Talented artists to exhibit their work at Aberdeen Art Fair

The Aberdeen Artists Society (AAS) awarded Isabel McLeish, Nefeli Chrysanthou and Claire Kidd with prizes for their work, which is currently on display at the Robert Gordon University’s (RGU) Gray’s School of Art Degree Show.

Isabel, a contemporary art practice student, explores how to strengthen people’s connection with the land for her work. The 21-year-old is inspired by rural places and the natural world like her home in the north-west highlands of Scotland.

Isabel has won £100, a year’s membership to AAS and the opportunity to exhibit a drawing on the AAS stand at Aberdeen Art Fair in August.

Speaking about her prize, she said: “I am thrilled to have received recognition for my work by Aberdeen Artists Society and am excited to have the opportunity to exhibit my drawings again later in the summer. It’s been a very busy year and to get such positive feedback is wonderful.”

Second and third prizes - which included £50 along with a year’s membership to AAS and to also have their work on display at Aberdeen Art Fair – were awarded to Nefeli Chrysanthou, who moved to Aberdeen from Cyprus to study Fine Art, and painting student Claire Kidd won third prize.

The judging panel, which included members of the AAS Council, were looking at all work in the degree show and said they were impressed by the standards of work.

President of the Aberdeen Artists Society Bruce Swanson said: “The AAS panel of judges were greatly impressed by the standard of drawing in the degree show, it was a pleasure to view such variety, imagination and skill in many student’s work.

“It was not an easy task to choose prize winners and we are delighted to make the awards to Isabel, Nefeli and Claire.

“We very much look forward to displaying their work on the AAS stand at the Aberdeen Art Fair later this summer."

The Gray’s School of Art Degree Show, a highlight of Aberdeen’s cultural calendar, opened this weekend 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.