Masters Shows 2014 – Dundee and Edinburgh.

This past week I’ve been in Scotland. I always enjoy visiting the Scottish shows where the quality of the graduating artists is very high. The Edinburgh MFA was a small show – the MFA is slightly different to the MA and this year, there was some excellent work on show – though much of it design based (which we don’t cover at NBA). Whilst in Edinburgh I met with Blair McLaughlin (a recent Dundee graduate) an artist I’m very excited about and who has recently been shortlisted for New Sensations. Over a coffee we discussed his plans for the future and the challenges of starting out as a young graduate artist. It can be difficult for an emerging artist to maintain their practice outside of the structure of Art College and without the resources of a studio, workshop, support and community of artists. Blair has risen to the challenge though and is continuing to work consistently following on from his graduation. He is researching into prizes, residencies and community art spaces. It is this kind of determination and commitment (combined with the obvious raw talent we find in his work) that you see in the artists who go on to build solid careers.

Then on to Dundee, a short train ride across the water to see the DJCAD Masters show. Before the show, I met Lisa and we also discussed her plans, like Blair she has the challenges of no longer benefitting from a college workshop to construct the boards for her work -she is resourcefully working around this though and has set up a room in her home to paint exclusively from. My time chatting with both Lisa and Blair made me think it would be so helpful for artists if there was a section on the site where we post listings of all the opportunities for artists from studio spaces, residencies, details and deadlines of prizes, available grants, communities – so, it’s on the to do list.

Each year I have a tour of the show in Dundee and really appreciate the time that the college staff takes to introduce me to the artists in person and introduce me to their work. The MA often includes artists who have previously graduated from the BA course; Lisa Scrimgeour graduated last year from this MA following her BA degree. The MA course here is underpinned by extensive research and this rigorous approach often results in rich, highly personal work. Being in conversation with the artists provides such essential context and understanding that I wonder how we can translate this online. No doubt video interviews would help here – something I plan to include more of in the future.

Detail from work displayed by Suzanne van der Lingen at Edinburgh MFA Show.

Lisa Scrimgeour

Allan Davies – in his studio DJCAD

Work by Allan Davies

Interactive installation by Kate Clayton

Kate Clayton – in front of her work.

Drew Walker in his show space.

Details from Drew Walker’s installation.

Detail from Drew Walker’s installation.

Natasha Dijkhoff in her studio space.

Installation by Elika Vlachaki – a circular weave on a warp of 360 threads – the piece suggests ‘home’ and a compass, an instrument for finding where we are and a guide for potential travel.