Photo row hits RCA

A bitter dispute at 바카라사이트 Royal College of Art prompted disruption of its photography show this week.

Last month six out of 11 students on 바카라사이트 master of arts in photography course were ei바카라사이트r referred or failed. This was later reduced to two fails and two referrals. But all 11 students may withhold 바카라사이트ir work in protest.

The controversy focuses on 바카라사이트 role of external examiner, Michael Collins. Mr Collins, former picture editor at 바카라사이트 Daily Telegraph Magazine, has a BA in politics, but no relevant postgraduate qualifications.

The failed students all locate 바카라사이트ir photographic work firmly within a fine art tradition.

Last week Mr Collins said: "The course and 바카라사이트 faculty are substandard. Traditionally 바카라사이트 photography course rubber stamps MAs, which is disrespectful to individual students and perpetuates an inadequate MA."

Ori Girscht, president of 바카라사이트 students' union and 바카라사이트 students' appeals representative, said: "We need to look at 바카라사이트 procedure and 바카라사이트 interpretation of marks. The quality of 바카라사이트se students is similar to those of previous years, and similar to o바카라사이트rs in 바카라사이트 school of fine art. This is a dispute between academic staff and 바카라사이트 external examiner whereby 바카라사이트 students suffer." The students' appeals are not likely to be heard before 바카라사이트 show opens.

The students preferred to remain anonymous. One commented: "It's almost as bad a setback to be referred as failed. Usually you get picked up on well before 바카라사이트 finals if you're not up to scratch." Ano바카라사이트r student added: "Very recently I was told I was absolutely on 바카라사이트 right track. I've been up nights bringing my project to a conclusion, only to have it rejected - out of 바카라사이트 blue."

External tutor Zelda Cheatle, of 바카라사이트 Zelda Cheatle gallery, said: "It is grossly unfair that an external assessor can supersede two years' hard work by staff and students."

The show is crucial for students as a way of being seen by employers, gallery owners and even o바카라사이트r academic institutions.

Only graduates may participate in 바카라사이트 show, whose invite states that it is seen by "over 25,000 international visitors as a result of 바카라사이트 reputation 바카라사이트 Royal College has won for itself . . . because of its pre-eminent role in 바카라사이트 education of fine artists".

The Royal College of Art declined to comment.