You’ve heard it all before of course.

As a reader of a catalogue introduction it may be that you expect to hear about the broad and diverse approaches to making work that result when an arbitrary group of people exhibit together, but then, perhaps that goes without saying. I might refer to the differing backgrounds and life experiences as a way of introducing the various social and cultural forces that contribute to the shaping of their fine art practices but you’ve probably figured that out already too. I’d also like to detail a list about creativity, commitment, energy, humour, passion, insight and perception - all of which are to be found in the work of this group of young artists – but there’s too little space to really do this justice. Having worked closely with this group for the last two years, I actually think it’s more appropriate simply to suggest that you look with care at the work and enjoy what it generously sets out to share.

Jim HamlynSubject LeaderPhotographic & Electronic MediaGray’s School of Art, Aberdeen

November 2008

Introd

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Sophia Morton

Emma Clifford

Kelly Duncan

Mia Delnevo

“If you reveal your secrets to the wind,you should not blame the windfor revealing them to the trees.”

Secrets are what make us who we are - everything about ourselves is concealed until we choose to reveal it.

The life experiences we have and the information we learn are what contribute to our personalities in the here and now. This information shapes us and can define and control the person we become.

When the secrets we keep become too much to cope with we can find ourselves vulnerable and so lose control.

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“Show me and I’ll forgetTell me and I may remember

Involve me and I’ll understand.”

In her latest project, Emma Clifford examines the physical, emotional and social impacts of secrecy and the confessional. It is not the secrets themselves that fuels the work in this exhibition but the tools that we use in order to release our secrets; diaries, cameras, childhood hidey-holes and other such objects that bear witness to our intimate thoughts and actions. Her work encourages individuals to engage with the concept through interaction, allowing them to draw on personal experiences and creating a mutual understanding between artist and audience.

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“Temptation is the fire that brings upthe scum of the heart.”

William Shakespeare

In this project Kelly Duncan looks into Tempation, Addiction and Obsession. Her own personal conflict about her obsession with fashion photography is shown through these images as she mimics and plays with how the fashion industry glamorizies addiction and unhealthy ideas/lifestyles. Her love for working with people has allowed the vast variety of images showing drug addictions to every day obsessivebehaviour.

Kelly pulls her inspiration from a range of artists including Helmut Newton, Nan Goldin and David La Chapelle.

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“What matter where, if I be the same,And what I should be, all but less than hee

Whom thunder hath made greater?Here at least we shall be free.”

John Milton, Paradise Lost

In the 17th Century John Milton’s epic, “Paradise Lost” was considered to be a radical reactionary poem that dealt with the controversial political issues of the time. In the 21st Century, the relevance of “Paradise Lost” can be considered somewhat insignificant. This is partially because of the techniques in prose, the old English, and because 21st Century society considers itself to be leagues ahead of its 17th century counterpart. However, when the metaphors and themes of “Paradise Lost” are re-contextualised and visualised in the 21st Century Language of Photography- it becomes apparent that its message is still extremely relevant today.

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Philip Reid

Heather Stewart

Fiona Jackson

“If you want to see what children can do,you must stop giving them things.”

Norman Douglas

Philip’s previous works have utilised photography and film to consider topics ranging from identity to the Youtube generation.

His most recent work, ‘Ages 3 & Up’, is an ongoing project exploring various aspects of modern childhood. Brand new toys and those long forgotten, as well as children’s television, are all brought together through traditional and contemporary media to investigate notions of consumerism and ‘pester power’. The pressures to grow up that children in society are presently said to feel are examined through recontextualised childhood imagery.

While the pieces exhibited focus on childhood, the issues raised about our throwaway culture are very relevant to our lives, young or old.

Philip Re

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‘Home is where the heart is.’

If the above statement is true then perhaps this is why the relationship we share with our family is one of the most complex we will ever come to know.

Heather Stewart has been working with these ideas of the home environment since beginning her studies at Gray’s School of Art in 2006. Whilst much of her earlier work has been concerned with the effect of change upon a family and its structure, she is now beginning to explore the effects of the daily strains and tensions felt between family members.

