Finding inspiration from anxiety: student’s sculpture takes centre stage at Masters Show 2026

More than 80 postgraduate students will share their work with the world as part of the annual showcase, marking the culmination of a year of intensive research and skills-based practice at the University of Dundee. 

The show will feature work in a variety of mediums, including animation, drawing, sculpture and design, produced by artists from around the world.

Among this year’s cohort of exhibitors is Nayoung Lee, an MFA Fine Art student from Seoul, South Korea, who has utilised a variety of materials in her sculpture, including a mixture formed from clay and recycled cardboard. Nayoung is open about her experience of anxiety, which has become an important part of her Masters Show project.

“I have always been someone who experiences a lot of anxiety and worry,” she said.

“However, I found that the more I tried to find reasons for these emotions or tried to get rid of them, the stronger they became. Instead of trying to resolve or eliminate these feelings, I became interested in simply noticing and observing how they emerge, transform, and change. 

“Leaving behind a familiar environment and living within a new culture allowed me to understand more clearly how our surroundings and relationships shape the way we think and feel.”

Before coming to Dundee, Nayoung studied ceramic design in South Korea, primarily working with clay. Keen to develop her abilities, she came to Dundee to benefit from DJCAD’s workshop spaces and to be introduced to working with new materials. This approach has proven transformative to her sculpture, with Nayoung now combining clay with paper pulp repurposed from discarded cardboard to produce her final Masters Show exhibit. 

Nayoung’s sculpture follows an individual’s journey through the phases of their life, with each day represented by a single, intricately crafted ceramic disc. From creating the mixture to initial sculpting and construction, each exhibit takes around a month to complete.

“Through my work, I hope visitors can take a moment to pause and observe their own thoughts and emotions,” she adds. “Rather than delivering a single answer or a specific message, I hope my work can become a space where people reflect on their own experiences and quietly observe their inner selves.”

Professor Jeff Blackford, Faculty Vice-Principal (Arts and Social Sciences), said, “The Masters Show is a celebration of the creativity and dedication of our postgraduate students.

“Their work is the result of many hours of hard work, research and fine-tuning. To see the results is always inspirational.

“We look forward to welcoming the public to campus to share in their success and enjoy what promises to be an eclectic and exciting collection of exhibits.”

The Masters Show 2026 is open daily from Saturday 22 – Sunday 30 August, 10:00-16:00, with extended hours on Saturday 29 August, closing at 20:00.