Guest @ Grays brings inspiring new contemporary art and design to Aberdeen

Thanks to a new partnership with Aberdeen Art Gallery, a number of lectures will be open to the public as well as students at the Art Gallery’s magnificent Cowdray Hall.

The refreshed Guest @ Grays programme, which is co-delivered by Gray’s students, starts on Friday 28 January with a free online lecture from leading film maker and photographer Chris Leslie, who will discuss a previously unseen project documenting post-conflict Yugoslavia over 24 years.

Regular Guest @ Gray’s events at Aberdeen Art Gallery’s Cowdray Hall begin on Friday 25 February with a talk by renowned Scottish sculptor Kenny Hunter, whose exhibition, Sculpture Court, is currently on display at Aberdeen Art Gallery.

Kenny will share insights into his practice as a teacher and an artist working in galleries and the urban environment. Examples of Hunter’s public sculptures can be seen all over Scotland, with hugely popular examples of his work in the collection of Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums and in the grounds of Aberdeen University, as well as a new commission for the Thomas Blake Glover memorial garden in Fraserburgh.

Hilary Nicoll, Co-director of Look Again at Gray’s School of Art said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Aberdeen Art Gallery to bring a refreshed Guest @ Grays programme to the public, and importantly, to involve students, helping them develop essential professional skills. The new series includes a host of free lectures which are open to all and bring together the best national and international artists and designers, writers and curators to heart of Aberdeen.  

“The series demonstrates the close links Gray’s School of Art and Aberdeen Art Gallery have with leading figures in the arts and culture sector and our commitment to making the arts accessible to all. The programme promises to be really diverse and I’d encourage everyone to come along to enjoy what’s on offer.”

Councillor Marie Boulton, Aberdeen City Council’s culture spokesperson, said: “This exciting partnership between Gray’s School of Art and Aberdeen Art Gallery will bring inspiring speakers to the city for students and local residents to enjoy, free of charge. It’s another great example of how the Art Gallery is working with valued partners such as Gray’s School of Art to deliver an engaging and diverse programme of activity for the public to enjoy. The redeveloped Art Gallery is a welcoming, safe and accessible public space in the city centre - the perfect location for activities such as Guest @ Gray’s.”

Grays School of Art, as part of Robert Gordon University, is first in Scotland for graduate prospects in Art, (Guardian University Guide 2022) and the Guest @ Grays series is part of our ambition to encourage our students to learn new ideas and establish a better understanding of the industry.

If anyone would like to suggest speakers or to find out more about the programme please email Guest@Grays. To find out more about Kenny Hunter’s talk and booking, visit: