A student and lecturer from Forth Valley College currently have their work exhibited online at the Annual Exhibition of the Royal Scottish Academy.
Due to the current pandemic lockdown situation, it is the first time in its 194 year history that the annual event will not be organised live. But regardless it is a great achievement for two artists – Lecturer Ewan John and third year BA Art and Design student Tina Minal from the College’s Creative Industries Department - to be represented.
The Annual Exhibition – which started on 8 April and runs until 31 May on https://www.rsaannualexhibition.org/ - is the core of the RSA’s exhibition programme, and represents the Academy’s commitment to promoting excellence in visual art in Scotland. The exhibition is available to view entirely online, with accompanying detailed commentary from exhibiting artists, and is the most extensive exhibition of contemporary art and architecture in Scotland.
Having been a mainstay of the academy's calendar since its inception 193 years ago, the Annual Exhibition has evolved over the years, providing a platform for Scottish art alongside international artists, often including topical or political elements, to give an uncensored, independent voice to artists.
Tina (41) from Bo’ness, said: “My artwork looks at human behaviour and how we engage, and this artwork does that by representing how we are influenced by others, be it good or bad and how this has an effect on our emotional, physical and mental health.
“To have my artwork at the RSA Exhibition has been a great achievement and worth all the hard work. I feel very privileged to have this opportunity as an emerging artist and to represent Forth Valley College’s Creative Industries Department.”
Ewan John, said: “It is an honour to be included in this unique 194th RSA annual exhibition under the current Covid-19 conditions and in addition, I am delighted to be exhibiting alongside one of our 3rd year students, Tina Minal. Tina has taken on board our suggestions to get her work out there and establish a name for herself whilst still a student at Forth Valley College. Not only will this be a wonderful inclusion on her CV but will give her the real life experience our 3rd year BA Art and Design degree program prepares them for.”
Dr Joyce W. Cairns, President, The Royal Scottish Academy, said: “Due to the unfortunate circumstances in which we all find ourselves, the Royal Scottish Academy of Art and Architecture for the first time in its history, is introducing the 194th Annual Exhibition as an online presentation.
“Since the Academy was founded in 1826, the Annual Exhibition has been a yearly feature in the Scottish calendar giving the not so well known and young emerging artists and architects the opportunity to exhibit alongside the established Members of the Academy. The RSA plays a crucial role in encouraging artists and architects outwith the Academy at different stages in their careers by giving out yearly, close on £200,000 through awards, bursaries, residency schemes, purchase prizes and through sales from the New Contemporaries Exhibition.
“It is possible due to our lockdown state that the Annual Exhibition will attract a much wider global audience, now having time to browse through the many splendid, sometimes challenging and collectable pieces on display. Sadly, not all pieces are on show due to the nature and scale of the work and could only have been photographed once they were in situ. Within the next fortnight the RSA will announce a new Award scheme for this year, which is aimed at artists at the outset of their careers to support them in their studio practice.
“We hope that you enjoy the works on display and on behalf of the Members and Staff of the Royal Scottish Academy, I wish all our Patrons, Friends, Sponsors, exhibitors, supporters and art lovers viewing the site a safe passage through the next few months.”
