An exhibition of new work by artists who completed RSA residencies in 2008/09
Developmental support of artists towards the creation of new work is a primary aim of the RSA, with opportunities currently given to some 35+ artists per annum. Research: RSA Award in Focus presents the work of seven of the artists who were awarded RSA Residencies in 2008/09: Sean Ambrose, Iain Gardner, Eòghann MacColl, Jan Pottinger-Glass, Teresa Sciberras, and Ric Warren. The exhibition runs from the 26 September to 18 October 2009 in the RSA Finlay Room and admission is free.
The RSA residency initiatives have often acted as a stepping-stone between art school and fledgling career for many now distinguished Scottish artists. Some opportunities are for international travel, such as the RSA John Kinross Scholarships, the Alastair Salvesen Painting and Travel Scholarship, and the RSA Barns-Graham Travel Award. Other Scholarships are for the development of new work in Scotland, in collaboration with partners such as The Scottish Arts Council, The Friends of the RSA, Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop and Peacock Visual Arts to name a few.
Sean Ambrose, Jan Pottinger-Glass, Teresa Sciberras, and Ric Warren, were all awarded RSA John Kinross Scholarships in 2008. The RSA John Kinross Memorial Fund was set up in memory of John Kinross RSA; a renowned architect who was greatly influenced by Florence, the beautiful Italian city which has been an inspiration to generations of artists and architects. Each scholar is awarded £2,000 for a three month period of study in Florence and, on their return, has one work accessioned into the prestigious RSA collection.
Eòghann MacColl recently completed a residency at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig; a Gaelic-speaking further education college situated on the Isle of Skye. MacColl is interested in indigenous histories and stories from cultures that have had to survive beside, or within, larger or more dominant ones. Frequently images are landscapes where the land meets the sea, yet they contain visual elements – the side of a house, a road, playing fields, a car park – hinting at the communities in these isolated coastal regions of Europe. MacColl has also created found-object pieces and a series of photographs dealing with identity and citizenship for this exhibition.
Iain Gardner will be showing sketches from for the first stage of Animals; a series of existential fables featuring personified animals, whose words and sounds will form the basis for a mixed-media music theatre work incorporating the animations, which have been created with the support of the Friends of the Royal Scottish Academy Bursary. The eventual theatre work will be in collaboration with writer Johnny Rodger and composer Stephen Davismoon.
In June this year, the RSA launched The Royal Scottish Academy Residencies for Scotland programme in association with the Scottish Arts Council. With a total budget of some £45,000 available to artists, this exciting new scheme will provide funded residency opportunities with partner provider venues across Scotland enabling contemporary artists a period of research and forging vital new links with these artistic centres of excellence. It is intended that there will be increased exhibiting opportunities at the RSA for the residency artists over the coming years.
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Research: RSA Awards in Focus
26 September to 18 October 2009. RSA Finlay Room
The Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL
Open Monday to Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 12noon – 5pm.
Admission Free
Notes to editors
1) About the Royal Scottish Academy:
The Royal Scottish Academy has a proud tradition of promoting excellence in contemporary art in Scotland. Led by eminent artists and architects it supports the creation, understanding and enjoyment of the visual arts through exhibitions, artist opportunities and related educational talks and events. Re-establishing itself as a leading organisation for the visual arts in Scotland, it has successfully garnered a reputation for the strength of its engaging and diverse exhibitions and the fantastic opportunities it offers both established and emerging artists. For further information about the RSA visit www.royalscottishacademy.org
2) About the artists:
Sean Ambrose (RSA John Kinross Scholar 2008)
Sean Ambrose, 23 , was born and raised in Aberdeen. He graduated from Gray’s school of art in 2008 with a first class BA (Hons) in Fine Art, painting. He has received a number of awards including at the RSA New Contemporaries show 2009; the RSA painting prize with the Maclean Watters medal and the David Gordon Memorial Trust award.
Iain Gardner (RSA John Kinross Scholar 2008)
Iain Gardner is a graduate of the Royal College of Art Animation course. He has animated at many studios within the UK and lectured on various degree courses. His debut film for Channel 4, AKBAR’S CHEETAH, led to the opportunity to direct one of the acclaimed CANTERBURY TALES for s4c and the BBC, as a continuation of their Oscar nominated and Bafta winning series. All of Iain’s films have been screened at International Film Festivals, including Annecy, Edinburgh, Stuttgart and Hiroshima. Iain is the Animation programmer for the Edinburgh Film Festival team and is creating a new short film. www.iaingardner.co.uk
Eòghann MacColl (Sabhal Mor Ostaig Resident 08/09)
Based in Ayrshire, MacColl graduated from DJCA, Dundee with First Class honours in Fine Art Drawing & Painting. MacColl has exhibited across Scotland and beyond. In 2005 he won the Salvesen Printing and Travel Scholarship. He has led various educational projects in Ayrshire, the Highlands and Islands as a visual artist. Last year he was short-listed for the Sovereign European Art Prize. Currently he is the Gaelic Arts Officer for Culture & Sport Glasgow. He has three children with his wife Denise who works in Gaelic Medium Education in Ayrshire. www.dealbhadair.com
Jan Pottinger-Glass (RSA John Kinross Scholar 2008)
A graduate of the MFA programme at Edinburgh College of Art, Jan’s work involves the entering and exploration of liminal territory through an engagement with site, character, drawing, photography and sculptural practice.
Teresa Sciberras (RSA John Kinross Scholar 2008)
Teresa Sciberras was born Ibadan, Nigeria 1979, and brought up in Malta and Scotland. She has a degree in English Literature and Linguistics, University of Malta, 2001. In 2004 she moved to Scotland to study at Gray’s School of Art, Aberdeen, graduated in 2008 with a degree in Painting. Teresa exhibited in the first edition of RSA New Contemporaries 2009.
Ric Warren (RSA John Kinross Scholar 2008)
Ric Warren was born in Barnsley, Yorkshire, and now lives and works in Glasgow. He studied at Glasgow School of Art , graduating with a 1st Class degree in Environmental Art & Sculpture BA(hons). www.ricwarren.blogspot.com
www.ricwarrenresearch.blogspot.com
Jill Zhang (RSA John Kinross Scholar 2008)
Born in China in the 1960s, Jill Zhang’s previous profession was teaching English in China before coming to the UK. She relocated to Scotland 11 years ago, where she did a degree in Fine Art at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, and is now currently doing a Master Courses in Fine Art that will finish in Sept, 2009. She won the Ninewells Radiology Purchase Prize 2008. www.gejiuzhang.co.uk
For further information or images please contact:
Kirsty Dickson, Press Assistant, The Royal Scottish Academy on 0131 225 6671 or press@royalscottishacademy.org
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The Royal Scottish Academy is a charity registered in Scotland (No. SC004198)
Registered address: The RSA, The Mound, Edinburgh, EH2 2EL
