Degree Shows

In the last week i have been to two degree shows in two different countries. One in Scotland at Dundee University DJCAD and the other in Sweden at Konstfack. Examining the fine art shows at both exhibitions i find it very interesting to see the end results the students produce. My main observation was the choice of medium, as i have noted before. In scotland the work was more tactile with expressions made through paint and sculpture. Where as in Sweden at Konstfack the students favour more media based mediums such as film and photography. Another point which also struck me was that in Scotland alot of the work is based on self reflection referring to their surrounding landscape, upbringing or their own body/appearance. Where as it seems to me the students of Konstfack are more interested in conceptual work which in some cases is less self explanatory. I wonder where this separation stems from, if being educated in such different cities; Dundee and Stockholm is the cause of the drastic difference of work.

Bellow are some pieces that i particularly liked and also reflect some of my above thoughts.

Konstfack (Spring Exhibition) Degree show:

Above are afew pieces which i found quiet interesting, unfortunately i do not remember the name of the artists. I found the bottom image of the above three fascinating, the artist had built a shed showing projections inside and outside and placed several glass bottles filled with plants inside the structure, i did not quiet understand the piece to me it suggested reference to a fairy tale. But otherwise aesthetically it intrigued me, and i liked the materials used.

SECRET WISHES from olof svenblad on Vimeo

My favourite piece from the Konstfack show... there is just something fantastic about this video wether it is the lovely simple pencil drawings or the tune who knows! The artist Olof Svenblad also was giving away the stills from the video, so now i am a proud owner of part of the film! Very much worth a watch!

Duncan of Jordanstone Degree show:

Rosslyn MacKinnon Oman. So she may be my best friend but i adore her plaster heads, there is something sad about them, and this impression is not just formed from the connotations that the red paint gives, but they lie in solitude in the white space, one lying whole and rest smashed up leaving fragments of her face lying around. She currated her show cleverly, each piece leading into each other well. Her show certainly raised questions in my mind about what are her personal thoughts are.


I especially liked Yvonne Billimore's work, probably as it relates to my own work, looking at the natural environment. I liked her combination of mediums, photography, sculpture with natural materials and print.

Hannah Imlach, has always been producing fantastic work, and always so beautifully constructed and carefully thought through. Her shelter clearly reflects this. I also really like her mini camera paper obscura, so simple yet affective!