New Art Commissions to Celebrate Aberdeen’s Creative Spirit

Aberdeen Art Gallery has commissioned three North East artists to create original works inspired by the region’s culture and heritage. These Micro-commissions focus on themes of energy, environment, identity, and representation. The resulting pieces will become part of the gallery’s permanent collection.

This year’s recipients include Mary Bourne, a sculptor whose work examines how wind power reshapes our landscapes and communities. Her proposal draws from her experience creating public art across Scotland and her recent election as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Sculptors.

Aberdeen-based multidisciplinary artist Joshua Ekekwe will explore cultural identity with a series of bold portraits, using sports day as a metaphor for navigating dual heritages. His playful and reflective art style promises a deeply personal take on themes of community and belonging.

Bruce Swanson, an artist and jewellery maker, will craft a piece celebrating Aberdeen’s historical role as a hub of North Sea trade. Blending ancient techniques with modern methods, his jewellery will explore the city’s deep-rooted connection to commerce and the sea.

The Micro-commissions programme was introduced after Aberdeen Art Gallery won the Art Fund Museum of the Year in 2020. It continues to benefit local artists, with funding from the Friends of Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums. A record number of submissions were received in 2024, showcasing the depth of creativity across the region.

Gallery visitors can view pieces from previous recipients in Gallery 15. Highlights include Helen Scaife’s Rising Pillars of Aberdeen, which addresses the impact of climate change, and Clive Ramage’s Transformation and Anticipation, which offers an optimistic vision for the city’s future.

Aberdeen’s Micro-commissions support local artists and encourage the community to reflect on its evolving identity through creative expression. They bring fresh perspectives to the city’s rich cultural narrative.