I am delighted to be exhibiting in Aberdeen Art Gallery for the first time. Despite the gallery being closed for the majority of my time at Gray's School of Art, I was able to relish the opportunities of talks, volunteering, workshops, and exhibitions during my 4th year. I have fond memeories of this short but sweet time in the Gallery and remember being blown away by the entrance hall when I first visited. I actually spent one of the final days before lockdown, leading visitors around the Bill Gibb's line in Gallery 2. Now in a full circle moment, I find my very own drawing exhibited in the same space.
This opportunity has only been made possible with thanks to the David and June Memorial Trust. The trust has been supporting the arts community, and youth organisations in the North East for nearly 50 years. Amongst its many initiatives is the annual award to artists with local links whose work has been selected for the RSA New Contemporaries, held annually in Edinburgh. The work in the Gordon Contemporaries exhibition has been created by the artists who have received this award in previous years. It is a privelege to have been amongst these artists and showcase such an array of work together.
The Private View was a wonderful occassion to meet with fellow Gray graduates and the generous Trustees of David and June Gordon Memorial Trust. I would also like to extend my thanks to Haddo Arts and McInroy & Wood for making this opportunity possible.
For my drawing, I wanted to capture an essence of my life in the North East. Living by the harbour for 3 years, meant I was emersed in the day to day hustle and bustle of the fishing community. As such, this drawing is inspired by one of my many associations with Aberdeen - fishing & the sea.
