Art-lovers are gearing up for one of the biggest events in Dundee’s cultural calendar this weekend.
The Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Design and Architecture degree show launches on May 18, when DJCAD will be transformed into Scotland’s largest exhibition space for ten days.
Visitors will be able to see work produced by final year students graduating in diverse disciplines including fine art, textile and jewellery design, architecture, illustration and graphic design.
Various cultural events will take place in the week of May 18-26, which is set to be the biggest week of art and design in the city to date, due to the opening of the V&A in September.
Professor Andrew Atherton, principal and vice-chancellor of the university, said: “Our degree show taking place at the same time as a major V&A touring exhibition and all the other exciting events scheduled, is a major milestone in terms of what the city can offer its residents and visitors.”
One of those due to exhibit their work is mature student Sandra Allan, 54, who fulfilled her long-held dream of going to art school.
Her work, featuring cardboard sculptures of ex-mining village Thornton, explore themes such as the breakdown of community and gentrification.
She said: “I didn’t get a great education at school but it was always my dream to go to art college.
“For me it’s all been about feeling fulfilled as a person. I was elated when I was offered a place.
“The sense of achievement is a great feeling and I would urge anyone who left school with no qualifications, or has had children very young, to go for it if they want to go to university. It’s never too late.”
Another student exhibiting at the show is Saskia Singer, whose project revolves around the work of psychoanalyst Donald Winnicott and his work with getting children to explore their feelings through drawing shapes.
The 24-year-old said: “My work is all about play – I’ve played with ideas and materials, and really wanted to make use of all the materials available to me in my final year.
“I’ve used things salvaged from a skip, such as lightening earthing tape, as well wood, ceramics, plaster and also I did some prints.
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“I didn’t actually know what the full project would look like until the very last minute, but I’m pleased at how it’s all come together.”
The show will launch at 10am on May 18 at DJCAD’s Matthew building, and will thereafter be on from Monday to Friday 10am-8pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am-4pm.
