LORNA MARSH Tiny twisted human figures hanging from ceilings and on walls, voyeuristic videos and tastebud-tickling creations made from multi-coloured beads. They are just a snippet of the magical world that has been brought together at Norwich School of Art and Design for this year's MA Exhibitions.

LORNA MARSH

Tiny twisted human figures hanging from ceilings and on walls, voyeuristic videos and tastebud-tickling creations made from multi-coloured beads.

They are just a snippet of the magical world that has been brought together at Norwich School of Art and Design for this year's MA Exhibitions.

Visitors to the shows, which opened yesterday, are sure to move through the maze of rooms spellbound by the eclectic mix of work as minuscule exhibits, over-whelmed by their space, give way to oversized canvases and sculptures.

The exhibition is split into three parts – fine art, textile culture and animation, and sound design.

One thing they all have in common is the participating artists' intentions to challenge and inspire their audiences.

Fine art, the largest section involving 27 artists, includes a photographic exhibition of self-built sheds by Andy Cairns, Vanessa Clegg's alarmingly realistic nude portraits and ethereal shadow-casting installations by Maryanne Nicholls.

Janet Watson, 59, proved that the course is not just the domain of the young.

Her work, relating to themes of homelessness, included a rug embroidered with a design of a busking man and his dog, backed by shopping bags.

The textile-culture exhibition, entitled Flock, shows a diverse range of work, including Darren Ball's tartlets made from beads and filigree work from Lesley Beasley.

Simon Willmoth, director of graduate studies and research, praised the expanding body of MA students for their continued quality of work.

"This is the largest MA group we have had at the school because we are putting on more courses than before," he said.

"We now have nine running.

"But the diversity as well as the quality is being maintained."

The exhibitions at the St George's Street art school are open daily, except Sunday, until Wednesday September 15, between 10am and 4.30pm.