24 September 2009

Anniversary exhibition in the University Tower

The 20th anniversary of the Tower Foyer Gallery at the University of Dundee is being celebrated with a special exhibition featuring artworks from the Duncan of Jordanstone College students of 1989.

Although the Tower Building opened in 1961, the Foyer Gallery was only created to hold regular exhibitions in 1989. The creation of the gallery space was organised by Augusta Hamlin, the wife of Michael Hamlin, who was Principal of the University from 1987 to 1994. The Hamlins took a keen interest in the University’s art collections, and in 1994 established the Museum Collections Unit and employed the first professional curator to look after the University’s artworks and artefacts. A purpose-built gallery wall was added to the Tower Foyer in 2001, greatly enhancing the displays shown there.

The first exhibition held in the Foyer Gallery in 1989 was of student artworks on loan from Duncan of Jordanstone College. This anniversary exhibition therefore features work from the College’s collection - all by students who were at the Art College in 1989.

'This is a fascinating opportunity to step back in time and see what the art students of 20 years ago were creating - including paintings, prints, sculpture, photography and more,' said Matthew Jarron, Curator of Museum Services at the University.

The exhibition opens tomorrow (Friday September 25th) and runs until November 14th in the Foyer Gallery of the Tower Building on Perth Road. Admission is free.

For more information contact:
Matthew Jarron, Curator of Museum Services
01382 384310
m.h.jarron@dundee.ac.uk.

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
MOBILE: 07800 581902