Information Bulletin
25 April 2005
Launch of the Shetland Contemporary Art Collection
The Shetland Contemporary Art Collection will be launched at a public exhibition on Friday 6 May 2005 at Busta House Hotel, Brae. Everyone interested is invited to attend. Wine and light refreshments will be served from 6pm to 8pm.
The Shetland Contemporary Art Collection is a new collection of 25 art works, purchased in June 2004 with funding from the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Executive. The purpose of the Shetland Contemporary Art Collection is to bring a wider appreciation, enjoyment and understanding of contemporary art to people in Shetland, especially young people.
Jim Johnston, Fellow of the Scottish Royal Academy of Art, and instigator of the idea of a Shetland Contemporary Art Collection, explains
“It is the aim of the committee charged with organising the Shetland Contemporary Art Collection to have a piece of contemporary art on display in all Shetland schools, and in a variety of Shetland businesses. It is planned that the works will be displayed on a rotational basis, changing every term. There will be a statement by the artist accompanying every piece on display”.
The inaugural collection, which will be exhibited at Busta House Hotel, consists of the work of sixteen young artists who come from all over Scotland and who graduated from the Edinburgh Arts College and Glasgow School of Art in 2004. They include Zillah Tai Green, Rachael MacArthur, Lisa Mellis, Tian Miller, James Stuart Newman and Kirsten Simonsen. Their work consists of paintings, prints, photographs and sculpture.
The collection contains a great diversity of technique, medium and size. However, in this exciting variety there is an overall feel of youthful energy, enthusiasm and possibilities.
The works range from large dark atmospheric stretched canvasses to small glass sculpture. Also included are colourful geometric abstracts, thought provoking social commentary and some confident monochromatic landscapes.
These are really pleasing works from talented and promising young artists at the beginning of their careers.
Noelle Henderson, Creative Links Officer in Education, Community Services Department commented
“The Shetland Contemporary Art Collection will be a positive and exciting addition to the visual arts in Shetland, complementing other schemes such as artists in residence in schools. Viewing good contemporary art encourages students who are studying art themselves”.
Jim Johnston expresses the belief that, with business partnership, this will be the beginning of a growing public contemporary collection. Those who have visited Whalsay School, where Jim Johnston is Head Teacher, will know how central art is in that school environment. Jim places strong emphasis on the importance of art both in a learning environment and in the community.
After the Busta House exhibition, works in the collection will be dispersed to participating schools and businesses. This will be the only time the collection will be seen as a whole.
What |
Shetland Contemporary Art Collection Exhibition |
Where |
Busta House Hotel, Brae |
When |
Friday 6 May 2005 |
Time |
6pm – 8pm |
For further details contact:
Noelle Henderson
Creative Links Officer
01595 744013
or
Jim Johnston
Head Teacher
Whalsay School
01595 743800
ENDS