Fine Art graduate sells student work to boutique hotel in Bath
14 August 2025
Ava Graham-Ryder graduated with a Fine Art BA(Hons) from Falmouth this summer and has already sold three of the five artworks she created as part of her final project. Displayed in late spring as part of Falmouth’s Degree Shows, the paintings caught the attention of a client who has now bought Ava’s art to display.
We caught up with Ava to learn more about the thought process behind her art, how Falmouth provided the ideal backdrop for creative inspiration and how it feels to have her work on display in one of Bath’s five-star Kaleidoscope Hotels.
How did you find your time studying Fine Art BA(Hons) at Falmouth?
Living and working in a coastal town was ideal for my creative process; I was surrounded by the lively and creative community and the dramatic Cornish light that is renowned for painters. Cornwall has a sub-tropical climate that brings gorgeous plants and temperamental, stormy yet hot weather, which I found equally inspiring for my art. My creativity also benefited from the fact that my studio was just a five-minute walk from both the beach and gardens.
Studying in Falmouth made me realise the importance of critical thinking. Honestly, at first, I was sceptical about the course, but I soon realised their focus was on critical thinking, group critiques and process over outcome. These focuses really helped me shape myself as an artist and gave me useful tools moving forwards – I hope to stay in contact with my tutors and peers at Falmouth.
Can you tell us more about the art you displayed as part of the Degree Show?
The art I displayed was a triptych of three large paintings of trees on a midnight navy wall, with two smaller paintings of a similar style on the wall to the left.
Rooted in abstract expressionist ideals, these works contain a variety of materials such as sand, mud, ink, charcoal and found objects. It focuses on formal painterly concerns: gesture, colour, tone, temperature.
The imagery is not the focus; I was inspired by the trees that flickered past my window on the train home at five o’clock. I wanted to capture the violet colour of the evening sky; this is a colour that translates throughout the triptych and is one that I am still drawn to using now.
Three of the pieces displayed have now found a home with your first buyer! Can you tell us more about how your works made their way to a five-star hotel?
Not long after the Degree Show I received an email from the owner of Kaleidoscope Hotels. He and his wife had viewed my work at the show and were interested in buying the triptych from me; they asked me for a fair price which I later provided. They purchased all three paintings which I recently hand delivered to Dukes Hotel in Bath. I was met with a warm welcome and a brief tour of where they might display the work. I’m very happy to see my artwork in a luxury hotel where it will receive great exposure and be a part of the beautiful décor already there.
What do you hope to do next following graduation?
I hope to further my connections in Falmouth with the local art galleries and communities whilst also making and selling my artwork. Looking further into the future, I’m looking into some different artist residencies and the MA Fine Art course at Falmouth.
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