The University of Westminster has unveiled its 2025 Season’s Greetings card, featuring a vibrant and imaginative design created by second-year Illustration BA Honours student Ntasha Charles.
The artwork, titled Spontaneous Joy, is created with fluid watercolour brushstrokes and colourful patterns. The piece evokes a sense of intuitive rhythm rather than a controlled one, with each mark representing a moment of unfiltered and automatic reaction to the colours presented to the artist. Rather than depicting joy through bold or structured patterns, the softness of the curves and colours create a meaningful, fleeting and delicate moment of joy.
Ntasha created the piece as part of her Image-Making module under the brief of Automatism. The project aimed to get students to shake loose control and create something through impulse and instinct.
Ntasha said: “I initially found the theme of this work rather hard, and I was constantly striving to break free from this idea. I began exploring a wide range of media and opted for watercolour, which is one I would surprisingly never touch. I felt joy with this imperfect piece, and I think that is exactly the meaning of joy.”
Ntasha takes her inspiration from the idea of freedom of expression. She thrives off the randomness of art itself and the enjoyment of creating something without it always having to be perfect. For her, the imperfection, the messy sketches and the sudden ideas that get drawn to life are what makes them unique and easier to learn from.
About being chosen to be featured on this year’s Season’s Greetings card she said: “When I heard my work would be chosen for the card, and specifically this one, I made my piece even more tied to its title. The feelings I felt after I completed it and when receiving this opportunity definitely resonated. Now, adding to the joy of Christmas, I hope this evokes that feeling of appreciating such a beautiful emotion and reminding ourselves that it’s okay to let go and feel joy for a moment.”
Through sharing Ntasha’s artwork, the University of Westminster is directly contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, as it has given her a platform to share her work, inspire others and gain interest in her artwork. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
Find out more about studying Illustration BA Honours at the University of Westminster.
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