These new works hope to touch on the unspoken bond that keeps a family together, despite the often heightened pressure felt within its web of emotions, rivalries and secrets.

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Art has been used for many years as a means of therapy. It is highly recognised for its beneficial qualities, allowing the recipient to express emotions, engage in a worthwhile activity and gain a sense of achievement.

Fiona Jackson’s work looks in to the relevance of art therapy in today’s contemporary art scene. She explores the complex links between childhood and adult fears, self expression and art therapy.

“The art process can reveal both the inner world of the child and his or her experiences of the outer world.”

Working With Children In Art Therapy

Fellow artists, members of the public and children from Fife Council’s ‘Out of School Clubs’ have participated in her exploration ofexpression through art.

Fiona

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kson

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Catherine Weir

Scott Forrest

Lindsay Whorley

Iain Lee

“Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road”Green Day, Good Riddance

A turning point is a defining moment in life; when it can either continue on its current path or forge a new one. These moments, and the endless possibilities they represent, are of fascination to Catherine and she attempts to express this in her film works.

In the past she made the short film Panacea, which explored the idea of change using the story of a pill with the power to completely alter a person’s life. Despite being a purely fictional scenario, Panacea laid the foundations for her new work Dilemma.

Unlike Panacea, Dilemma uses a real life situation to look at one of those turning points in greater depth. It deals not only with the concept of change, but how the obstacles of personal fear and the influence of others can be overcome in making a decision.

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Scott Forrest is a student from Aberdeenwith a keen interest in cinema.

In the past he has produced a range of photographic work and made short films in genres including film Noir. He has also been working outside of university on films including western project Silver Streets.

For this exhibition, he has engaged with the subject of war and the various effects it has on the mind of a soldier. The results of which include photographic pieces detailing war in Aberdeen and a video piece.

Solid Storm is a short film telling the story of David, a highly skilled soldier who fought in the first Gulf war and is being considered for a new position in a US Special Forces group. Moving between the interview (or interrogation) and the events of the final days of the Gulf war, the film explores the effects of the incident on David, specifically the point at which he became a killer, and how he has dealt with that change.

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Does the way we dress, the music we listen to and where we work define who we are?

Lindsay has been looking closely at society and culture, drawing much of her inspiration from personal experiences. She has a keen interest in portraiture, specifically appearance and character. She enjoys the use of humour, playfulness and self deprecation in her work.

John Doe/Jane Doe is a lighthearted take on issues of identity and society’s tendency tocategorize and stereotype people.

‘Gagged’ attempts to illustrate how the voice of a supermarket employee is often subdued by the corporate pressure to keeping up appearances.

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Truth in Technicolor

It is said that poetry does not reveal anything new to the reader, instead it is meant to present something which is known but in a new and different manner to which the reader would have initially expected.

Robert Pinsky states, “If a poem is written well, it was written with the poet’s voice and for a voice. Reading a poem silently instead of saying a poem is like the difference between staring at sheet music and actually humming or playing the music on an instrument.”

With this in mind the film attempts to merge together two evocative mediums into one solid entity. Where image and spoken word compliment each other the result is a new found perspective on thoughts and experiences.

The poem discusses ideas of disillusionment with modern society and the consequential internal conflicts. It tells of uncertainty and the trials and trivialization of life in present day life.

Iain Le

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with thanks to...• The Academy Shopping Centre for hosting our exhibition

• The GatehouseDesign and Print Consultancyfor advice and assistance during production of this exhibition catalogue

• The Photographic and Electronic Media course staff at Gray’s School of ArtJim Hamlyn, Andy Kennedy, Judy Spark, Stuart Johnstone, Anne Campbell,Fraser Denholm and John Welsh

• Cellar 35 for providing us with the use of their venue for fundraising purposes

•Everyone that has helped with the projects exhibited at this show

All artists’ images copyright 2009