Taylor Donoghue with her intriguingly-inspired artwork.

A creative practice student at EIT, Taylor Donoghue uses ink splatters as the starting point for drawings that featured recently in a level 6 degree students’ exhibition at Ideaschool.

About 20 students took part in the four-day Prelude exhibition.  As well as showing their current work, they also collaborated in organising and running the event, developing team work and hands-on skills while gaining oversight into what is involved in staging an exhibition.  

That included creating a poster and a mini-booklet featuring students’ works to promote the exhibition, producing a video for inviting guests and producing the programme. 

Taylor was among those charged with organising the catering for the exhibition opening. 

“We decided what food we would have and ensured it looked nice when it was sent out to the guests.”

The 22-year-old is loving Ideaschool.  Her current study is based on research into the Rorschach inkblot, which is used in psychological testing.  She is also inspired by artists such as Welsh illustrator Ralph Steadman, celebrated for his political and social caricatures, cartoons and picture books.  

“I start with a splatter of ink and try to see what I see and what works in the drawing as well,” Taylor says of her art.  “And whatever comes out comes out. 

“At Ideaschool you get so much support with thinking outside of the box.  The lecturers help you jump out of any situation you are stuck in.”

The mother of five-year-old daughter Indy, Taylor moved to Ideaschool from the Teen Parent Unit at William Colenso College.  Starting at level 4, she has progressed to the Bachelor of Creative Practice. 

“I wouldn’t be studying at EIT if it weren’t for them,” she says of the school, which provides a second chance for teenage parents who want to further their education.

Once she completes her degree, Taylor would like to sell her own work and to illustrate children’s books.  She has been told by a lecturer that she should develop three styles if she wants to make that her career.