A Fine Art tutor and four graduates of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design (DJCAD), University of Dundee, have been selected to represent Scotland at the 50th Venice Biennale - the world's biggest and most important showcase for contemporary visual arts.
Newly commissioned work by tutor and established artist Graham Fagen and recent graduates Katy Dove, Luke Fowler, Duncan Marquiss and Stephen Sutcliffe will be featured in Scotland's contribution to the Biennale's projects programme during the opening week of the event, June 11-June 14.
Additionally, another artist with a DJCAD link - Simon Starling - is one of three Scottish artists who will present new work at the Biennale's main exhibition from June 15 to November 2. Simon was awarded the prestigious two-year DJCAD Henry Moore Sculpture Fellowship in 1999.
This year is the first since 1990 that Scotland will have had a presence at the famed Biennale. The Scottish contribution is being organised by the Glasgow-based Zenomap team, supported by the Scottish Arts Council and the British Council Scotland.
The Biennale's projects programme is to be held in a contemporary venue in the Dorsoduro area of Venice, while the main exhibition will be held at the 17th century Palazzo Giustinian in the heart of the city.
Professor of Fine Art Alan Robb said, "It is great news for the School of Fine Art that we have such strong representation at the Venice Biennale. It is interesting to note that, with the exception of Graham, who is well established and has exhibited widely around the world, the curation of the event seems to be pushing in the direction of newer artists."
Head of School Euan McArthur said, "The selection for the Scottish exhibition at the Venice Biennale was highly competitive. It is a remarkable achievement that of the 25 artists chosen, six should be connected to the School of Fine Art, four as recent Graduates, one as a tutor and another as a former sculpture fellow. The School is clearly playing a strong role in supporting and developing the talents of Scottish artists, and the selection is, indirectly, a compliment to the work done here as well as a recognition of the individual talents of the artists."
By Jane Smernicki, Press Officer 01382 344768 j.m.smernicki@dundee.ac.uk