Celebrating Contemporary Women of Morley

To commemorate Women’s History Month, º£½ÇÉçÇø London is proud to celebrate the theme of Contemporary Women here at Morley. 

This month we will be shining a light on those female individuals who shape our college. From our female curators leading epic exhibitions at Morley Gallery to our staff teaching unique courses at Morley, woman are integral to Morley’s legacy – the college was founded by a women, Emma Cons.ÌýÌý

This month we will feature an exhibition ‘Through the looking glass’ curated by one of our Lecturer’s here at Morley, on the subject of Glassmaking. Morley Radio also releasing new episodes for Women’s History Month for the Morley Mosaic’s podcast series as well as the Max Reindhart Show. Morley Gallery will also be hosting the ‘Fold Art Collective’ and ‘Impressions’ exhibitions which have significant female influence.  

Join us this month to celebrate their achievements, hard work and dedication. Come along to our exhibitions, hop online and listen in to Morley radio’s new podcasts related to this theme or browse our social media platforms to see what wonderful women at Morley have achieved in the present day.  

Staff Profiles

Vesna Pesic, Senior Lecturer – Course Leader, HE Millinery Course

What do you do currently at Morley? 

As the Course Leader for HE Millinery courses at º£½ÇÉçÇø London, I oversee our Higher Education Millinery programmes, nurturing the next generation of innovative hat designers. Alongside HE courses, I also lead the BTEC Certificate in Art and Design Skills (Millinery) Level 2 Pearson and the BTEC Introductory Certificate in Art and Design (Millinery) Level 1 Pearson. 

In addition to these accredited programs, I run a variety of short millinery courses, including Millinery: Hollywood Hats, Millinery: Fabric Hats on Buckram Base, as well as other term-based and weekend courses.  

Key Achievements in Your Career? 

One of my most significant career milestones was being recognised as a Master Artisan by the Michelangelo Foundation for Creativity and Craftsmanship—an international honour celebrating excellence in craftsmanship. I am also a founding member of The British Hat Guild, a network dedicated to preserving and advancing the art of millinery. 

My students have won 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prizes, as well as awards for innovative use of felt and commercial design at the Feltmakers Design Awards—a prestigious international competition tailored for aspiring milliners. Their work has also been exhibited at Hat Works, supported by Culture Trust Luton. 

Proudest Achievement at Morley? 

Being awarded the Advance HE Fellowship has been a defining moment in my teaching career. This recognition underscores my dedication to higher education and my commitment to fostering an engaging, inclusive, and impactful learning experience. The process of reflection and professional growth through this fellowship has been immensely rewarding. 

Romina Bideh, Media Technician at Morley

My name is Romina Bideh, and I am a Media Technician at Morley. I support students with 3D printing, setting up scenes for media and photography projects, and ensuring they have access to the necessary equipment for their creative work. 

What do you currently do at Morley? 
As a Media Technician, I stay up to date with new technology to ensure that students have access to the latest tools and techniques. I am responsible for maintaining and organizing equipment in a safe environment, making sure that students use it correctly. Key Achievements in Your Career, Specifically at Morley 
I first joined Morley as a student, studying Creative Digital Media, which was an incredible experience. I had the privilege of learning from the best tutors, especially Philipp Close, who made a lasting impact on my education.  

Proudest Achievement at Morley? 
One of my proudest achievements at Morley is the sense of peace and belonging I have found here. The support from staff and students is truly impressive, and the community encourages personal and professional growth. 

I take great pride in helping students gain confidence in their creative abilities, guiding them through technical processes, and ensuring they have the best possible learning experience. Seeing students grow and thrive with the support I provide is incredibly rewarding. 

Li-Qi Saw – UAL Level 3 in Fashion, Textiles and Communication tutor 

What do you do currently at Morley?  
I am a senior lecturer and main tutor for Fashion in Level 3.  
 

Key achievements in your career, specifically at Morley?  
I enjoy inspiring the next generation of creatives interested in art and fashion design.  I have the ability to create a very vibrant learning environment, caring for students but also giving them aha! teaching moments, showing them how to see things from distinct angles, using textures, patterns and colours from art, nature and fashion to inspire students’ ideas. I am very proud of how my course prepares my students for university. 
Proudest thing you have achieved at Morley? 
I recently collaborated with Oxfam-King’s Road in which my students did a project called Trash to Fashion in which they continuously re-modelled the window displays at Oxfam over 4 weeks with Vivienne Westwood inspired pieces they had created and styled. The project went viral within the Oxfam community and they want to market it globally as well as do the project again next year. 

Olivia White, Part-time tutor in Belly Dance

My name is Olivia White, and I teach a part time evening course in Belly Dance 

What do you do/study currently at Morley?  

I currently teach one class a week but with a view to potentially becoming more involved there in teaching additional classes in the future, and also possibly joining other dance and music classes when my own availability lightens.  

Key achievements to date in your career/learning journey specifically at Morley? 

