Art and architecture graduates to exhibit at 2015 New Contemporaries

Published On Wed 4 Mar 2015 by Grant Hill

Eighteen graduate artists from the University of Dundee will exhibit their work at the 2015 Royal Scottish Academy New Contemporaries show in Edinburgh.

Now in its seventh year, New Contemporaries is regarded as the most prestigious showcase for young artists in Scotland and this year’s exhibition will take place at the RSA Galleries on The Mound from Saturday, 14th March to Wednesday, 8th April.

With nearly £40,000 worth of monetary prizes in addition to residency, studio and purchase prizes, the exhibition is an important initiative for emerging artists and architects in Scotland. 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.

The selection was made at the 2014 degree shows by elected exhibition convenor Edward Summerton RSA, with assistance from fellow academicians and representatives from the five main colleges of art. This year the six Scottish schools of architecture are each represented by a number of graduates selected by architecture convenor Fergus Purdie RSA (Elect). 

Fifteen of the 53 exhibiting artists graduated last year from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (DJCAD), part of the University. They are: Lucas Battich, Abigail Blair, Erin Fairley, Robbie Hamilton, Edward Humphrey, Emma Jolly, Gordon Murray, Jeppe Nielsen & Alan McIlrath, Ellis O'Connor, Cameron Orr, Steven Peebles, Moira Watson, Samantha Wilson, and Craig Wright.

In addition, three of the exhibiting architects – Hannah Beatty, Artom Tsapkov and Louise Patterson – are graduates of the University’s School of the Environment.

Professor Paul Harris, Dean of DJCAD, praised the achievement of the graduates chosen to exhibit, saying, “It is a great honour to be selected as among the best of your national peer group. All the exhibiting artists will benefit from the exposure that RSA New Contemporaries provides and I am sure our graduates will be among the winners when the prizes are awarded at this prestigious exhibition.”

Professor Graeme Hutton, Associate Dean and Head of Architecture, School of the Environment, added, “Our graduates have proven to be some of the country’s best emerging architects and this is only the first step in what I am sure will be glittering careers for them.”

New Contemporaries reflects the RSA’s commitment to supporting and presenting the best contemporary work in Scotland.  The RSA team works closely with the artists and architects towards developing a lasting relationship in the lead up to the exhibition and beyond. 

These recent graduates are given the opportunity to launch their careers at the prestigious RSA galleries by exhibiting a substantial body of work, including painting, sculpture, film making, photography, printmaking, architecture and installation. Works will be for sale and the exhibition offers patrons the opportunity to invest in Scotland’s up and coming talent. 

A new partnership with William Grant & Sons will offer one artist the opportunity of a three-month funded residency at the Glenfiddich distillery in Dufftown worth £10,000. This new prize augments an already impressive line-up of exhibition awards, including the £14,000 Fleming Wyfold Bursary.

In addition to the opportunities provided by the exhibition and its associated awards, a selection of exhibitors will be invited to present their work at the prestigious Fleming Collection in Mayfair, London.  The exhibition is titled ‘New Scottish Artists: a Royal Scottish Academy exhibition supported by the Fleming-Wyfold Foundation’ and will run from 21st April to 24th June, providing a significant platform for new Scottish artists in London.

New Contemporaries will be open at the RSA, The Mound, Edinburgh, from 14th March to 8th April. Admission costs £4/£2.

More information is available at the Royal Scottish Academy's webpages.

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