Happy Hogmanay from all of us to all of you!
It’s that time of year again when we look back and reflect on the year gone by, as well as look to the year to ahead. Here are our best bits of 2023!
January
We rang in the New Year with the biennial Jerwood Art Fund Makers Open, showcasing the most exciting new work by early-career artists and makers based in the UK. Aberdeen Art Gallery was the project lead partner which gave us the opportunity to appoint a member of the team to the selection panel and establish a project curator from the team to work with and support the specially selected makers, curate the exhibition and organise the UK tour – developing our skills and knowledge along the way.
We were thrilled to be able to add three pieces by Jerwood Art Fund Makers Open artist Vicky Higginson to the collection ensuring we keep Aberdeen’s own art collection as one of the best contemporary art collections in the UK.
Coping Mechanism to hear things left unsaid, 2021. (detail). Commissioned for Jerwood Art Fund Makers Open. Photo Anna Arca.
February
In February, we welcomed back Spectra – Scotland’s festival of light to Aberdeen and the Art Gallery with the towering presence of Fantastic Planet by Australian artist Amanda Parer. That week we welcomed over 28,000 visitors through our doors. Spectra returns Thursday 8 - Sunday 11 February 2024 for their 10 year anniversary!
Fantastic Planet, Amanda Parer in Aberdeen Art Gallery
We also opened a small exhibition about an artist who has had a big impact on the gallery – James McBey: Shadows and Light. This co-curated exhibition between author and journalist Alasdair Soussi and Aberdeen Art Gallery marked the publication of the first ever biography of the celebrated Aberdeenshire-born artist.
“I couldn’t have written my biography of McBey without access to AAGM’s treasure trove of an archive…the collaboration produced a terrific public exhibition” Alistair Soussi, author of Shadows and the Light - The Extraordinary Life of James McBey (available in the gallery shop).
March
Round 3 of the micro-commissions winning artists Amy Benzie, Helen Scaife and Clive Ramage were announced. The programme supports artists local to Aberdeen to create new works inspired by our collection, while also responding to set themes. This year we asked artists to propose a response to climate change, the environment, and the future of Aberdeen. These micro-commissions were fully funded by the Friends of Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums.
The Last Testament of Alexander Jaffray showcased the acquisition by the Archive of this significant manuscript by Jaffray (1614-1673) the twice Provost of Aberdeen and subsequently a prominent Quaker who was persecuted for his faith. It was purchased with assistance from the National Fund for Acquisitions and the Friends of the National Libraries.
The testament of Alexander Jaffray
April
After swabbing the deck and hoisting the sails, we finally reopened the Maritime Museum to the public! We were so excited to SEA visitors again after being closed for some essential maintenance. We loved Fittie’s very own Harbour Voices Choir’s FINtastic performance!
Over at the Art Gallery, we were busy opening a new exhibition that highlighted spaces where creativity takes place – the artist studio, Where Ideas Are Born. The exhibition brought together images by 25 photographers from the celebrated Magnum Photos collective.
Front of House team being briefed on Where Ideas Are Born
May
You never know who is going to drop by… In May, Provost Skene’s House had a surprise visit from famous actor and presenter, Richard E Grant. Museum Assistants Karen and Joel had a great time showing Richard and his family around the historic building.
Museum Assistants Joel and Karen smiling with Richard E Grant at Provost Skene's House
Over the last year, we’ve been talking to people across the city about what Aberdeen means to them. In May, we opened a new exhibition sharing these view, and some of the artworks and objects that inspired them. View of Aberdeen is still open at Aberdeen Art Gallery! Whether you’re Aberdeen born and bred, live, work or study here, or are passing through on a visit, come and discover what gives the Granite City its grit and glint.
June
In June we grabbed our dookers and headed to the beach with a new exhibition at the Art Gallery. Making a Splash! A Century of Women’s Beachwear explores how seaside fashions have been influenced by social and political change, the Hollywood film industry and innovations in design and materials. Making a Splash! continues until Sunday 14 January.
Also in June, pupils from Northfield Academy created a new display called ‘What’s Your Treasure?’ at Aberdeen Treasure Hub. Working with local artist, Mhairi Allan, pupils explored what’s inside Aberdeen Treasure Hub, selecting items from the collection to inspire artistic responses that bring together their ideas about place, community and ‘treasure’.
Pride is also celebrated in the month of June. Our spaces are safe places!
