More than 400 students to showcase art and design work at DJCAD’s Degree Show 2026

Hundreds of art and design students are preparing their work ahead of this year’s Degree Show at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design (DJCAD), part of the University of Dundee.

The artwork of 427 students will be displayed throughout the Matthew and Crawford buildings for family, friends and the public to view – transforming DJCAD into one of the largest free art venues in Scotland.

Taking place from 23 to 31 May, the Art & Design Undergraduate Degree Show 2026 features work from undergraduate students studying Animation, Architecture, Art & Philosophy, Digital Interaction Design, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interior & Environmental Design, Jewellery & Metal Design, Product Design, Textile Design, Urban Planning and Environmental Sustainability.

Amongst the artworks will be a set of clay, wax and metal spheres made by Fine Art student Mathew Tilbrook, which feature on this year’s marketing material for the show.

Mature student Mathew, 51, was inspired to follow in the footsteps of his partner Gail Neckel, who also studied Fine Art at DJCAD and graduated in 2023.

Having previously worked in the building industry, followed by a career as a teacher in Thailand, Mathew decided to tap into his creative side when he learned more about DJCAD through Gail’s experiences.

His work includes various sized spheres, up to 30cm in diameter and around 12 kilos in weight, including large bronze sculptures which took more than two months to create.

He said, “My work may be reminiscent of planets, moons and universal bodies but they are also direct representations of the materials themselves.

“I was trying to mess with the process and encourage mistakes, to push the material to do things it wouldn’t normally do and to push its limitations. 

“I wanted to build a certain randomness to reflect the idea of impermanence and express my feelings and thoughts around my lived experiences of life, death and chronic illness, while reflecting natural geometric forms.”

Mathew, who lives near Auchterarder, in Perth and Kinross, has suffered from Crohn’s and Colitis for many years.

While his condition is now under control, at its worst it would leave him bedbound for days, with unpredictable flare-ups coming on suddenly and with little warning. 

He said, “I had all the support I needed and more from the University.

“There was a great level of understanding from tutors and staff at Disability Services and there was flexibility within the course. I was able to work things around how I was feeling.”

Following Degree Show and Graduation in summer, Mathew and Gail plan to run art workshops together.

He added, “It’s been a fantastic experience, I loved it. The facilities and the people who run them are great, and I’ve loved being around like-minded people.

“I’m excited to see what everyone else is producing for Degree Show, everyone is extremely talented.”

DJCAD Degree Show 2026

The annual Degree Show is an opportunity for final year undergraduate students to exhibit their work, celebrate their time at the University and launch their creative careers.

Professor Jeff Blackford, Vice-Principal of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, said, “The Art & Design Undergraduate Degree Show is one of the University’s biggest events of the year.

“It’s an opportunity for our graduating DJCAD students to share their work and achievements with family, friends and members of the public, while connecting them with professional communities.

“We look forward to welcoming everyone to celebrate, meet and support our graduates as we launch their future careers at Degree Show 2026.”

The show will be open to the public from 10:00-16:00, on Saturday 23 to Sunday 31 May, with late openings until 20:00 on Thursday 28 May and Saturday 30 May.

For more information, see the Art & Design Undergraduate Degree Show 2026 webpage.