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2005 RSA ALASTAIR SALVESEN SCHOLAR ANNOUNCED

David proposes to follow in the footsteps of Hermes Trismegistus, the alleged teacher of the magical system known as Hermetism of which high magic and alchemy are thought to be twin branches. 'This journey represents the dissemination of ancient alchemical knowledge from Egypt, through the Middle East and into Europe, in order to explore the transforming effects of modern development brought about by technologies such as nuclear development and global communications. Without staying in one place for any length of time, this huge journey should provide a range of encounters with cultures undergoing transformation, nations being born and people adapting to new ways of life amid their ancient heritage. It is a journey of transformation.' David Martin

His epic itinerary is planned as follows:
Egypt (1 month) Taking in Cairo, Luxor, Alexandria, Eastern Desert and Sinai.
This will include mosques, cultural sites, Nuclear Research Centres and mining and mineralism for nuclear processing in the Eastern Desert among other things.
Jordan & Syria Various site visits as he travels through these countries on to
Turkey (1 month) Taking in Istanbul: Byzantine & Ottoman legacy, Hagia Sofia, The Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, among other sites as well as the beautiful mosques of Edirne.
Bulgaria (1 month) Travels overland via the small towns on to the Roman ruins and mosques at Plovdiv, then onto Veliko Tarnovo and around Sofia.
Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia & Montenegro Various site visits through the Balkan States and then onto Hungary, Budapest, his final destination.

Scholarship donors Alastair and Elizabeth Salvesen, along with the rest of the selection committee: Douglas Connell, Joint Senior Partner of Turcan Connell, printmaker Eddie Summerton RSA, Philip Archer, Head of Leith School of Art and Colin Greenslade, RSA Exhibitions Coordinator were all present to select the recipient of the scholarship.
"The judging panel were very encouraged about the work which David presented for consideration by the panel. We were encouraged by David's enthusiasm for his planned trip from Cairo, through Istanbul to Budapest and are very excited about what he intends to do and see there. We are very pleased that David will come back with fresh ideas and create an exhibition of superb quality for the programme at the Royal Scottish Academy."
Alastair Salvesen

David (age 30) is based in Edinburgh and graduated with an MA Fine Art from the University of Edinburgh in 2000. He was also the recipient of the RSA John Kinross Student Scholarship to Florence in 2001. He lectures in Drawing & Painting and History of Art at The Leith School of Art and Dundee College and had a painting selectedcurrently has a painting in the BP Portrait Award Exhibition in The National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh.

The other two finalists interviewed were:
Kirsty Whiten - Edinburgh (Studied at Edinburgh College of Art)
Heather Mann - Glasgow - (Studied at Duncan of Jordanstone, Dundee)

About the RSA Alastair Salvesen Art Scholarship
Alastair Salvesen, from Pathhead, Midlothian, is one of Scotland’s foremost art benefactors. Presented in association with the Royal Scottish Academy, it is the largest independent travel scholarship in Scotland. The award of up to £10,000 has been offered to artists since 1989 and is intended to fund travel for three to six months. The scholarship is also complimented by a solo exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy. Offered as a major initiative to encourage and assist young painters who have already made the transition from college to professional practise, this travelling scholarship enables the artist to travel anywhere in the world and to form new experiences, new ideas and face new challenges. The impact of this travel experience reaches further than just a passing influence. For some, the experience has changed their working method entirely.

Previous Scholars include Eddie Summerton, Pa

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	2005 RSA ALASTAIR SALVESEN SCHOLAR ANNOUNCED

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	David proposes to follow in the footsteps of Hermes Trismegistus, the alleged teacher of the magical system known as Hermetism of which high magic and alchemy are thought to be twin branches. 'This journey represents the dissemination of ancient alchemical knowledge from Egypt, through the Middle East and into Europe, in order to explore the transforming effects of modern development brought about by technologies such as nuclear development and global communications. Without staying in one place for any length of time, this huge journey should provide a range of encounters with cultures undergoing transformation, nations being born and people adapting to new ways of life amid their ancient heritage. It is a journey of transformation.' David Martin His epic itinerary is planned as follows: Egypt (1 month) Taking in Cairo, Luxor, Alexandria, Eastern Desert and Sinai. This will include mosques, cultural sites, Nuclear Research Centres and mining and mineralism for nuclear processing in the Eastern Desert among other things. Jordan & Syria Various site visits as he travels through these countries on to Turkey (1 month) Taking in Istanbul: Byzantine & Ottoman legacy, Hagia Sofia, The Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, among other sites as well as the beautiful mosques of Edirne. Bulgaria (1 month) Travels overland via the small towns on to the Roman ruins and mosques at Plovdiv, then onto Veliko Tarnovo and around Sofia. Macedonia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia & Montenegro Various site visits through the Balkan States and then onto Hungary, Budapest, his final destination. Scholarship donors Alastair and Elizabeth Salvesen, along with the rest of the selection committee: Douglas Connell, Joint Senior Partner of Turcan Connell, printmaker Eddie Summerton RSA, Philip Archer, Head of Leith School of Art and Colin Greenslade, RSA Exhibitions Coordinator were all present to select the recipient of the scholarship. "The judging panel were very encouraged about the work which David presented for consideration by the panel. We were encouraged by David's enthusiasm for his planned trip from Cairo, through Istanbul to Budapest and are very excited about what he intends to do and see there. We are very pleased that David will come back with fresh ideas and create an exhibition of superb quality for the programme at the Royal Scottish Academy." Alastair Salvesen David (age 30) is based in Edinburgh and graduated with an MA Fine Art from the University of Edinburgh in 2000. He was also the recipient of the RSA John Kinross Student Scholarship to Florence in 2001. He lectures in Drawing & Painting and History of Art at The Leith School of Art and Dundee College and had a painting selectedcurrently has a painting in the BP Portrait Award Exhibition in The National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh. The other two finalists interviewed were: Kirsty Whiten - Edinburgh (Studied at Edinburgh College of Art) Heather Mann - Glasgow - (Studied at Duncan of Jordanstone, Dundee) About the RSA Alastair Salvesen Art Scholarship Alastair Salvesen, from Pathhead, Midlothian, is one of Scotland’s foremost art benefactors. Presented in association with the Royal Scottish Academy, it is the largest independent travel scholarship in Scotland. The award of up to £10,000 has been offered to artists since 1989 and is intended to fund travel for three to six months. The scholarship is also complimented by a solo exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy. Offered as a major initiative to encourage and assist young painters who have already made the transition from college to professional practise, this travelling scholarship enables the artist to travel anywhere in the world and to form new experiences, new ideas and face new challenges. The impact of this travel experience reaches further than just a passing influence. For some, the experience has changed their working method entirely. Previous Scholars include Eddie Summerton, Pa Web Link: