We’re pleased to launch a third round of micro-commissions, supported by the Friends of Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums.
We invite creative practitioners (artists, makers, musicians, dancers, designers, writers and performers) with an AB postcode to submit proposals that say something about their lived experience in Aberdeen, addressing themes that might include social justice, climate change, identity, diversity, representation, well-being and migration.
In today’s blog, Nicola Seal, ceramicist and Micro-Commissions Round 1 awardee shares her experience of applying, creating and being part of Micro-Commissions at Aberdeen Art Gallery.
To my delight and surprise, I won a micro commission in the first round. I’ve never done anything like this before and so I was feeling rather apprehensive. For the application itself, I used quite plain language and drew a sketch of my idea, with notes of explanation. I had had this idea in my head a while, and I thought it was a good one, so I just went for it.
I had set myself a technically challenging task, the sculpture I wanted to make was technically difficult to make (a thread-like hollow sphere). I decided to make a prototype, and then the final piece, using the prototype to practise and refine the technique.
I had to make about seven versions before I managed to make a sculpture that wouldn’t collapse and looked good. There were moments when I did a lot of swearing! I have always been dogged and persistent when I have an idea that I know can work though, so I just kept trying.
The team from Aberdeen Art Gallery had regular zoom meetings with me to see how I was progressing. This was helpful, as I could explain to them the process and what I had learned and how far along I’d got. They helped me identify somewhere to fire the finished piece as it was too big for my own kiln. The progress meetings were also helpful to me as I have ADHD, and working to deadlines is beneficial for me.
The Art Gallery team were good with communication and helped me write an artist’s statement. It felt really exciting to be part of a group of similar local artists, all being given the opportunity to have a piece in the Aberdeen Art Gallery’s permanent collection.
Delivering the final sculpture felt like a real achievement for me, and I was very proud seeing it on display in the exhibition. Standing next to a priceless artwork by a famous painter in the storage room whilst signing over my work felt a little surreal.
I am so pleased that they chose to spend the money from the Gallery’s success as a joint winner of Art Fund Museum of the Year 2020 in this way. I hope that the new round, funded by the Friends of Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums, can give other local artists a similar warm glow feeling.
About Aberdeen Art Gallery Micro-Commission Round 3
Aberdeen Art Gallery (Aberdeen City Council) ran two micro-commission schemes during 2020-2021, using award money received from winning the Art Fund Museum of the Year prize. We are thrilled to announce that generous funding from the Friends of Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums will support a further three rounds beginning in November 2022.
We use the term micro-commissions to set the scene for all involved – the finished works might be small scale, and the time spent developing and producing does not have to be long and drawn out - this is a chance for you to respond quickly to this opportunity.
