The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Degree Show 2018
Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Dundee May 19–27
This year’s DJCAD degree show is important for reasons big and small. It being the year of the grand opening of the V&A, some 300 talented students are preparing to graduate and set out into the world of work – hopefully finding themselves able to stay within the UK’s first UNESCO City of Design.
For 10 days, the 130-year-old school – that came top in the UK for design for the second year running – transforms into one of the country’s biggest galleries showcasing the fruits of its students’ creative labour.
For dean of DJCAD, Professor Paul Harris, there are personal reasons for 2018 being a landmark year. Having held positions at Edinburgh College of Art, Abertay University and Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen, Paul joined DJCAD in 2014. This means the students about to graduate started their courses during his first year.
“This is my proudest year,” Paul smiles. “I greeted them in their first year. l am looking at the degree show with them and then I will be calling their names as they cross the stage to get their degrees.
“One of the pleasures is to see the students come in as first-years – I guess, terrified of coming into the art school – and then they graduate four years later with confidence and are able to talk about their work and engage with people.”
Paul enjoyed a full walk round the show last week while assessments were taking place – the first time he was able to experience all the work as it will be seen by the public from tomorrow.
He says: “You walk into a studio which is now an exhibition space and you discover something you think is fantastic – you think ‘nothing’s going to beat that’ then you go next door!
“It’s really exciting and every year it’s different. The DJCAD degree show isn’t derivative – there’s no house style.
“You don’t know what you’re going to get, or what format it’s going to be in.
“We have some particularly beautiful large-scale paintings this year, which are fabulous in both technique and concept. And some of the design subjects in social digital where you can see in a few years’ time these people are going to be making profound changes to the world that we live in.”
From animation, fine art and jewellery and metal design to textiles, graphic design and architecture, Paul believes there will be something to suit all tastes: “Because there always is.”
He adds: “We’re not a stuffy place. It’s not a cathedral – you don’t have to lower your voice when you enter! We would encourage people to come and find something they like.”
Opening times: Mon – Fri, 10am – 8pm; Sat and Sun, 10am – 4pm. Entry is free.