We’re pleased to announce that four local artists will benefit from funding for commissions awarded by Aberdeen Art Gallery and the Friends of Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums.
In September, Aberdeen Art Gallery invited local artists and makers to submit proposals for a series of ‘micro-commissions’ inspired by Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums’ collections of art and history, or highlight gaps within the current collection. Applicants were asked to respond to one of our two current collecting priorities. These are ‘energy, environment, the local economy’ and ‘identity and representation’.
The finished works could be small-scale, and the time spent developing and producing need not be long and drawn-out. The resulting artworks will be cared for by Aberdeen City Council and may become part of the permanent collection.
This is the fourth round of micro-commissions to be offered by the Art Gallery and the second to be generously supported by the Friends of Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums. The programme was established with funding awarded to the Gallery as a joint winner of Art Fund Museum of the Year in 2020.
The recipients of this third round of micro-commission awards are:
CUSP (£2,500 commission)
CUSP are a collaborative duo based in Aberdeen made up of artists Pheobe Banks and Jess Wilson-Leigh. They currently share a studio at Holburn House, one of the many empty office spaces in the city that are now being utilised by artists. CUSP would like to expand on their View of Aberdeen, exploring artists’ studio spaces across the city. Interested in this transition time in Aberdeen’s history, they aim to have a large work that shows many small moments of intimacy through the spaces artists are using as studios.
Daisy Williamson (£1,000)
Daisy is an artist based in Huntly who uses tapestry weaving as a way of suspending imagery. Responding to Penelope and the Suitors by John William Waterhouse, Daisy will symbolically ‘unpick’ some of her weavings to emulate Penelope’s famous deception. The unpicking in Daisy’s work will symbolise species at the edge of extinction, whom without human interference will soon be missing from our landscapes. By linking Penelope’s clever use of unpicking her weaving to bide her time as she waited for Odysseus to return from Troy, Daisy wants to emphasise that we cannot bide our time when protecting nature.
Flying Lion (£1,000)
Flying Lion’s practice involves digitally manipulating pictures of Aberdeen City. Their recognisable city scenes become creatures before our very eyes. Flying Lion will use the award to develop a new kind of beast, that defies the ‘terrifying’ qualities mythical animals are often associated with. This mystical being will be made from the city’s wind turbines and e-bikes, representing Aberdeen’s change to renewable energy.
Councillor Martin Greig, Aberdeen City Council’s culture spokesperson said: “The micro-commissions are an excellent way to support contemporary arts practice in our area. The artists who have taken part have created exciting work which interprets the world around us in imaginative ways. It's great to see their projects which have been inspired by Aberdeen’s museum and gallery collections. The continuing help from the Friends of Aberdeen Art Gallery is greatly appreciated. They are making a real difference in their support for local cultural expression."
Rosemary Kaye of the Friends of Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums said: “The Friends are very happy to support the micro-commissions programme as part of their commitment to artists in North East Scotland. I had the privilege of participating in the latest selection process, and was greatly impressed by the standard and scope of the submissions.
This is such an important opportunity for artists and makers, especially at a time when funding and mentoring are so hard to find. The Friends encourage anyone who is interested in this programme to apply next time.”