebrate Churchill College’s art, architecture, and design. Funded by the College’s unique Summer Opportunities Bursary and Undergraduate Opportunities Fund, the project aimed to bridge a knowledge gap and deepen appreciation for the College’s unique aesthetic history.
Aaron Tan (English) and Davina Wang (Architecture) were motivated by a shared observation: despite widespread curiosity among the student population about Churchill’s modern architecture and art collection, readily-accessible centralised information on these topics was lacking. They decided to tackle the issue by creating two complementary resources – a publicly-accessible, online digital exhibition and a physical catalogue – culminating in a curated exhibition in the Bill Brown Creative Workshops in the 2025 Lent term.
Aaron focused on building an interactive website from scratch, which allows users to traverse, learn about and draw connections between aspects of the college’s architecture, design, landscaping, and art collection. The digital exhibition spreads across and gathers together disparate material over Churchill’s aesthetic history, drawing upon original, primary-source research undertaken in the Churchill Archive Centre. Aaron wanted to transform the way students and residents engage with their surroundings; “By making this history more accessible, we aimed to imbue the College environment with a renewed sense of embedded artistic heritage.”
Davina took the lead on producing a physical catalogue, blending her architectural expertise with her passion for curation. The catalogue features detail entries on notable artworks within college, but also some hidden jewels of the college such as “London to Paris” by Eduardo Paolozzi. The catalogue also features architectural sketches from the College’s early design stages, and archival materials that tell the story of Churchill’s construction and artistic development. “Churchill’s architecture is pioneering, with so many hidden jewels masked behind the surface of its Brutalist design,” said Davina. “This project allowed us to celebrate these elements and bring them to life for a wider audience.”
Their collaboration extended beyond research and design to curation. Guided by their project supervisor, Churchill Fellow in History of Art and Director of the Bill Brown Creative Workshops (BBCW), Barry Phipps, they also worked closely with the Churchill Archives Centre, the Møller Institute, and the BBCW to share their research through a public exhibition. ‘A Walk Through College; a Journey Through Time’ will invite visitors to take a metaphorical walkthrough Churchill’s aesthetic history, connecting past, present, and future through the College’s art, architecture, and design. The exhibition will launch alongside Aaron’s website and Davina’s catalogue.
Exhibition info
The exhibition will open in the Bill Brown Creative Workshops with a special launch event on Thursday 30 January from 5.30-7.30pm. The launch event is open to all although attendees are kindly requested to RSVP using the following form: https://forms.office.com/e/Uq3B1qfU8q The exhibition will then run from Friday 30 January until Friday 28 February 2025. College members can view the exhibition during BBCW opening hours and members of the public and College members who have not yet completed a BBCW induction can email [email protected] to request a private viewing of the exhibition. Barry Phipps will show people around between 10-4, Mon-Fri, by appointment.
Summer project funding
The Summer Opportunities Bursary and Undergraduate Opportunities Fund played a vital role in enabling the project. The funding allowed Aaron and Davina to reside at Churchill over the summer, granting them full access to the College’s archival resources and the opportunity to immerse themselves in the environment they were studying. “The support we received was incredible,” Aaron noted. “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.”
For both students, the experience was transformative. Aaron sharpened his technical skills in coding and front-end web design, while also honing his abilities as an archival researcher and writer. “This project has enriched my appreciation for art and architecture while pushing me beyond the boundaries of my English Literature studies.”
Davina gained valuable experience in archival research, graphic design, and curation, which she believes will benefit her future career as an architect. “This project broadened my perspective and taught me how to present and curate architectural ideas, skills that are invaluable for my professional development.”
Both students have emphasised the importance of opportunities like the Summer Opportunities Bursary and Undergraduate Opportunities Fund in supporting Churchill students. “It’s crucial to have the chance to explore interests outside your degree,” Aaron said. “This emphasis on process over product empowers students to take risks and discover new passions.” Davina is also clear about the positive impact. “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.”
The upcoming exhibition promises to be a significant event, offering a fresh perspective on Churchill College’s rich aesthetic heritage. Through their dedication and creativity, Aaron and Davina are not only celebrating Churchill’s history but also inspiring others to see the College’s art and architecture in a new light.
