Pre Degree Show Gray's School of Art
Artist Statement.
In my work, I explore the identity and purpose of objects and places. Analysing the joyless life of an object often involves dismantling it, playing with its form and details to emphasize the nostalgia that shapes who we are. I am typically drawn towards everyday objects like chairs, sofas and staircases as these familiar objects are commonly overlooked and taken for granted. I am interested in how memories become buried in the rubble and are eventually carried away in skips—an alternative form of a coffin.
I view places architecturally by investigating what is underneath the floorboards, above the ceiling or behind the walls. This need not mean tearing down space but rather building alternative spaces to explore and understand the layers. I look over the history of lonely interiors with an expression of a past life displayed. These ghostly impressions expose the raw emotions of erosion and time. It is crucial for me to show these small changes as they build a portrait of human life and living. A familiar example can be found in the ever-changing streets of Aberdeen where granite facades are often empty yet undergo repeated deconstruction, renovation and reconstruction. A city’s landscape constantly changes through abandonment and the need for change and restoration. These places form fragile memories that I seek to express through drawings, castings, installations, and wooden sculptures as well as ceramics, painting, printmaking, and photography. My work explores our environment, in both its past and present, and seeks to expose the relationships between ourselves and our surroundings through the marks we leave behind.
In my work, I explore the identity and purpose of objects and places. Analysing the joyless life of an object often involves dismantling it, playing with its form and details to emphasize the nostalgia that shapes who we are. I am typically drawn towards everyday objects like chairs, sofas and staircases as these familiar objects are commonly overlooked and taken for granted. I am interested in how memories become buried in the rubble and are eventually carried away in skips—an alternative form of a coffin.
I view places architecturally by investigating what is underneath the floorboards, above the ceiling or behind the walls. This need not mean tearing down space but rather building alternative spaces to explore and understand the layers. I look over the history of lonely interiors with an expression of a past life displayed. These ghostly impressions expose the raw emotions of erosion and time. It is crucial for me to show these small changes as they build a portrait of human life and living. A familiar example can be found in the ever-changing streets of Aberdeen where granite facades are often empty yet undergo repeated deconstruction, renovation and reconstruction. A city’s landscape constantly changes through abandonment and the need for change and restoration. These places form fragile memories that I seek to express through drawings, castings, installations, and wooden sculptures as well as ceramics, painting, printmaking, and photography. My work explores our environment, in both its past and present, and seeks to expose the relationships between ourselves and our surroundings through the marks we leave behind.
Subterranean Stream The Suttie Arts Space (GHAT)
Biography.
Born 1997, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Lives and works in Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Born 1997, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Lives and works in Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Education.
2020 - 2021 Fine Art MA Gray’s School of Art
2017 - 2020 Contemporary Art Practice BA (Hons) Gray’s School of Art
2015 - 2017 Art & Design HND North-East Scotland College
2020 - 2021 Fine Art MA Gray’s School of Art
2017 - 2020 Contemporary Art Practice BA (Hons) Gray’s School of Art
2015 - 2017 Art & Design HND North-East Scotland College
Awards.
13 June - 20 June 2017 Commended North-East Scotland College
13 June - 20 June 2017 Commended North-East Scotland College
Residencies.
October 2021 - September 2022 Graduate in Residence Gray's School of Art
October 2021 - September 2022 Graduate in Residence Gray's School of Art
Drawings for Flooring Unshown Work
Group Exhibitions.
09 June - 03 July 2022 Emergent Look Again Project Space
The Graduate in Residenencies was commissioned to create an exhibition collaboration with RGU Art & Heritage collections. I selected 'Crucifixion' by David Pettigrew which inspired an installation.
01 December - 05 December 2021 Back Arkade Gallery
As a part of the residency at Gray's School of Art, I had the opportunity to be a part of the fourth years pre-degree showing 'Palace of Facade' in the quad.
12 November - 28 November 2021 Postgraduate Show Look Again Project Space/ Robert Gordon University Campus
Look Again hosted the Postgraduate Show 2021. The temporary installation 'Palace of Façade' is displayed on Campus. A model with pictures and edits of the installation in the Look Again Project Space.
06 March - 30 May 2021 Subterranean Stream The Suttie Arts Space (GHAT)
Graduate Award Exhibition, with Rachel McClure from Moray School of Art. Using the skip made originally for the Degree Show, a mix of new and old photographs of Aberdeen City Centre.
10 July - 19 June 2020 Virtual Degree Show Gray’s School of Art
An Online Degree Show to showcase the three years of studying at Gray's School of Art. The exhibition had digital 3D skips and photographs of a handmade skip in different locations.
26 April - 02 May 2019 Pre Degree Show Gray’s School of Art
Showcasing a huge array of small ceramic sofas that expresses an array of feelings.
16 November - 23 November 2018 First Quarter Aberdeen Business School
A small group of artists displayed in other parts of Robert Gordon University. I showed a small box room with unglazed ceramic sofas with a small white rug.
30 May - 06 June 2018 Smorg: ARTS: Bord Belmont Filmhouse
A group exhibition with other courses at Gray’s School of Art which was organised outside of University. Displayed small scale of wooden stairs.
13 June - 20 June 2017 Degree Show North-East Scotland College
After studying at North-East Scotland College for two years we had an end of year show to display our works which was an array of paintings.
