Art Gallery micro commissions awarded to local artists
Friends of Aberdeen Art Gallery have selected three local artists to receive micro commissions for creating works that reflect the city's art and history collections.
Aberdeen Art Gallery and Friends of Aberdeen Art Gallery have announced the three local artists who will receive funding for micro commissions. The call for proposals was open to creatives residing in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. The objective was to create new works that respond to Aberdeen’s exceptional art and history collection.
The applicants were requested to share their experiences in Aberdeen, focusing on themes such as diversity, social justice, climate change, representation, identity, well-being, and migration. The commissioned artists will work with the Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums’ collection and curatorial specialists. They can also exhibit their works through public talks, events, performances, workshops, and displays.
The artists awarded micro-commissions
Amy Benzie: Amy is a ceramic maker from Torry, Aberdeen, who finds inspiration in the interplay between art and science. She plans to explore local knowledge and traditional healing practices of the North East. And to create a collection of ceramics that reflect these themes.
Clive Ramage: A self-taught artist, Clive is known for his unique paintings and hand-made prints. He will create a triptych of prints inspired by the John Piper painting of Dunnottar Castle. He’ll explore the theme of disintegration and how it can lead to creating something beautiful.
Helen Scaife: Helen is a painter and performance artist who intends to create a mixed-media painting that addresses global and local issues related to climate change. Her painting will be based on the setting of Aberdeen harbour. She has been inspired by the artwork Paddle Steamer ‘Sovereign’ Entering Aberdeen Harbour in the gallery collection.
Supported by the Friends of Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums
The completed pieces could be small-scale, and the development and production process need not be extensive. The Aberdeen City Council will preserve the artworks, which could also become a permanent part of the collection.
This is the third round of micro-commissions sponsored by the Art Gallery and the first one supported by the Friends of Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums. The Gallery received funding as a joint winner of Art Fund Museum of the Year in 2020. This is what led to the program’s creation.
Michael Richardson, Chair of the Friends of Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums, said: “The Friends are very proud of the support they have provided for the development of Aberdeen’s superb collection since the group was established in 1975. Over the years we have supported new acquisitions, conservation work and a large-scale site-specific commission for the Art Gallery during the redevelopment project.
“I’m delighted that we are now supporting the micro-commissions programme, which has become an in important source of support for local artists. Anyone who is interested in finding out more about the Friends of Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums can come along and meet some of us during our next Friends’ Weekend at the Gallery on 15 and 16 April.”
