DJCAD graduates selected for “best of the best” exhibition

Published On Fri 13 Jun 2014 by Grant Hill

Two Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (DJCAD) graduates have been selected for a new exhibition showcasing the best young artists to emerge in Scotland over the past six years.

Stuart McAdam, who graduated in 2008, and Jonny Lyons, a member of the class of 2013, will show exhibit at Open Dialogues, which opens at the Royal Scottish Academy of Art & Architecture in Edinburgh on 28th June. The exhibition is part of Edinburgh Art Festival and Generation, a landmark series of exhibitions tracing the remarkable development of contemporary art in Scotland. 

Open Dialogues is a group exhibition, showcasing new work by six artists selected from each of the RSA New Contemporaries exhibitions since the inaugural show in 2009. New Contemporaries is regarded as the most prestigious showcase for young artists in Scotland, and brings together the best exhibitions from the country’s four art college Degree Shows each year.

“We are absolutely thrilled for Stuart and Jonny to have been chosen to exhibit at Open Dialogues,” said Jeanette Paul, Acting Dean of DJCAD. “Each year we contribute more than our fair share of participants to New Contemporaries, the exhibition of the best graduating artists in the country, meaning that being selected for Open Dialogues represents being identified as among the best of the best.

“I would like to send our warmest congratulations to both fantastic artists, and also to our graduands who have been selected for next year’s New Contemporaries on the strength of their exhibits at the 2014 DJCAD Degree Show.”

With over £25,000 worth of monetary prizes in addition to residency, studio and purchase prizes, New Contemporaries is an important initiative for Scottish creative talent, enabling a ‘first exhibition’ opportunity for emergent artists each year. Presenting work across a wide range of media, the carefully curated exhibition offers a unique opportunity to see the best of Scotland’s emerging talent under one roof.

Art graduates are chosen by the RSA with assistance from fellow academicians and representatives from the five main colleges of art and 15 graduates of DJCAD, part of the University of Dundee, have been selected to exhibit at next year’s New Contemporaries. They are: Jeppe Nielson and Alan McIlrath, Ellis O'Connor, Moira Watson, Lucas Battich, Cameron Orr, Aigail Blair, Craig Wright, Emma Jolly, Steven Peebles, Robbie Hamilton, Samantha Wiison, Gordon Murray, Erin Fairley, and Edward Humphrey.

The Open Dialogues exhibitors have been selected for their impact upon contemporary practice, development since New Contemporaries and quality of their work. The relationship between the artists – Ernesto Cánovas, Geri Loup Nolan, Eva Ullrich and Ade Adesinaand in addition to the DJCAD graduates – and the RSA has been developed further via the broad range of artist opportunities that the organisation offers.

Open Dialogues, featuring painting, printmaking, film, sculpture, installation and performance-based work, runs from Saturday, June 28th until Sunday, 31st August. Entry is free and the exhibition is open seven days a week.

Work will be available for purchase at the exhibition, which will be curated and presented by The Royal Scottish Academy of Art and Architecture with additional support from Creative Scotland.

Notes to editors:

Stuart McAdam (RSA New Contemporaries in 2009) graduated with a BA (Hons) Fine Art from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in 2008. He lives and works in Glasgow. His presentation includes new works which focus on his journeys to areas of Europe which were significant frontiers during World War I.

Jonny Lyons (RSA New Contemporaries 2014) graduated with a BA (Hons) Fine Art from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in 2013. He lives and works in Glasgow. He uses photographs and sculpture to capture his adventurous performances. 

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