Visual Art
www.list.co.uk/visualart
‘I REALLY ENJOY BEING PART OF THAT COMMUNITY’ Hitlist THE BEST EXHIBITIONS *
Grace Gallagher
✽✽ Johan Grimonprez Presenting two central motifs of his practice, Grimonprez’s documentary footage and contemporary film showcase the artist’s incredible gift for sourcing the present from the past. Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh, until Sun 11 Jul. ✽✽ Degree Shows The great and the good showcase their finest, as both Glasgow and Edinburgh reveal their highly anticipated degree shows. See preview, left. Edinburgh College of Art Degree Show, Sat 12–Sun 20 Jun; Glasgow School of Art Degree Show, Sat 12 Jun–Sat 19 Jun. ✽✽ Gerard Byrne: Images or shadows of divine things Byrne continues his exploration of historical, theoretical and philosophical interests with this impressive photography exhibition featuring a variety of subjects, from the streets of urban America to a display of men’s shoes. The Common Guild, Glasgow, until 26 Jun. ✽✽ Raphael Danke The Berlin-based Danke’s collages, photography and sculptures stunningly re-envisage the legacy of Surrealism. See him at his best in this solo show. Sorcha Dallas, Glasgow, until Fri 9 Jul. ✽✽ Pioneeering Painters: The Glasgow Boys 1880- 1900 There’s still ample time to catch this major retrospective exploring the legacy of this group of late 19th-century painters. Kelvingove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow, until Mon 27 Sep. ✽✽ Chicks on Speed: Don’t Art, Fashion, Music Multi- disciplinary art collective bringing a punk-inspired oeuvre to bear on their first major show. Dundee Contemporary Arts, until Sun 8 Aug.
Talent shows
As Glasgow and Edinburgh prepare to showcase their finest outgoing talent with their much anticipated degree shows, Talitha Kotzé meets some of the makers
I t’s that time again. The last masterstroke has been cast; anticipation fills the air. This month graduating students at Edinburgh College of Art and Glasgow School of Art will showcase their finest work. GSA will show work from its architecture, design and fine art courses; eca offers up work from its art, architecture, landscape architecture and design disciplines.
With different specialisms at Edinburgh and Glasgow, prospective students make their choice based on their expectations, ideals and plans for the future. Nadia Scullion, who was born and bred in Glasgow, decided to do a BA (Hons) in Fashion at eca after seeing the high standard at the annual fashion show. For her degree show, Scullion will present a collection of structural garments constructed from leathers, jerseys and shirting in a variety of bold colours. ‘I was frustrated with the lack of exciting fabrics available, and as a result ended up pressing vinyl onto the surface of existing fabrics, altering their appearance entirely,’ she explains.
Scullion recently received a nomination for Scottish Graduate of the Year at the Scottish Fashion Awards and is working on a project in collaboration with Marks & Spencer. In the future she plans to work within an established design house. Over at GSA, Grace Gallagher, who specialised in illustration, will graduate with a BA (Hons) in Visual Communication. One of her works is a revamp of a textbook entitled Topics in Recreational Mathematics. A fan of maths, she interspersed the book with her
96 THE LIST 10-24 Jun 2010
own illustrations to make it aesthetically pleasing. Gallagher volunteered at Recoat gallery in the West End while completing her degree in a bid to gather important experience for her future. ‘I’d like to be more involved with curating because I really enjoy working with artists and being part of the community, not only by making, but also by organising,’ she explains.
Fellow soon-to-be graduate Yasmin Alzadjally will leave eca with an MA (Hons) in Landscape Architecture. Full of enthusiasm for what lies ahead, she is eager to share her thoughts on going back to the landscape: ‘It’s not about returning to what has been lost, but rather to re-interpret the landscape as it stands today. I am specifically interested in working with post-industrial sites.’ The only place in Scotland to offer landscape architecture, eca’s course is well recognised in the UK and abroad. ‘Landscape architecture is so different from architecture,’ explains Alzadjally. ‘Conceptualising the landscape has to incorporate the changing climate and all other unpredictable evolving forces, which makes it such a dynamic medium to work with.’ With heaps of energy and business acumen, these students are well equipped for the future. Their alma maters, GSA and eca, both open their doors to the public on Saturday 12 June. Enjoy.
Glasgow School of Art Degree Show, Sat 12 Jun–Sat 19 Jun, www.gsa.ac.uk; Edinburgh College of Art Degree Show, Sat 12–Sun 20 Jun, www.eca.ac.uk