09 June - 03 July 2022 Emergent Look Again Project Space
The Graduate in Residenencies was commissioned to create an exhibition collaboration with RGU Art & Heritage collections. I selected 'Crucifixion' by David Pettigrew which inspired an installation.
01 December - 05 December 2021 Back Arkade Gallery
As a part of the residency at Gray's School of Art, I had the opportunity to be a part of the fourth years pre-degree showing 'Palace of Facade' in the quad.
12 November - 28 November 2021 Postgraduate Show Look Again Project Space/ Robert Gordon University Campus
Look Again hosted the Postgraduate Show 2021. The temporary installation 'Palace of Façade' is displayed on Campus. A model with pictures and edits of the installation in the Look Again Project Space.
06 March - 30 May 2021 Subterranean Stream The Suttie Arts Space (GHAT)
Graduate Award Exhibition, with Rachel McClure from Moray School of Art. Using the skip made originally for the Degree Show, a mix of new and old photographs of Aberdeen City Centre.
10 July - 19 June 2020 Virtual Degree Show Gray’s School of Art
An Online Degree Show to showcase the three years of studying at Gray's School of Art. The exhibition had digital 3D skips and photographs of a handmade skip in different locations.
26 April - 02 May 2019 Pre Degree Show Gray’s School of Art
Showcasing a huge array of small ceramic sofas that expresses an array of feelings.
16 November - 23 November 2018 First Quarter Aberdeen Business School
A small group of artists displayed in other parts of Robert Gordon University. I showed a small box room with unglazed ceramic sofas with a small white rug.
30 May - 06 June 2018 Smorg: ARTS: Bord Belmont Filmhouse
A group exhibition with other courses at Gray’s School of Art which was organised outside of University. Displayed small scale of wooden stairs.
13 June - 20 June 2017 Degree Show North-East Scotland College
After studying at North-East Scotland College for two years we had an end of year show to display our works which was an array of paintings.
Postgraduate Show Robert Gordon University Campus
Projects.
08 May - 27 September 2021 Banchory Violin Trail Yeadon’s of Banchory
The Trail of 12 violins around Banchory was to celebrate James Scott Skinner, one of the greatest Scottish violinist and composer. In the Violin, I experimented with old photographs, maps of Banchory Railway Station and the Deeside Line.
19 October - 10 November 2019 Embedding Look Again Project Space
Other artists and I was commissioned by Rockrose, once named Marathon Oil to create a piece of work on Brae Bravo, an oil rig, they were decommissioning. I was given plot maps, engineering drawings to recreate into a 3D sculpture.
17 June - 23 June 2019 Gray’s Editions Gray’s School of Art
The small ceramic sofas were selected for Gray’s editions which was a pop-up store for Gray’s School of Art within The Degree Show 2019.
02 August - 21 August 2016 Play me, I’m Yours (Collaboration) Aberdeen International Airport
Aberdeen Inspired presented 12 street pianos to join the worldwide project ‘Play me, I’m Yours’, we worked on one of the pianos titled 42 which ended up being sold for charity.
08 May - 27 September 2021 Banchory Violin Trail Yeadon’s of Banchory
The Trail of 12 violins around Banchory was to celebrate James Scott Skinner, one of the greatest Scottish violinist and composer. In the Violin, I experimented with old photographs, maps of Banchory Railway Station and the Deeside Line.
19 October - 10 November 2019 Embedding Look Again Project Space
Other artists and I was commissioned by Rockrose, once named Marathon Oil to create a piece of work on Brae Bravo, an oil rig, they were decommissioning. I was given plot maps, engineering drawings to recreate into a 3D sculpture.
17 June - 23 June 2019 Gray’s Editions Gray’s School of Art
The small ceramic sofas were selected for Gray’s editions which was a pop-up store for Gray’s School of Art within The Degree Show 2019.
02 August - 21 August 2016 Play me, I’m Yours (Collaboration) Aberdeen International Airport
Aberdeen Inspired presented 12 street pianos to join the worldwide project ‘Play me, I’m Yours’, we worked on one of the pianos titled 42 which ended up being sold for charity.
Next generation of north-east artists in spotlight for milestone show Press and Journal
Press.
13 June 2022 Art reviews: Gray's School of Art Degree Show 2022 | Emergent Scotsman
18 November 2021 ‘The Palace of Façade’ goes on show at Gray's Postgraduate Showcase RGU News
11 November 2021 Next generation of north-east artists in spotlight for milestone show Press and Journal (Artwork)
02 June 2021 Banchory Violin Trail celebrates the town’s music heritage and supports local businesses Press and Journal
17 July 2020 Art review: Gray's School of Art, Degree Show 2020 Scotsman
20 October 2019 Embedding Mini Reviewer (Look Again)
13 June 2022 Art reviews: Gray's School of Art Degree Show 2022 | Emergent Scotsman
18 November 2021 ‘The Palace of Façade’ goes on show at Gray's Postgraduate Showcase RGU News
11 November 2021 Next generation of north-east artists in spotlight for milestone show Press and Journal (Artwork)
02 June 2021 Banchory Violin Trail celebrates the town’s music heritage and supports local businesses Press and Journal
17 July 2020 Art review: Gray's School of Art, Degree Show 2020 Scotsman
20 October 2019 Embedding Mini Reviewer (Look Again)