One Week Left to See Scotland’s Emerging Artists

I’m planning a trip up to Edinburgh this weekend and I can’t wait to visit the second annual RSA NEW CONTEMPORARIES exhibition. It opened at the Royal Scottish Academy Galleries in Edinburgh on 3 April and continues until 21 April 2010. The exhibition presents 60 of the finest artists and architects selected from the 2009 Art and Architecture Degree Shows, this curated exhibition offers a unique opportunity to see the best of Scotland’s emerging talent under one roof.



London’s degree shows always seem to capture a lot of attention and the public’s imagination, so it’s fantastic to see the RSA supporting new and emerging Scottish artists. As an art collector and enthusiast, I am always keen to visit degree shows. I think the legacy left by the Freeze show in 1988, has left a lot of students staring to the past and the YBAs wondering if “it” will happen for them too. Today, I think our approach needs to be more pragmatic, so the RSA’s initiative is incredibly important.



The artists were chosen from the 2009 Scottish Degree shows by members of the Royal Scottish Academy (lead by Joyce Cairns RSA) and representatives from the five main colleges of art and six schools of architecture in Scotland. The chosen graduates are given the opportunity to launch their career at the prestigious RSA galleries by showcasing a selection of new work; including painting, sculpture, filmmaking, photography, printmaking, architecture and installation.



RSA NEW CONTEMPORARIES demonstrates the RSA’s commitment to supporting and presenting the best contemporary work in Scotland and the RSA team is working closely with the artists and architects towards developing a lasting relationship in the lead up to the exhibition and beyond. With over £12,000 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 some 60+ emergent artists annually.




RSA NEW CONTEMPORARIES 2010
3 – 21 April 2010. All RSA Galleries
The Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL
Open Monday to Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 12noon – 5pm.
Admission £2/£1 concession

EXHIBITING ARTISTS:

Edinburgh College of Art: Richard Bracken, Alexander Allan, Catriona Gilbert, Chris Mackie, Ben Fielding, Tom Nolan, Kirstyn Cameron, Rachel Maclean, Catriona Reid, Ernesto Canovas, Christopher Bryant, Toby Cooke, Magdalena Blasinska, Peter Williams

Duncan of Jordanstone: Jessica Ramm, Georgia Rose Murray, Jamie Fitzpatrick, Astrid Leeson, Omar Zingaro Bhatia, Carolyn Scott, Chloe Gough, Karen Skillen, Jonathan Richards, Martin Hill, Emma McIntyre

Moray College of Art: Selena S. Kuzman, Janet Gordon

Glasgow School of Art: Laura Moss, Maximilliam Swinton, Catriona Munro, Harriet Lowther, August Krogan-Roley, Michael Lacey, Fiona Weir, Sarah Hendry, Maximillian Slaven, Julia McKinlay, Rachel Wright, Eleanor Royle, Veronika Pausova, Louis Guy, David Jacobs, Yngvild Mehren

Gray's School of Art: Andy Cummings, Jenny Hood, Gregor Morrison, Matthew Pang, Jacqueline Shortland, Scott Simpson, Alice Spicer, Richard Watson

Architecture:
Edinburgh College Of Art: Klas Hyllen;
Mackintosh School of Architecture: Jonathan Middleton, Jon Morrison
Scott Sutherland School Of Architecture & Built Environment: Greig Penny, Sara Russell
University Of Dundee: Cameron Mcewan
University Of Edinburgh: Piotr Lesniak
University Of Strathclyde: Andrew Campbell

www.royalscottishacademy.org

Now go on, get yourself to Edinburgh this weekend. Maybe, I’ll see you there!

Images (c) artists
1. Selena Kuzman Dionysian(2009)
2. Omar Bhatia Omar's Spuriosity Shop(2009)image courtsey of Ross Fraser Mclean
3.Carolyn Scott Albs(2007)
4.Jamie Fitzpatrick Tell me, what do you see(2009)