Sound and performance artist Maja Zećo is Aberdeen Art Gallery’s first artist-in-residence following the Gallery’s landmark redevelopment.
Maja Zećo is an interdisciplinary artist who creates immersive art through performance, sound art, video and installation. Born in Sarajevo and resident in Aberdeen, in 2019 Zećo was awarded a PhD from Gray's School of Art, Robert Gordon University in collaboration with the Music Programme of the University of Aberdeen
Maja was selected from an open call for proposals in late 2019 from makers and designers living and working in AB postcode areas. The residency opportunity is intended to enable the artist to draw on Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums’ collections to carry out research, learn new skills and create new work.
This first residency should have taken place at Aberdeen Art Gallery in spring 2020, but was postponed when the Gallery closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Ongoing restrictions mean that Maja’s residency is taking place mainly online in April and May, and she will share her progress through social media, online talks and discussions.
During her time as Artist-in-Residence, Maja will create new works inspired by two artworks on display in Aberdeen Art Gallery. ‘Meditation’ by Barbara Hepworth and ‘Eastre, Hymn to the Sun’ by JD Fergusson will be a focus for Maja’s engagement with the outdoors and new imaginings about the future, in a spirit of hope and recovery from Covid-19. Local residents may catch a glimpse of shimmering gold inspired by the artwork Eastre, as Maja performs on the beach and in the city’s parks in the coming days and weeks.
Aspects of Maja’s work are currently being supported by Arts organisation All In Ideas at their studio and project facility The Anatomy Rooms. All In Ideas vision is always to be proactive in encouraging and supporting artistic freedom of expression vital to professional and creative development of individual practitioners and the wider cultural sector of Aberdeen.
The residency was documented with the help of Élodie Baldwin.
In Search of the Sun
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Saxon goddess of Spring inspires Aberdeen Art Gallery’s first artist-in-residence
