In the lead up to our 2025 Graduate Shows, we’re celebrating the creativity and talent of our graduating students by sharing their stories and showcasing their incredible work. We spoke with Fine Art Painting BA(Hons) student Ellie Sargant about the course, their influences and advice to their younger self.

Please tell us a bit about your work and your influences

My paintings explore erasure, obscurity, and completeness. Through a process of submerging and revealing I explore the relationship between the self and the act of painting – the idea that paint has equality with the artist, the artist controls the material, but the material also controls the artist.

I am entranced by the unpredictable ways paint interacts to create a unique surface, but at the same time frustrated when it misbehaves and drips on an unintended area. What do I keep? What do I destroy? Conventions are comforting, yet there is a thrill in breaking them. What happens if I add wax, powders, sand, and glue to my paint? I see cars and ask, can I use lacquer, industrial solvents, and paint remover as well? Screwdrivers, scissors, trowels, scrapers, and saws scratch into my paintings. These tools are an extension to my body yet serve to distance my touch.

The process of making the painting almost overcomes the image, the sensory remnants resulting from the physical process of painting them. My Paintings taste lived in. How much of myself can I give to a painting before it loses authenticity? How confident can I be before it becomes artificial? Paint becomes a tool for defining something that is too arbitrary to name. Is painting really analogous to being?

What made you choose your course?

I got into Brighton University through clearing. I had just quit my job and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. My mum suggested going back to university, so I applied very last minute, got in and started at Brighton 2 weeks later. I had previously dropped out of university when I was 18, but starting Fine Art Painting at Brighton just felt right. It has really changed my life for the better!

Can you tell us about your favourite part of your studies and how it helped the development of you and your practice.

My favourite part of my course has been the freedom and independence to paint what I want in the studio. The studio spaces at Brighton are fantastic, and my course facilitates such a brilliant art community, so the studio spaces are always so inspiring, where I am able to bounce off my fellow students.

Can you tell us about any staff who particularly inspired you?

I have massive respect for all the painting tutors and look up to them all as artists. Without their support and guidance over the last few years, I would definitely not be the artist I am today. Likewise, James, the painting technician has been amazing in helping me with any whacky ideas I have had and has been such an incredible person in expanding my knowledge about painting and materials.

Can you tell us your plans after graduation?

My plans after graduation are to paint! I want to get a painting studio with other students on my course, and hopefully be in lots of exhibitions and be a professional practicing artist.

Finally if you could give your 17 year old self any advice about going to university what would it be?

I would tell 17-year-old me that you don’t need to just go to university because all your friends are going. Trust me everything will all work out for the best. You’ll go to uni the 2nd time around, and this time you will feel comfortable in yourself and it’ll be one of the best experiences of your life. It will change everything, give you hope for a future career and make you fall in love with art all over again.

If you’d like to see more of Ellie’s work, you can via Instagram @elliesargantart.

Find out more about our 2025 Summer Shows where large parts of the university turn into a huge free exhibition space.