Renowned North-east fashion designer’s work to be focus of symposium
Thursday 27 February 2020
‘Fashion, fantasy and collaboration: The legacy of Bill Gibb’ takes place on Friday, March 20, when delegates can attend presentations, discussions and performances.
Organised by Gray’s School of Art and Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums, the symposium celebrates the legacy of Bill Gibb, focusing on his innovative approach to design, collaboration and manufacture, and his relationship with the North-east of Scotland.
Born in New Pitsligo, Aberdeenshire, and educated at Fraserburgh Academy, Bill Gibb attended Central St Martin’s School of Art and the Royal College of Art. Collaborating closely with tailors, knitters and textile designers, his fantastical garments were adored by celebrities.
Along with insights from Gibb’s immediate family, Robert Gordon University (RGU) academics and a key-note address by Christine Rew, Art Gallery & Museums Manager, there will be a performance by Shane Strachan and the opportunity to see his exhibition, The Bill Gibb Line, which was commissioned as part of the Look Again Festival in 2019.
Hilary Nicoll, from Gray’s School of Art, commented: “This symposium has grown out of The Bill Gibb Line exhibition, by Shane Strachan.
“We are delighted to see how working together across the city and institutions, we can not only support and develop local talent, but also create events such as this that have a real national interest and impact.”
Christine Rew, Art Gallery & Museums Manager, said, “Bill Gibb was one of the fashion industry’s most talented and innovative designers. At Aberdeen Art Gallery & Museums we are honoured to care for the largest collection of Gibb’s work, including over 2,500 of his design drawings and 120 garments.
“The exhibitions devoted to his talent we presented at Aberdeen Art Gallery in 1990 and 2003 were hugely popular and we are thrilled to be working with colleagues at Gray’s School of Art to bring Bill Gibb’s legacy to a new audience.”
Shane Strachan’s ‘The Bill Gibb Line’ will be on display at the Art Gallery until May 24.