Animal chess. Yes, really.

An eclectic mix of light up dresses, hand carved art and a giant animal chess set are taking over part of Preston’s university.

Free to look around the work of art students at the University of Central Lancashire is set to delight visitors.

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On display is the work of 50-year-old interior design student Zoe Barker-Moss.

Her final project creates a timeline of items from a childhood memory box to a sewing kit to represent a person’s hobby.

All are designed by Zoe and then hand carved in the Ukraine, where she lived for 15 years, from oak and alder wood.

Zoe with her artwork

She said: “I’ve always had an interest in interior design so when I was given the opportunity to change careers I decided to return to University. I’ve managed to set up my own business over the last 12 months and now have a great relationship working with carpenters and carvers in the Ukraine to create this beautiful artwork.”

Another exhibitor, 43-year-old ceramics student Rob Parr, chose chess as the inspiration for his eye-catching final project.

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He said: “Chess has been played for hundreds of years across all cultures so it resonates with many people. I’ve made a giant chess set and given each piece animalist attributes, such as a gorilla for the king and gazelle for the pawn, as a twist on the traditional set up. I’m really pleased with the final result after the many hours it took to make.”

Rob and his very different chess set

MA Interior Design Course Leader Steve Bennett said: “Lots of the work on display is really tactile and draws people in so there is something for everyone at the exhibition. We’re also showcasing more work from international and mature students this year which has resulted in a very diverse mix. The art based MA courses are growing in popularity year on year and this exhibition really showcases the high standard of work the students’ produce.”

The free ‘My MA’ exhibition includes work from animation, ceramics, children’s book illustration, fashion, graphic design, interior design and surface pattern design degree courses.

More views from the exhibition

It is open Monday to Friday, 10am – 4pm, until Thursday 27 October in UCLan’s PR1 Gallery, Victoria Building.

Will you be visiting the exhibition? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below