July
Back by popular demand – Tea Green Market returned to the Art Gallery! Our beautiful venue was packed full of an inspiring showcase of independent creative businesses based all across Scotland.
Our Quentin Blake Summer kicked off in July with the opening of two exhibitions under one roof at the Art Gallery, celebrating the unique talent of Quentin Blake, the UK’s best-loved illustrator. Quentin Blake: Illustrating Verse brought together a selection of Blake's sketches and illustrations for the first time, from comic nonsense poems to poignant ballads by writers including Edward Lear, Michael Rosen and Roald Dahl, as well as Blake’s own popular rhyming picture book, 'Mr Magnolia'.
Quentin Blake: Book Covers demonstrated how Blake’s unmistakable and ever-popular style of illustration has been grabbing the attention of readers of all ages over the past 60 years. These were touring exhibitions from Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration.
Mr Magnolia by Quentin Blake (detail) © Quentin Blake
August
Hare, there and everywhere… in August Clan Cancer Support’s Big Hop Trail was in full swing, and we had 5 little leverets (baby hares) in Aberdeen Art Gallery! The hares were designed by local artists and local primary schools as part of the art trail which coincided with Clan’s 40th anniversary. When the trail ended, all of the hares went to auction and raised £202,600 for Clan Cancer Support!
the 5 little hares getting ready to leave the art gallery
September
September is Scottish Archaeology Month and we hosted our first hands-on history event in the Cowdray Hall. Visitors got hands on with the fascinating archaeology collections in the care of ourselves, Aberdeenshire Museums and the University of Aberdeen Museums and Special Collections. The day was jam-packed with short talks, demonstrations, looking at archaeological treasures and a chance to hold a piece of history. You can still listen to our Gather Round Podcast episode where history curators Jenny and Ross tell us about objects from Aberdeen City’s strong medieval collection which were showcased at the event!
Also in September, Aberdeen Art Gallery was awarded Best Visitor Attraction in Aberdeen City and Shire Thistle Awards! Judges commended the Art Gallery for its customer focussed approach and ensuring every visitor was welcomed with staff going out of their way to help. Go team!
Museum Supervisors Hollie and Danielle accepting the award on behalf of Aberdeen Art Gallery.
October
Our current special exhibition, Constructed Narratives: Lennox Dunbar, Ian Howard and Arthur Watson opened in October at the Art Gallery. The Aberdeen-born contemporaries attended Aberdeen Grammar School and as students were greatly influenced by weekly visits to the Art Gallery.
Since then, they have explored independent creative journeys but construction, whether physical or implied, is at the heart of each artist’s work. They use building, layering and installation in different ways to construct narratives – stories they want to share with us.
We were joined by Arthur Watson himself and some friends on opening weekend for an afternoon of social singing centred around Watson’s installation ‘Transmission/Transmitters’, where members of the public were encouraged to join in with the performance.
Constructed Narratives continues until Sunday 28 January at Aberdeen Art Gallery.
Arthur and Lennox in exhibition space with Ian Howard's work
November
Christmas came early to Aberdeen Art Gallery as Tea Green Market returned for the second time this year. It was the perfect way to kick off our Christmas shopping!
A new exhibition, presented by Aberdeen City Heritage Trust, opened at the Art Gallery all about granite. From ancient quarries to iconic buildings, this exhibition gives insights into how the Granite City earned its name. Sharing memories of locals who worked at the quarry and worked our local stone, Voices from the Granite Industry continues until Saturday 14 April 2024.
Polishing granite at J R Henderson’s, June 1978
December
As we wound down for our festive break, we opened our final new exhibition of 2023 – Celebrating Printmaking at Peacock.
We mark 50 years of printmaking at Peacock and its role in the cultural life of the North East with a special exhibition drawn from the Peacock Archive Collection, in the care of Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums. On display are iconic and vibrant works by founding members and artists, pioneering printmakers and influential teachers who established this important centre of contemporary printmaking in 1974. This exhibition continues until Sunday 12 May 2024.
We also announced Round 4 of micro-commissions winning artists CUSP, Daisy Williamson and Flying Lion were announced. This time, they were asked to respond to one of our two current collecting priorities - ‘energy, environment, the local economy’ and ‘identity and representation. For regular updates, watch this space! These micro-commissions were fully funded by the Friends of Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums.
Northern Enlightenment, 1986 (detail), Bob Bain © the artist
Thanks for all your visits, likes, comments and shares this year. Let’s do it all again in 2024!
