World renowned architect Frank Gehry who has just opened his first UK building in Dundee the new Maggie Centre - has just been conferred with an honorary degree from the University of Dundee.
After receiving his doctor of laws Frank Gehry said, "It is a great honour to receive this degree, and it has been a great honour to service the MaggieCentre. Maggie (Keswick Jencks) as you know was a great friend of mine and itwas great to do this building. I've been very lucky in enjoying my work, having a great time making the buildings and experiencing the world."
Addressing the students in the audience, he said, "Don't try to be someone else, try to find your own voice, find your own way. You cannot fail because success or failure is judged only by yourself. For me that is the strength that has allowed me to go on. Thank you for this great honour."
Frank Gehry said how much he had enjoyed his stay at Glamis Castle the previous night and wondered aloud to the audience if the room he had stayed in could have belonged to the late Queen Mother.
University of Dundee Principal Sir Alan Langlands welcomed Frank Gehry to the University this morning at the opening of the 'Breathing Space' symposium at the University's Visual Research Centre in Dundee Contemporary Arts. The symposium which features Frank Gehry, architects and cancer experts is addressing the aesthetic of cancer care.
Sir Alan said: "We are very privileged to have with us today one of the world's boldest perhaps the world's boldest, most imaginative and most challenging architects, Frank Gehry."
In designing the Maggie's Centre in Dundee for his great friend Maggie Keswick Jencks, Frank has given not just Maggie, but Dundee something utterly priceless. And more importantly he has provided for those who are affected by cancer an environment in which they can feel uplifted and in which they can reach for the highest quality of life.
By Jenny Marra, Head of Press 01382 344910 j.m.marra@dundee.ac.uk