2 June 2009

Dingwall holds it own at Dundee Degree Show

The Dingwall Diaspora may have scattered across the globe over the past couple of centuries, but a unique colony of exiled Dingwallians has sprung up within the University of Dundee in recent years.

This year’s Degree Show at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, part of the University, features the work of three graduates from the Jewellery & Metal Design course who are all former pupils at Dingwall Academy.

In addition, next year will see a further two Academy FP’s graduate and exhibit their final year jewellery designs at the Dundee Degree Show, one of the highlights of the Scottish cultural calendar.

Graduating students Hannah Livingston, Amy Mackay and Kate Tweddle all attended the Dingwall school, as did Maria MacLennan and Anne Sutherland, who will be looking to emulate their friend’s achievements next year.

The well-travelled road from the Academy to DJCAD can partly be explained by the fact that Hannah’s mother, Jane Livingston-Parkin, taught art at the school during the time the girls attended, and - along with colleague Donna Munro-Maine - introduced a jewellery component to the Higher and Advanced Higher Art syllabus.

Jane, who now teaches at Invergordon Academy, helped prepare pupils for their studies by placing a strong emphasis on drawing and observation, skills that are essential in good jewellery and metal design.

She expressed her delight at seeing so many former pupils exhibiting at the Degree Show, saying, 'I think it’s absolutely fantastic to see all these talented young designers doing so well, and all their work is beautiful and well executed and they have displayed great professionalism.'

'I’m very proud of all of them, but especially of my daughter. They’re also a great credit to Donna Munro-Maine, who started the Jewellery course with me at Dingwall, and who I now work with at Invergordon Academy.'

Despite their shared origins, the three graduating students have created strikingly individual work. Amy’s body of work is inspired by nests and ideas of home, which extends to both wearable jewellery and tableware while Kate has introduced surrealist elements into her intricately patterned, handpainted silver wearable pieces which relate to the analysis of dreams.

Hannah’s statement neckpieces and rings appeal to those of a sentimental nature as she has made tiny keepsake boxes with a secret compartment for a treasured photo.

Hannah (22) said it was unusual for so many students from one corner of Ross-shire to all go onto undertake one, fairly specialist course, but felt her mother’s influence may have had something to do with it.

'It is quite strange, I suppose, but my mum starting the jewellery course helped meant we had experience of working with jewellery before we left school.'

Kate (22), originally from Maryburgh, said she thought the reasons behind Dundee’s sizeable Dingwall colony were probably quite diverse.

'We kind of knew who everyone was at school, but some of us were in different years and came from different places, so it wasn’t like there was any masterplan for us to end up in the same place.'

'We got to know each other better when we came to Dundee, and that’s been great.'

Muir of Ord’s Amy (23) explained her reasons for studying Jewellery. 'I like working with materials and doing some thing hands on while learning a skill,' she said. 'Because of this, Jewellery was perfect for me, and I wanted to do it rather than anything else.'

The three students commented favourably on the art department at Dingwall Academy and said that the teachers there had been very encouraging and inspiring.

Maria Maclennan (20), also from the Muir of Ord, said the quality of their friend’s work meant she and Anne were now under a great deal of pressure for their own Degree Show.

'The standard of their work is fantastic, and its great seeing everyone’s stuff in this setting,' she said. 'We helped them out when they were getting set up and that’s given us a better idea of what to expect next year.'

Anne (21), from Dingwall, said Mrs Livingston’s teaching helped her in the early stages of her career, and explained her reasons for studying Jewellery.

'I always knew this is what I wanted to do, but being able to take a jewellery component in the Higher and Advanced Higher courses really helped me prepare better for coming to University.'

For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk