creativity UNLOCKED
Class of 2021: artwork by Tina Minal.
Ten local art and design graduates have been given the opportunity to showcase their work for the first time since Covid-19 hit.
UNLOCKED is a new exhibition taking over the Tolbooth gallery until Tuesday 27th July.
Contemporary artist Jacqueline Scorgie, who works under the name Jacque, said: “This is the first time students of both the BA Art and Design and Honours Art and Design have been able to exhibit their work to an in person audience since the pandemic began.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for us all to showcase our work and be discovered by new audiences of all ages.”
Jacque added: “UNLOCKED has multiple interpretations: being allowed out and about after so long in lockdown, our creativity unleashed and ready to be shown and shared. Also new ideas that brewed through this time, can now come to life within the gallery space.”
The exhibition will showcase a mixture of traditional and digital artworks by the class of 2021: Jacque, Annette Laing, Carolyn Fraser, Claire Laird, Hayle Bryce, Jenna Maclean, Kathrhona Lawson, Regina Nurney, Tina Minal and Tracy Dougall.
Regina Nurney, who is exhibiting a work in the form of a quilt, said: "Exhibiting work post Covid is like taking that first breath of fresh air after holding it for so long. Seeing my pieces together again is like seeing them for the first time."
Jenna Maclean, who is exhibiting paintings created during the lockdown, said: “I feel extremely satisfied knowing that exhibition spaces are coming back together. To finally be able to exhibit my work again is such a refreshing feeling.”
Hayley Bryce, who is exhibiting a two part work which combines both 2D and digital technology pieces that interrelate and correspond to each other, said: “This exhibition is an amazing opportunity to showcase all of our hard work from this year. I was so disappointed we didn’t get to have our normal exhibition, so getting the chance to be involved with this one is amazing!”
Meanwhile Tracy Dougall, who is exhibiting abstract paintings, added: “It is really exciting to be able to exhibit artwork with other students in a real live exhibition space and not online!”
UNLOCKED runs at the Tolbooth gallery until 27th July, Tuesday – Saturday, 10am-4pm.