26 Jan – 22 Feb 2019
We are delighted to present our 2019 Annual Exhibition, ALIGHT, in the majestic upper galleries of the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh. We continue to put contemporary applied arts & design disciplines and their relationship with contemporary fine art at the heart of the debate in our upcoming annual exhibition, ALIGHT.
VAS explores the regions where art forms crossover, especially those between the fine and applied arts, showcasing work that demonstrates conceptual thinking and innovation, as well as outstanding design and craftsmanship in jewellery and silversmithing. This year we have created a platform for practitioners who explore and promote sustainability and ethical practices. We are particularly excited to announce that Ute Decker, (see images) a renowned pioneer in the field of ethical practice, will be exhibiting as an invited artist.
We are delighted once again to partner with Craft Scotland in the third of our planned series of media specific showcases inaugurated in 2016. Each year we will come together to shine a spotlight on craft and we will highlight a different craft discipline in each subsequent VAS annual exhibition. We will celebrate our mutual ambition to exhibit quality craft in a venue fitting of its stature, and in context alongside works of fine art. This year we explore how three different makers use wood in very different ways, differing in scale from the architectural to the sculptural, to the precious. Craft Scotland Celebrates: Wood (see images) explores the diverse work of three makers Beth Legg, Naomi McIntosh and Charlotte Barker; presented within and alongside Hirta, a modular structure which acts as a focus for discussion around materiality, design and making.
The inches Carr Mentoring Award, which is open to early to mid career makers, looking to advance their practice in conjunction with a mentor. In 2019 we will present work developed by Ffion Blench as a result of the inaugural award in 2018, along with a showcase of the short listed entries for the 2019 prize.
Having hand picked a selection of the hottest emerging talents over the summer months, we have whittled a shortlist of eighteen artists down to just a handful of what we consider to be the rising stars in Scottish art for the Graduate Showcase 2019, generously supported once again by the Russel Trust. They are Daniel Craddock, Niklas Gustaffson, Jack Handscombe, Erin McQuarrie, Ailsa Morrant & Marcus Murison. (see images)
Lastly, the open submission offers the distinct opportunity for emerging and established contemporary artists, designers and craft makers, members and non-members to showcase new and unseen work in Scotland’s flagship exhibiting venue. Diversity is as always at the heart of our curatorial vision.