BP award winners announced as Gray’s Degree Show gets underway

The Gray’s School of Art Degree Show, a highlight of Aberdeen’s cultural calendar, has been sponsored by BP for the sixteenth year and will showcase work by more than 150 graduating students spanning a variety of disciplines, including painting, 3D design, contemporary art practice, fashion and textiles, communication design and commercial photography.

The 2019 BP Design Award was won by Communication Design student, Bethany Galley, whose work aims to create a better understanding of current social issues around the world.

Bethany will receive the specially commissioned BP Design Award trophy together with a cheque for £500.

The BP Fine Art Award was won by Contemporary Art practice student, Kristina Aburrow. Inspired by the North-east of Scotland’s heritage and its connection with the sea, Kristina’s work includes a pile of 1000 ceramic mussels.

Kristina will receive the BP Fine Art Award trophy together with a cheque for £500.

In addition to the main prizes, Communication Design student, Jennie Milne, and 3D Design student, Alison Grubb, were highly commended in the BP Design Award category, while Painting student, Leila Kleineidam, was highly commended in the BP Fine Art category. All commended students will receive a cheque for £250.

Ariel Flores, Regional President, BP North Sea, said: “2019 marks 16 years of BP sponsorship of the Gray’s Degree Show and we are proud of our long association with this ever-popular event.

“The Degree Show showcases the very best talent among graduating students and BP would like to congratulate them all and wish them every success in the future.”

Head of Gray’s School of Art, Libby Curtis, said: “Once again we have an extremely rich and varied show planned which will showcase the hard work, creativity and commitment of our artists and designers here at Gray’s.

“The Degree Show is a fantastic celebration of the work of the students, and plays an important role in contributing towards Aberdeen’s varied and continuously developing cultural offering.”

She added: “We are very grateful to BP for its support over the years in helping make the Degree Show into the wonderful occasion that it is. The BP Awards for both Fine Art and Design are a great opportunity for our students and really help recognise and encourage emerging talent in the north-east.”

The 2019 Gray’s School of Art Degree Show, sponsored by BP, will open to the public at RGU’s Garthdee campus on Saturday, June 15, until Saturday June 22. Entry is free and opening times are Monday to Friday, 8am to 10pm; weekends 10am to 5pm.