I have been teaching dance for more than 20 years, and in the past have successfully organised events, including cultural concerts and showcases in other parts of the country, alongside working as a performer.  

Proudest thing you have achieved at Morley?  

I think as my classes are still in development, my proudest achievement at Morley is simply the fact that I am working there and have visions to bring further development to my classes and create more opportunities and possibilities for students from the local community.  

Lynda Kinne, Head of School for Visual Arts 

My name is Lynda Kinne, and I am the Head of School for Visual Arts. My primary area of practice is fashion, but I have also worked in photography. I also do historical costuming as a hobby.  

What do you do currently at Morley? 

It’s a large role so it is hard to describe in only a few words. I work with the Programme Area Managers in Visual Arts to ensure the successful delivery of the 7 areas of provision and I work with the Centre Principal to support the aims of the college. At the moment, I am also covering the role of Programme Area Manager for Fashion, which includes accredited and non-accredited courses.  

Key achievements to date in your career, specifically at Morley?  

I introduced the annual Access to HE and BA (Hons) Fashion Design fashion show. This event is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the hard work and achievement of all accredited fashion students. Last year, we were able to take the show externally when we were invited to show in the Hintze Hall at the Natural History Museum’s October lates event 2023. It was an incredible night! 

I’ve been very lucky to progress from sessional tutor in 2013 all the way through to Head of School. This kind of progression is one of the wonderful things about working at Morley. During that time, I have been able to shape the accredited fashion provision, from Access to HE through a BA (Hons) in Fashion Design.  

Proudest thing you have achieved at Morley?  

Part of the BA (Hons) Fashion Design course I developed includes an exploration of emerging materials processes. We have established a materials lab where students can learn to create samples of eco-friendly materials for fashion such as bioplastic, skoby leather, and mycelium. This is unusual if not unique at BA level and is a real asset to prepare students for the future of fashion. We have also programmed a non-accredited course, Biomaterials for Fashion, for the summer term to allow more students to work in the lab.  

Fenella Juanita Barker, Flamenco, Spanish Dance & Ballet Tutor 

What do you do at Morley?  

I’ve been teaching flamenco and Spanish dance at Morley for 28 years (since 1997) and  now also teach ballet and Silver Swans ballet (I taught ballet at Morley for 3 years in the early 2000s and have currently been teaching ballet here since 2022). 

What are your key achievements at Morley?  

My key achievements to date at Morley are many and varied – 28 years is a long time! I think the ones that stand out the most are (with the help and support of my wonderful line manager, Tim Taylor). Some of them are, growing the Flamenco and Spanish Dance provision from one class a week to 4 classes a week ranging from beginners to advanced, initiating a series of specialist Flamenco and Spanish dance workshops, the creation of Morley’s advanced flamenco & Spanish dance performance group and course, Morley Flamenco Dance Ensemble, creating and project managing  (with Tim Taylor) the annual Flamenco & Latin Cabarets at Morley (running for over 10 years now),starting the first Silver Swans Ballet class at Morley.  

What are your most proud of?  

The proudest things I’ve ever achieved at Morley are also many and varied but maybe at the top of the list are taking Morley Flamenco Dance Ensemble to perform in Jerez, Spain (the home of Flamenco) at FAMA Flamenca 2023 & 202. Also, the friendships that have developed between my students and the way that they look out for, and care about each other. 

What’s on?

Why Telling Women’s stories is more important than ever

Photographer, author and musician Ali Smith will take you on a personal journey guided by her work. At a time when Google has removed Women’s History Month from its calendar, women’s stories are increasingly in danger of being silenced as the ways in which we tell stories move further away from the oral tradition. Ali will make a clear case for why those stories must continue to be heard, and suggest ways in which we can all make sure that happens. 

Penny Lecture: Artistic Journeys Through Glass

Join us for a fascinating Penny Lecture which contrasts two distinct approaches to glass art – the sculptural and the architectural. Maria Zulueta is a glass artist and educator specialising in exploring the tension between nature and the man-made world. Natasha Redina is an architectural stained glass artist who combines traditional techniques with contemporary design, exploring the intersection of light, space, and human well-being. For this lively and informative Penny Lecture,  they will recount their artistic journeys, share creative processes and compare techniques. Their discussion takes place at Morley Gallery inside the artists’ show. Maria and Natasha will share their joy of glass design and explore the role uncertainty and discovery play in their glass-making practices in the pursuit of innovation. 

Find out more here!

Exhibition: The Fold Art Collective  

26th – 29th March, Morley Gallery

The Fold Art Collective is a group of 12 women artists founded in January 2022 as a focus for under-represented voices, and to address the challenges for women artists over 40. This exhibition showcases painting, sculpture, film and photography. º£½ÇÉçÇø London was pivotal to the foundation of this group: almost all the artists in the Collective are ex-students of Morley. Studying on courses such as Fine Art Mentoring, Foundation in Fine Art, Advanced Painting and an assortment of other adult education short course over years.