Look Again exhibition of colour, PRISM, shines at festival of light, SPECTRA

‘PRISM’ brings together five leading Scottish artists, who explore colour as part of a dazzling exhibition, curated by Gray’s School of Art’s creative unit, Look Again at Robert Gordon University, from Thursday 10 February.

With studios in either Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire, the five artists, who are Gray’s alumni, include Gordon Burnett, Julia Gardiner, Carole Gray, Robin Palmer and Allan Watson. All have exhibited nationally and internationally and are involved in a range of public and private commissions.

PRISM supports SPECTRA’S Catalyst Conference, #Culture is not a luxury, which takes place online on Friday 11 February. Robert Gordon University is taking a leading role at the conference with RGU Chancellor, Dame Evelyn Glennie, Head of Gray’s School of Art, Libby Curtis and Look Again Co-Director, Hilary Nicoll joining as guest panellists at the event that will explore the role of the arts in a post Covid Scotland.

Look Again Co-Director, Hilary Nicoll, said: “We are really excited to present PRISM. This unique exhibition celebrates the depth of creative talent in the North east and considers colour in all its beauty and complexity. Our exhibition complements Aberdeen’s SPECTRA’S mission of bringing ‘light to the winter nights’ and presents artworks that focus on colour as a property of light.

“PRISM will create a dazzling display of colour and offers visitors the chance to see first-hand leading artists in their field. The exhibition, and our involvement with SPECTRA, demonstrates Gray’s School of Art’s commitment to enrich and support culture in the North East of Scotland and examine how the creative sector can influence individuals and the wider community.”

One of the artists exhibiting at PRISM is Gray's School of Art alumni, Allan Watson. Allan who studied sculpture at Gray's School of Art, paints wooden forms that play with perspective and the relationship between two and three dimensions. Ahead of the exhibition opening, Allan said;

"The five artists exhibiting have known each other for many years. We’d been talking about showing as a group so when the Look Again Project Space became available, we jumped at the chance. The timing made it seem logical for our exhibition to run parallel with Spectra, who very generously included us in their programme.

"Our shared interests in using colour through various materials and processes became the common denominator for the work we’ve selected for the exhibition. Spectra has been a great catalyst for PRISM - we’d like to think a ‘fringe festival’ might develop in future years, complimentary to the main event."

Fraserburgh artist, Gordon Burnett, presents a series of clocks using colour combined with unusual materials, such as grout and granite to evoke playfulness and mystery drawing inspiration from nature moods and topography

Virtual artist Julie Gardiner from the North east, who originally trained as a printmaker at Gray’s School of Art and The Royal College of Art in London, focuses on sculpture and uses coloured card to create minimal geometric compositions that convey a sense of ‘organised harmony’ and balance. 

Carole Gray, who is a Research Professor & Co-ordinator at Gray’s School of Art, constructs geometric forms using new technologies and materials combined with the hand-made to explore spatial ambiguity through tint and tone.

Gray’s School of Art graduate, Robin Palmer’s work is inspired by Orkney and the islands and the surrounding environment. He creates craft box framed sculptures in painted card and wood, exploring the subtleties of shadow and light, shape and pattern to make small worlds of colour and ambiguity.

PRISM opens on Thursday 10 February 6-10pm and runs on Friday 11 February, 6-10pm. It is also open on Saturday & Sunday 2-10 pm and is free to visit. Find out more: