Degree Show 2017

Published On Tue 9 May 2017 by Grant Hill

The University of Dundee will once more be transformed into Scotland’s largest exhibition space next week when the annual Art, Design & Architecture Degree Show begins its 2017 run.

The traditional Preview Evening takes place on Friday, 19^th May before the exhibition officially opens to the public the next day.

Degree Show takes place throughout the two buildings and fourteen floors that comprise Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, with every spare space hosting exhibits from some of the UK’s brightest emerging creative talents.

Almost 350 students from Duncan of Jordanstone and the School of Social Sciences will showcase the fruits of their undergraduate labours to thousands of visitors over the show’s 10-day run. A range of activities, including pop-up cafes run by popular Dundee restaurant Gallery 48 each weekend, will also take place.

Duncan of Jordanstone was ranked as Scotland’s leading school of art and design in the recent Complete University Guide and Guardian University Guide tables and many of its students go on to be world-renowned artists, animators, designers and makers.

This year’s cohort will be hoping to emulate the success of the likes of Turner Prize winner Susan Philipsz, illustrator Jo Basford, photographer Albert Watson, fashion designer Hayley Scanlan, film director David Mackenzie, video games pioneer Aaron Garbut, Star Wars animator Matt Cameron, and the late painter Alberto Morrocco, who are all Duncan of Jordanstone alumni.

Professor Paul Harris, Dean of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, said, “It is hard to describe how exciting and vibrant a time this is for everyone involved. The buzz has been building for months and the students who have poured their heart and soul into their work over several years are reaching the end of their undergraduate careers.

“This is far from the end of their journey in art and design, however. They may become practising artists or they may go on to work in film, games and animation studios. They might find themselves working with some of the world’s largest tech companies or leading the next big start-ups. They may go on to do something completely different but we are confident that what they have learned in their years here will stand them in good stead, regardless of which field they choose to work in.

“This is a chance for visitors to immerse themselves in work by some of the UK’s most talented emerging architects, artists and designers, hugely creative individuals who have the potential to change the way we live by tackling some of the biggest problems facing the world. I look forward to being amazed and inspired once again by the breathtaking work and products our students have created and encourage everyone to do likewise.”

The Degree Show is one of the highlights of the city’s cultural calendar, with 12-15,000 visitor expected to attend and generate in excess of £1.5million for the local economy in the process.

The Preview Evening for students, their families and guests takes place from 6-9pm on Friday, 19^th May. The Degree Show then opens to the public the next day and remains open until Sunday, 28th May.

Admission is free and the exhibition is open from 10am until 8pm (Monday – Friday) and 10am to 4pm (Saturday – Sunday).

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
Tel: +44 (0)1382 384768
Mobile: 07854 953277
Email: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk