Seizing the chance of a lifetime

A Dundee student is taking part in a culture swap at the world-famous Venice Art Biennale, as Caroline Lindsay discovers

Aunique project has given a student from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design the chance to take part in the Venice Art Biennale.

The Scotland + Venice Professional Development Programme (PDP) has enabled 17 individuals from across Scotland to travel to Venice and work at the Scotland + Venice exhibition of new artwork by Scottish artist and 2018 Turner Prize winner Charlotte Prodger. The project is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to develop an international network of contacts and gain valuable paid professional experience in one of the world’s biggest and most prestigious contemporary visual arts festivals.

Katheryne Morrison from Blairgowrie has just finished her third year studying fine art at Duncan of Jordanstone.

“It’s been a great year where we have been exploring the ways in which art can be made more accessible to a public audience,” says Katheryne.

“Third years at the college were given the opportunity to apply to the Scotland + Venice PDP and I jumped at the chance. It’s been an incredible process.”

The lead project partner for Scotland + Venice is international artists’ residency centre Cover Park, based in Argyll and Bute. Associate director Alexia Holt explains: “We have organised an exhibition of a major new video work, SaF05, by Charlotte Prodger, being shown in a former Venetian boatyard known as Arsenale Docks until November 24.”

Katheryne, who is currently in Venice along with DJCAD colleague Kaya Fraser, admits she was apprehensive about meeting Charlotte, though her fears soon proved to be unfounded.

“I think we were all a bit nervous to

meet her, especially as she won the Turner Prize,” says Katheryne. “But she is a wonderful person and artist who put us all at ease. She’s been utterly fantastic to work with and so kind to all the students on the programme and altogether surpassed any expectations I could have formed about working with such a successful artist,” she said.

Katheryne is appreciative of the chance she has been given.

“I’m thoroughly enjoying my time in Venice already. The Biennale is like a massive melting pot of the art world and I feel like I’ve learned a lot. I’ve never been to an event of this scale and seeing how the project team have handled and taken care of the venue to give the best viewing experience is something I will definitely take with me for the rest of my art career. It’s been incredible to see the time and care they have put in.”

The international audiences that go to see the exhibition in Venice will have the opportunity to hear from Katheryne about the DCA, V&A Dundee and Dundee University’s Cooper Gallery.

“Dundee is already on the map as a world-class place to study and engage in art. Scotland + Venice provides access to a remarkable exhibition environment that is beyond many students’ professional or financial means.”

Third years at the college were given the opportunity to apply to the Scotland + Venice PDP and I jumped at the chance.