Artists and architect set for New Contemporaries honour
Published On Fri 8 Mar 2019 by Grant Hill
Fourteen graduate artists and architects from the University of Dundee will compete for more than £25,000 of prizes when Scotland’s most prestigious celebration of emerging creative talent opens this weekend.
RSA New Contemporaries will take place at the Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, from Saturday 9 March to Wednesday 2 April. The exhibition showcases the work of 63 graduates of Scotland’s universities, including the Dundee contingent, who impressed judges with their work at their Degree Shows last year.
The artists who studied at the University’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design are Nicole Cumming, Elizabeth Day, Michael Doherty, Melina Doumy, Megan Goldie, Rachel McCreadie, Zen O’Conor, Catie O’Hara, Lara Orman, Senyn, Nina Stanger, Jamie Steedman, and Daniel Twist. Exhibiting architect Louisa Schmolke is a graduate of the University’s School of Social Sciences.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of RSA New Contemporaries. Since its inception, 129 artists and 16 architects from Dundee have taken part in the exhibition, winning more than £60,000 in prizes and launching their careers on the national stage.
Professor Jeanette Paul, Acting Dean of Duncan of Jordanstone, said, “Each year, RSA New Contemporaries encapsulates the very best of Scotland’s emerging artistic talent and we are delighted that so many of our graduates are once again taking part. Duncan of Jordanstone graduates have done particularly well at this prestigious exhibition over the past decade and I’m sure this year’s cohort will also excel, both in terms of the prizes up for grabs and the careers they go on to enjoy.”
Cameron Wilson, Head of Architecture and Urban Planning at the University, added, “It is wonderful to see Louisa’s work mature throughout her five years of study with us and culminate in this imaginative, bold and innovative re-working of the city.
“I am certain that the RSA New Contemporaries exhibition along with Louisa’s, creativity, ingenuity and determination will ensure her trajectory is similar to those other graduates from Dundee who have gone on to establish themselves as some of the best young architects in the country.”
RSA New Contemporaries reflects the Academy’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.
The RSA New Contemporaries exhibition awards include the £10,000 Glenfiddich Artists in Residence Award. In addition to the monetary awards, residency, studio and purchase prizes are also up for grabs.
New Contemporaries will be open at the RSA, The Mound, Edinburgh, from Saturday 9 March to Wednesday 3 April. Admission costs £6/£4.
More information is available at https://www.royalscottishacademy.org/exhibitions/rsa-new-contemporaries-2019/.
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