26 March 2013
Graduates set for prestigious New Contemporaries exhibition
Picture is of Heather Anderson's work
Fourteen graduates of the University of Dundee will exhibit their work at this year's New Contemporaries show at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh.
New Contemporaries is regarded as the most prestigious showcase for young artists and architects in Scotland, and is now in its fifth year. It will open at the RSA Galleries on The Mound on Saturday, 13th April. Presenting work across a wide range of media, the carefully curated exhibition offers a unique opportunity to see the best of Scotland's emerging talent under one roof.
Art graduates have been chosen by exhibition convenor Francis Convery, with assistance from members of the RSA and representatives from the five main colleges of art. Thirteen of the 55 exhibiting artists graduated last year from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (DJCAD), part of the University.
They are: Ruth Aitken, Khalid Alsayed, Heather Anderson, Rachel Badger, Hayley Fisher, Sylvia Law, Eilidh McKay, Madeline Mackay, Liam McLaughlin, Miriam Mallalieu, Tim Sandys, Kevin Smith, and Harriet Yarrington.
In addition, Sam Wilson from the University's School of Architecture was chosen to work with architecture convenor Neil Gillespie RSA (Elect) to produce work for the exhibition. Sam also won the RIAS Silver Medal for best architecture student in Scotland last year.
Convener Francis Convery RSA said the graduates have been given the opportunity to launch their career by exhibiting a substantial body of new work; including painting, sculpture, film making, photography, printmaking, architecture and installation.
"The artists we selected this year were all chosen because their degree shows were outstanding," he said. "From almost 400 graduating artists, we selected 55, who are joined by five graduating architects, nominated by their respective schools.
"The selecting panel were choosing work that would represent the best of current practice and we responded where we could identify a combination of the visually compelling, intelligent skills and materials, tangible contemporary relevance, ambition, energy, courage, humour and subtext.
"The selection was not about 'the most hip', the 'latest thing', the 'most shocking'. It was not about fitting any specific theme or agenda. It was primarily what visually interested us, what skillfully held our attention, made us curious.
"In some cases the work seemed fully formed but others we thought showed greater potential given the extra time this show would provide. So we did take some risks when selecting those, alongside the more unanimously nominated presentations. However, in spite of our open agenda, a loose theme did emerge from the selection and a 'unity of diversity' would appear to accurately reflect the zeitgeist."
New Contemporaries reflects the RSA'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.
With over £11,000 worth of monetary prizes in addition to residency, studio and purchase prizes, the development of this exhibition is an important initiative for emerging artists in Scotland, enabling a 'first exhibition' opportunity for emergent artists annually.
Works will be for sale and the exhibition offers patrons the opportunity to invest in Scotland's up and coming talent.
New Contemporaries will be open at the RSA, The Mound, Edinburgh, from 13th April to 8th May. Admission costs £4/£2.
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
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