Art students’ big showcase
First-class work at the exhibition
Students from West Lothian College have recently staged their first major exhibition.
The HNC Contemporary Art Practice Students held a show, entitled ‘re: CAP,’ – a collection of paintings, prints, photography, digital work, projection, video, sound, sculpture, installation and intervention work carried out during their studies. The exhibition took place at Gayfield Creative Spaces in Edinburgh from June 17 to 21.
The private viewing attracted around 150 guests including family, friends and senior West Lothian College representatives.
Mhairi Harrington, principal and chief executive for West Lothian College, performed the exhibition opening.
She said: “The standard of the students’ work was first class. I would like to give my sincere congratulations to all of the students, their lecturers and their supporters on the exhibition, everyone can be really proud of what has been achieved.”
The gallery was open to the public for general viewing with a steady flow of visitors over the five days.
Rona Wilson, HNC Contemporary Art Practice lecturer, explained: “This year has been the first real opportunity we have had to put together an exhibition at a top venue within the heart of Edinburgh.
“People have been commenting that the level of achievement, the variety of destinations and range of specialist areas that students will be moving onto at the art schools is impressive.
“The exhibition has been a wonderful success and our aim is to continue to embed this kind of quality learning experience in the future.”
Alex Harvey, HNC Contemporary Art Practice lecturer added: “The purpose of the exhibition was to celebrate the outstanding progression and achievements of our students as well as allowing them to gain experience curating their own show of contemporary art.
“The standard of work produced by our HNC Contemporary Art Practice students is always very high and it is a fitting testament to their educational journey with us at West Lothian College to display their work in a public gallery. Each student studying on the HNC Contemporary Art Practice course at West Lothian College this year has secured highly sought after places at the most prestigious art schools in Scotland and many students had multiple offers.”
One of the students, Izzy Hudson, said: “This course has given me a really sound knowledge of the art world and has set me on a path that I never imagined I could reach.
“I have had the chance to exhibit my work in a gallery and I am going to art school.”
Like many of her fellow students Izzy has a choice of art schools keen to take her bus he has chosen to study at her first choice destination, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee.
Another student, Robyn Mark, added: “The exhibition has been an amazing chance to showcase and present our work in a way that is really well suited to what we have created over the past year.
“As part of our studies we have also discovered a whole range of different artists and types of art making.”