So it's been a minute since the last Deen Scene, almost 4 months to be more precise. Although we've been slowly transitioning back to normality it still feels like we need to be cautious and as we heading into the Autumn even more so. That said the last 4 months has been filled with new art and music, from discovering things on line to real life in person events and mini festivals its been all go. As I like to do here is my own take on what's been good this past wee while, what's worth checking out and some shout outs to good people doing good things!
First up we have the Shared Collective Heritage project from Grampian Hospitals Art Trust who've been working hard to digitise and showcase their extensive archive of works, many of which have been on display in the corridors of hospitals across the North East. A walk through Aberdeen Royal Infirmary is always made that bit lighter thanks to the various artworks on display although more often than not I'm being pushed in a wheelchair along said corridors after twisting an ankle or some other silly injury. This issues header image is part of the GHAT collection, a lino print by Aberdeenshire artist Brian Angus showing a view of Fittie or Footdee for the posh folk. Volunteer Rosie Leavitt has been highlighting some of her favourite works from the collection on the GHAT facebook page and its been great to discover so many new works in the collection. Along with their online efforts the team also have works on show as part of their 'Shop Local' exhibition at the Suttie Art Space in the Royal Infirmary. I'm unsure if the gallery is open to the public yet but you can explore the works via the GHAT website here so there's no excuse not to check it out!
If you happen to be in Edinburgh then be sure to check out Kirsty Russell's work at the Edinburgh Art Festival as part of their 'Platform: 2021' showcase. Kirsty is showing alongside fellow artists Jessica Higgins, Danny Pagarani and Isabella Widger. Although most of her artworks are stationary objects they hint towards something performative where the viewer becomes an active part of the piece and I certainly want to break the longstanding art taboo and touch the art, it looks so soft! Hopefully we'll be able to see more of Kirstys work closer to home soon and if Edinburgh is too far for you then take a minute to check out more pieces on her website here and find out more about EAF here.
Painter Catherine Ross has a new exhibition opening on the 11th September at the Rendezvous Gallery in Aberdeens west end. Her most recent paintings will be on show at the gallery and in the windows for those of you afraid to step inside the Rendezvous. Indeed the shop reminds me of something from Gremlins, fully expect to find a mogwai hiding behind the expensive art deco furniture and John Byrne paintings but it is a cool spot. It's been a while since I've seen Catherine's work so ill look forward to checking it out in person. I filmed her back in 2015 speaking about her show at the Newave Gallery which you can check out here and keep in the loop via her instagram here.
The retrospective show at Peacock & The Worm continues exploring the work from the 'Aberdeen Peoples Press' a subversive and loose group of local activisits, writers and artists who produced various printed materials from the early 70's to mid 80's.
No sooner had Aberdeen Art Gallery re opened again and it was time to prepare for the big British Art Show 9 with Aberdeen having the envious position of being the first stop on its 4 city tour, continuing onto Plymouth, Wolverhampton and ending in Manchester next year. Although I was lucky to attend one of the opening events for the show as is often the case I didn't manage to take in everything, missing entire rooms it appears. But as with the degree show it requires multiple visits to fully take it all in and appreciate what the British Art Show means. With a strong focus on engaging communities and creating a legacy in the city it'll be good to see how this filters out with events like the graffiti paint jam at Sunnybank Park being one example of the Ambassadors programme where locals have been invited to help the show reach beyond the usual art gallery audience. Looking forward to getting back down for a proper visit as the show runs until 10th October 2021. More details here.
The Look Again Project Space is back with 'Crude' a mini group show curated by Fertile Ground. Featuring work from Ashanti Harris, Alison Scott & Shane Strachan, the event page reads "CRUDE is an exhibition exploring our complex relationship to crude oil which focuses on the sticky interplays of politics, culture and ecology through newly commissioned works from artists and writers; Ashanti Harris, Alison Scott, and Shane Strachan. The project has situated oil as an agent of transformation and invited the commissioned practitioners to think through the implications of oil’s ability to dominate all political, social and economic life the world over."
I spotted a post on someone's story about plastic cock rings that will outlive us due to their plastic nature, count me in! There's an extra event titled 'Energy Politics & Just Transition' planned for this Saturday (4th September) find sign up details here.
I'm getting through my Nuart Aberdeen roundups, taking the time to look back at the productions and interactions with the artists during this years mini festival. While the main artists have been and left their mark the team continues to add work for the 'Stuck Up' project which left me sifting through hundreds of artists work before embarking on a 3 day paste up missions at The Green with Adrian from Flying Leaps & bunny man Benjamin Irritant. We managed to get most of the works up but a few late arrivals mean we'll be continuing to add paste ups both at the green and around the city. You might have spotted the recent addition of Pat Butcher by Brums Foka Wolf. I can't promise any more Eastenders icons but there's still lots of amazing works to go up! Be sure to check out my posts about KMG & Henrik Uldalen for a peek behind this years murals.
As the UK balks at the idea of a summer staycation, street art king Banksy has taken it upon himself to highlight some of the UKs forgotten holiday destinations with his own summer 'Spraycation'. For the second time this summer I've seen Lowestoft become the destination for artistic interventions firstly with Adam Bridgland's piece for First Light Festival (check it here) and now Banksy! Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth has a special place in my heart being home to extended family and also my grandparents favourite holiday destination. I took my gran down for one last visit before ill health left her stuck in Aberdeen, I was only 16 and saw a new side to my gran during that trip as her face lit up looking over the beach and out to the ocean. I guess now I've got another reason to visit Yarmouth although how long these artworks will last is anyone's guess. You can check out Bansky (or is it some lacky) in action via his instagram here.
Across the North Sea and then some you'll find a new show opening 'Forbidden Fruit' by James Reka. Melbournes Backwoods Gallery is one of my favourite galleries and have put me onto a host of great artists who's work I now follow. Although the furthest ill be travelling this year is to Paris there's nothing to stop us from feeling part of a bigger creative community and indeed with so many of us operating online there's almost less barriers than going into physical spaces closer to home that sometimes make me feel like an outsider, despite supporting them for years. Of course if I could get to Oz for the 17th I'd be there in a flash but ill continue to appreciate and support from afar, from the comfort of my sofa. Check out more of Reka's work here and tune in with Backwoods Gallery here.
My inner child is buzzing after discovering Neil Westley aka the collector sketcher on instagram. Being a collector (hoarder) myself I'm always interested to see peoples collections, whether its badges, keyrings or vintage Star Wars figures. I've been collecting Star Wars Lego in the hopes that one day ill retire and have time to build all of the amazing sets I've collected over the years but I've found myself gravitating towards collecting vintage Star Wars toys as well. This could be problematic as I don't really have space to display them and its can be an expensive hobby. Of course if my mum hadn't SOLD all our old Star Wars toys then I'd have a head start. Thankfully Neil is filling my collection void with his hand drawn vintage Star Wars figures which is tickling that collecting itch. For those lacking space you can now buy prints of your favourite TVC figures and display them all in one handy place. That said I find the packaging of the Vintage Collection figures is part of the charm so perhaps I'd better get some shelves sorted. Check out Collector Sketcher prints here.
