Gray’s vibrant MA Degree Show launches on RGU’s campus

This is the first in-person end-of-year MA degree show at Robert Gordon University (RGU) campus since 2019 and will see a gallery space created within Gray's School of Art.

The final year exhibition brings together the creative work of both full and part-time Masters’ students and, this year, will showcase a mix of projects across Photography, Painting, Installation and Product Design.

The collection of work is wide ranging but includes significant common themes that focus on relationships to environment, well-being and connections to the body and the world around us.

Jon Pengelly, Course Leader from Gray’s School of Art, said: “The virtual world has offered so much for us in recent years, but art and design is a sensory experience that needs to be appreciated and felt in the real world! We are therefore very excited to welcome audiences back to the Art School, to indulge their senses and come face-to-face with the work of our future art and design practitioners.

“The students have shown great resilience in adapting to the pandemic and creatively responded with the production of unique, resourceful, and inspired art & design work, following these challenging times.”

One of the master’s students exhibiting is Anne Rees, who has graduated with a Master of Fine Arts. Her project consists of a series of contemporary documentary photographs depicting Aberdeen City post-pandemic. Her work draws on personal experience and observations and will focus on the city's future, exploring topics such as community, environment, and location.

Anne said: “As a digital photographer with a wedding photography business, I have embraced exploring multiple genres that I would not necessarily have before, ultimately strengthening my skill set.

“I am excited about the degree show as I have not had the opportunity to display my work in an exhibition of this magnitude before. It's new territory and a little daunting but also looking forward to seeing others' reactions to my work.

“RGU's Master of Fine Arts has allowed me to expand on existing professional practices and explore genres utilising the University's facilities, including its photography suites and dark rooms. I'm thoroughly impressed with the school, resources, and wealth of knowledge from academics who can tease out your creative self.”

The postgraduate showcase is free and open to the public.

A launch night takes place on Friday, 26 August, 6 - 9 pm. The exhibition will run for a week at GA03, Gray’s School of Art, Garthdee Campus from Saturday 27 August until Saturday 3 September, 10am to 5pm.

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