Framing the future of photography: Showcasing UWE talent with custom picture frames

About UWE

The University of the West of England (UWE) Bristol is home to one of the UK’s most diverse photography courses. Its BA (Hons) Photography programme encourages students to develop their own creative voice through long-form, project-based work, combining critical thinking with technical skill.

Each year, final-year students present their work in two major public exhibitions – one in Bristol and one in London – marking a key step in their transition from students to practicing photographers. In 2025, the graduating class united under the collective name Yolk, showcasing their degree projects to both public and industry audiences.

The challenge

This year’s graduating cohort included around 80 students, who exhibited at the Arnolfini Gallery in Bristol as part of UWE’s annual Showcase. The week-long event featured hundreds of works, drawing thousands of visitors. Following this, 70 students presented a second show at the Copeland Gallery in London – an ambitious, student-led event that included portfolio reviews by industry experts and a pop-up shop where students could sell their artwork. With professional exposure on the line, presentation became a key priority.

Students needed high-quality, affordable picture frames to elevate their work in both exhibitions, with flexibility to suit individual formats and visual styles. Since students fund their own printing and framing, a cost-effective solution was essential. With dozens of orders – many involving multiple custom sizes – the team also needed a supplier who could handle complexity and tight deadlines with responsive support.

The solution 

Readymades has been supporting UWE’s photography students for over a decade, providing custom photo frames tailored to a wide range of styles and sizes. In 2025, around half the Yolk cohort chose Readymades to frame their work for the Bristol exhibition. For the London show, students again incorporated Readymade frames into their display, using funds raised collectively through their campaign.

A wide selection of contemporary mouldings and finishes allowed students to select frames that best complemented their artistic vision. Custom sizing meant every piece could be presented with clarity and precision, whether it was a single impactful image or part of a larger sequence. Orders were coordinated in bulk through the course team, streamlining logistics and ensuring timely delivery ahead of installation.

The results

In Bristol, the Arnolfini show featured close to 300 works, of which approximately 150 used Readymades photo frames to give a clean, polished finish. In London, roughly 50 framed pieces were displayed alongside large vinyl prints, creating a dynamic, salon-style group exhibition that encouraged new visual conversations between different projects.

This diversity was reflected not just in the exhibition formats, but in the work itself. UWE’s photography course is intentionally eclectic, encouraging students to explore their own visual language and storytelling approaches. From long-form narrative to abstracted mixed media, the breadth of creative output requires framing solutions that adapt without compromising quality or consistency. Readymades’ custom picture frames provided the adaptability and craftsmanship students needed to frame their work in a way that reflected their creative intent.

By offering a practical and affordable custom framing solution, Readymades played an integral role in helping Yolk present their degree projects to a professional standard, setting the stage for their next steps as emerging photographers.

“We’ve used Readymades for over 10 years. Their frames offer the ideal balance of quality, speed and affordability, providing a professional, cost-effective solution for our students. 

The build quality is excellent and the finish consistently strong. The contemporary mouldings look high-end, especially for the price. Compared to off-the-shelf frames, there’s no contest.”

– John House, Senior Lecturer in Photography at UWE

Planning an exhibition or showcase?

Our custom framing specialists will work with you to create a cohesive, gallery-style presentation that elevates every piece. Get in touch for more information.

Talk to our framing specialists