Former Forth Valley College student Niamh McFarlane’s work has become much sought after, since a fresh career start transformed her into a budding artist.
Niamh (22) a BA Art & Design student from Denny, has recently sold her painting – ‘Freshscape’ - to the Smith Art Gallery and Museum in Stirling for their private collection and won the City Contemporary Art Exhibition Award for her work to be displayed at the City Contemporary Galleries in Perth.
This recognition was the result of her work being exhibited at the recent FVC End of Year Degree Show at Stirling Campus from Thursday 2-Thursday 8 June, Niamh has also been selling work consistently over the past few months.
The former St Modan’s High School pupil, had been working as a nursery teacher, but the pandemic lockdown led her to reassess her future path and she applied to FVC as she always enjoyed being creative at High School.
Now after three years at FVC, she is heading to the University of Stirling to complete her Honours Degree and is looking forward to embarking on her career as a full-time artist.
Niamh, who currently works part-time in Indigo Sun in Stirling, said: “My painting will now feature in the Smith’s private collection alongside work from credible artists across Scotland. It will be a great way to raise my profile, and give me more opportunities. I am delighted that my work was recognised by the Smith Art Gallery and Museum. I am excited about what is next for me. It is all a little bit surreal as I am still a student!
“Since the completion of my Degree Show, I am now delighted to announce my paintings will be exhibited at the famous Brick Lane Gallery in London from 16-28 August. This opportunity brings my work to a popular and lively part of east London, known for its vibrant art and culture.
“I will also be exhibiting work at The Park Gallery, Callander House from September as part of their Winter ‘Artful’ group show, and at the ‘Future Stars’ exhibition in London at the end of this year.”
Caroline Mathers, Director of the Smith Art Gallery and Museum, said: “We are delighted to have acquired a piece of Niamh’s work for The Smith’s permanent art collection. It’s important we support our local graduates at this exciting time in their careers and this is one way we can do that.
“The quality of work emerging from Forth Valley College is exceptional and Niamh’s work is a good example of this. I can see her vibrant, textured paintings becoming quite collectable, so of course we wanted to have a piece for our collection. Niamh’s work is being exhibited around the UK and this will only reinforce and build her confidence as she broadens her practice. We are happy to have been a small part of this and wish her and her fellow graduates the very best.”
Niamh revealed how she started her course while the College had lockdown restrictions in place, and she had to begin her creative journey while studying at home.
She said: “When I started off the lecturers were trying to get everything they could out of you while at home, I was carving artwork from bars of soap and painting in my bedroom, but it was all worth it. When I came back to the Stirling Campus I started to become a bit more rebellious and adventurous, upping the size of my canvases to as much as six feet! But the lecturers and technicians were always so supportive and helpful and they always helped find a way to bring your ideas to reality.
“That is why I would 100% recommend the Creative Industries Department and its courses to anyone… if they are interested in Art and Design they should go for it and apply. There are amazing facilities, studios and workshops, and the great thing is you are studying with classmates who are working in their own mediums and ideas, and you can feed off each other. It is a great environment to build your confidence and find your own creative voice.”
Ewan John, an Art and Design Lecturer at FVC, said: “Niamh started on our Contemporary Art Practice course during the covid pandemic and progressed on to the BA Art & Design course, where she focused on developing her painting practice.
“Her paintings have caught the attention of collectors and individuals alike who are drawn to the colourful, expressive nature of the works. She has developed highly textured, expressive canvases, which have appealed to local galleries, including the prestigious Smith Art Gallery and Museum who have recently acquired a large abstract canvas, which featured in her End of Year Degree Show, entitled, ‘Freshscape’, for their permanent collection.
“The predominantly blue work stems from studies and photographs as documented in a colour diary, which she recorded specifically for the show. In addition, Niamh was also awarded the City Contemporary Art Gallery Exhibition Award on the opening night and is expected to show at the commercial gallery in Perth later in the season.”
Photos by HND Photography students David Chapman (main one with story) Charles McGuigan and Ashley Forsyth.
Find out more about Niamh’s work:
Website: https://t.ly/92u2d
Instagram: @niamhjmcfpaintings
Facebook: @Niamh J McF Paintings