A STUDENT from Old Kilpatrick has sold two pieces of her contemporary art to her university’s museum after being forced to produce them in her bedroom due to lockdown.

Alex McConnell, 21, has studied at Dundee University for three years after completing an HNC in art at Anniesland college.

After the university closed its doors in March, students had to complete their studies via online learning and produce their work from home – so Alex made her bedroom into a makeshift studio.

The keen student said: “I’d produced art which focused on infectious disease in college and in other modules for uni.

“The hardest part has been the online learning, so I feel quite lucky that I could make my artwork fit with coronavirus.

“I wasn’t too stuck for resources as I had chosen wool and easy to access material, unlike other students who had planned to use wood and metal.

“At first, I was working from my flat in Dundee, but when all my flatmates left to go home, I came home too, as my mum is very creative and it helps to be around her.”

Alex’s final work consisted of a coronavirus-themed hat and mask, made of wool.

Though the pandemic forced the cancellation of the university’s annual degree show, students were asked to submit photographs of their work to be displayed online, where anyone could view and buy the pieces.

Alex’s topical theme saw her hat and mask bought by Dundee University’s own museum, while she also sold an additional hat to a private buyer.

The lockdown also saw Alex – who praised her parents, Fiona and Brian, for allowing her the freedom to be creative while growing up – receive her degree certificate by post after her graduation ceremony was called off.

And she is continuing to produce and sell art from her bedroom, and hopes to study a masters in art, science and visual thinking, again at Dundee University, next year.

To view her hat and mask, as well as the other entries, visit dundee.ac.uk, search for ‘degree show 2020’, and click on the top search result.