Art degree shows return bit by bit
A first of its kind for the Isle of Lewis sees An Lanntair welcome Mìr air Mhìr (Bit by Bit) – a collaborative exhibition featuring the works of 11 art school graduates from the Western Isles, writes Sandy Neil.
Due to the global pandemic, degree shows in universities across Scotland during 2020 and 2021 were cancelled, leaving students unable to physically present their years of work to the world.
In response, these island students have returned home to showcase and celebrate their final year’s work with their own degree show, Mìr air Mhìr.
Artist Eilidh Mairi Macleod said: 'Back in May, Mìr air
Mhìr was an ambitious idea that has now been brought to life by 11 young creatives from the Isle of Lewis.
'Our motivations behind this exhibition come from our loss of opportunity due to the current pandemic. Having this shared loss amongst the group has generated a powerful team that has co-created Mìr air Mhìr.
This exhibition is our chance to showcase our crafted work to our family, friends, and community.'
Opening in An Lanntair’s main gallery, Mìr air Mhìr provides a space for the islands' art students, who have studied across Scotland, specialising in various disciplines, to present their final pieces to their community.
The Mìr air Mhìr Exhibition Opening – taking place at 5pm on Friday August 27– will be the first public opening An Lanntair has held in over a year.
And An Lanntair also welcomes a selection of the graduate exhibitors to present an Artists' Talk on Thursday September 2, 7pm, where they will each discuss their work, studies, and collaboration in Mìr air Mhìr.
Head of Visual Arts and Literature at An Lanntair Roddy Murray said: 'The past year has been a frustrating and demoralising time to be in further education. Epitomised in the art schools by the cancellation of the degree shows; the culmination of four years' hard work. So, it’s been rewarding for us to be able to provide an alternative and showcase these 11 young graduates at An Lanntair, to ensure that their work is recognised and audiences get an insight into the remarkable levels of innovation and creativity they have achieved.'
Artists featuring in Mìr air Mhìr are Megan DaviesSmith (three-dimensional design); Catherine Macdonald (fashion and textile design), and Bronwyn MacKenzie (painting), who all studied at Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen.
Students from Glasgow School of Art exhibiting are Danielle Macleod (commu
nication design/photography); Rachel Kate Macleod (communication design/ graphic design), and Sian Mackay (product design).
And from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art will be Eilidh Mairi Macleod (product design); Freya Macleod (interior and environmental design), and John Miller (product design).
Rounding off the band of upcoming island talent exhibiting in Mìr air Mhìr are Ross Mactaggart, who studied computer graphics and animation at Robert Gordon University; and Lorna Scanlan, who completed architecture at the University of Dundee.