Slava Lawson

A childhood picture by Slava Lawson who has just graduated from Dundee in animation. This picture is in my good friends house and I wanted to share it with you it is of her cat Tom, not a tiger but tigerish enough to include I this group of tiger posts. Slava painted it when she was visiting after school one day. 

Mary-Ann Orr

Mary-Ann Orr's 'Wreck'. 
This spring here in Eastern Scotland we had the traumatic discovery of thousands of dead puffins along our coastline, indeed I found one myself. These birds had been killed in the unseasonably bad spring squalls and storms mainly because they were starving and did not have the reserves or strength to continue. 
Mary-Ann Orr's work is a homage to their suffering and though difficult viewing was a stunningly beautiful installation and print series.
"The death of thousands of puffins in the North Sea earlier this year is testimony to the fine balance the birds play with nature, and the threats they face from man's activities. Puffins are already at risk due to shortage in their food, such as sandeel that has been heavily over fished in North Scotland. . .
Dwindling fish stocks combined with increased intensity and frequency of storms induced by climate change is making the seabirds struggle for their life ever more challenging. Yet as you walk along the beach and notice a little carcase in the sand are you aware of how intricately you are linked to its fate." Mary-Ann Orr

Jon Nicolson

Jon Nicolson's degree show at Gray's School of Art was again rich with texture, I liked his experiments with the canvas the raw materials and the stitch.

“My practice deals with an investigation into the body in relation to the subject of brutality, exploring this connection through Painting. Process is an integral part of my working method; I use the deconstruction of the methodology of Painting to create an unsettling presence. The physicality of my working method is a concept I’m conscious of, the works are often ‘sculpted’ in a manner which leaves traces of the human presence in a very deliberate involvement. Mixing unconventional mediums such as latex with the typical I attempt to treat the materials in a similar manner to physical and visceral components, tying together the physicality of the body and the static and inanimate form of Painting to create a viewing response of curiosity and unease in a visceral manner." Jon Nicolson

Emma Rogers

This years degree show at Gray's School of Art was noticeably full of texture. Emma Rogers work is built up with layers of origami and paint and reminded me of the winter frosts.

"The art of origami is a fascinating skill  fundamental to my creative process. Alongside its ability to transform something very simple into something extremely complex. The act of repeatedly folding a piece of paper instigate a process of personal control that i seek within my working practice . . . The methodical manipulation of such simplistic material strives to produce something beautiful out of something seemingly mundane." Emma Rogers

Laura McGlinchey

I travelled to Aberdeen yesterday to see the degree show at Gray's School of Art. 
There was some wonderful work on display that I will share over the next few days.
This piece is by Laura McGlinchey and is as large as it is bright and textured. You can see how her pieces are constructed on her website.

"The paintings that I make are determined by the materials that I can find within my immediate surroundings - billboard paper, event fliers, general advertisement posters , and can logistically take back to the studio." The materials that I find and the way in which I use them, constantly refer back to their original urban context. These environments were selected because they are places that I have associations with and personal memories of. Memories give us knowledge in which to move forward in life." Laura McGlinchey

Alice Newman III

I love the old buildings in Dundee there are some very sad, crumbling beauties which I hope in Dundee's regeneration will be revisited and given some loving care. So I was happy to see that Alice Newman had honoured some of them in her sketchbooks. Below is one of my favourites squashed between road, rail and Tesco's. 

Alice Newman II

Alice Newman's Dundee Pub Map

Alice Newman I

Alice Newman has just graduated from DJCAD in illustration and has focused a lot of her work on the city of Dundee, this is her lovely colourful print of the city.

"I aim to show the charm found in ordinary places, such as in pubs, streets and coffee shops. Dundee has been a great inspiration to me over the last year. Drawing on location around the city has influenced and inspired my drawing, which has enabled me to build a portfolio that highlights Dundee’s charms and quirks"

Joanna Jakutowska

A last few posts from Dundee Degree Show which finishes tomorrow. 
Joanna Jakutowska's animation was fantastic as were her stunning life drawings. Hopefully soon I will be able to share her animation with you as well.

Daniel Bruton

I still have some things to hare from DJCAD the Dundee degree show. This is the work of Daniel Bruton who made this wild looking costume, that reminded me of the Burry man, except that this is made from cardboard scales. Daniel was then filmed propelling himself at a ramp in a decorated shopping trolley (the ramp was at the wrong angle and you do not get to see what I can only think would be a painful result). 

Mary-Beth Quigley

Mary-Beth Quigley's degree show at DJCAD Dundee, features a life size giraffe called Geoff, and a menagerie of other creatures peering at you from unexpected places. 
Mary-Beth's work has evolved from a love of costume,installation and film. Scraps of fabric giving shape to childhood memories and evoking a time of joy and innocence.

Flo Gordon

Flo Gordon has created a bright joyful plasticine dominated degree show at Duncan of Jordanstone College  of art and design.
I always love plasticine in art it is such a surreal art material and always seems playful and fun. You can see various other posts about plasticine here.