Student artists rise to the challenge embracing digital degree shows

This year’s annual showcase of final year art degree students at the University of the Highlands and Islands will display the work of fourteen artists, studying at Lews Castle College UHI, Moray School of Art part of Moray College UHI, Orkney College UHI and Shetland College UHI.

The online show featuring exhibits from the fine art and fine art textile students opens on Friday 11 June at 6pm and is on public display until Friday 9 July 2021.

Developed in collaboration with Art North magazine, the virtual exhibition brings together their work in various forms from installation to painting and video.

Stacey Toner, Curriculum Team Lead for creative industries and Programme Leader for Fine Art at the University of the Highlands and Islands said:

“There is so much to see and get excited about in this year’s show.  It pays testament to how we have all been pushed to be more mindful of the spaces and environments we inhabit from the global COVID-19 pandemic – from the walls we have been contained within, to the buildings, arenas, and galleries we have a thirst to frequent.

“Our students have explored this challenging time admirably and have created thought provoking work. The many variations of media used portrays the diverse way each student adapted to create their work with the facilities, materials, and opportunities within their reach.  

“Through the experience, I believe our students, and staff, have been thankful to be able to continue with their studies and found the creative journey liberating over the course of the year.” 

Talking about the experience of continuing her studies with the university remotely when she returned to her home country of Slovakia last March during border closures and stringent quarantine measures, Rachel Jutková said:

"This was an interesting opportunity to fully expend real-life limitations and apply them to my creative practice. Artists often put restrictions on their work - using only a few colours, materials or working on a certain scale – this is an approach I began to explore when I thought about the reality we currently live in.” 

Talking about the graduating students and the future for visual arts in the region, Ian McKay, Editor of Art North Magazine said:    

“What strikes me about many of those graduating from the University of the Highlands and Islands in 2021 is the high calibre of so much of the work.

“What excites me about this group of students is the certainty that many of them are already making work of such high quality that they will be names that we encounter again as they carve out a place for themselves as professional artists.”

To find out how to visit the exhibition and find out more about the artists visit www.artnorth-magazine.com from the 11 June 2021.