14 May 2008

Portraits spy on each other at Degree Show

A series of huge paintings which link thematically and physically form one of the most spectacular installations at this year’s Degree Show at the University of Dundee.

Dundonian student Fraser Gray’s work - which uses bold imagery and evocative figure painting - covers the whole wall of a stairwell plus two more sizeable surfaces, forming a stunning overall piece.

The 21-year-old has spent the last month putting the series of paintings together.

"It has taken a bit longer than most of the other Degree Show installations, but then that’s what you take on with something on this scale," said Fraser, a student in Fine Art at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design.

Fraser’s works portray colonialist links to our current society, for example, his piece 'The Summons' deals with the repercussions of the British interventions in Sri Lanka. The work plays with perspective as portraits on different walls reveal different points of view in each picture through the use of narrow viewing windows and clever use of angles.

"I want people to work it out as they come and see it, but the paintings do all work together," said Fraser.

The series of paintings include portraits of fellow Dundee students Bijan Moghbel, Martin McGuinness and Michael Skelly. Stylistically the work includes elements of graffiti, which has been a strong influence on Fraser - he got into graffiti as a teenager and credits the visual and political elements of this scene for his choice of study path.

In his work he uses both spray and emulsion paint in the symbolic, patterned backdrops and introduces oils for some details of the figures. He has received sponsorship from Monster Spray Paints during his degree when he carried out a commission abroad.

The University’s Degree Show 08, hosted by Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design and the School of Architecture, opens with a preview evening on Friday. It is then open to the public from Saturday May 17th to 24th.

Exhibition open:
Saturday 17 May 9.30am- 4.30pm
Sunday 18 May 9.30am- 4.30pm
Monday- Friday 9.30am- 8.30pm
Saturday 24 May 9.30am- 2pm

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk