Gray’s alumni on show at British Art Fair

A selection of Scotland’s leading artists, alongside emerging artists, were chosen by the RSA to represent the diversity and excellence of contemporary art in Scotland, as part of the British Art Fair held at the Saatchi Gallery in London in the autumn.

Five of the artists include alumni from Gray’s School of Art, including Kinga Elliott, Ade Adesina, Joyce Cairns, Claire Roberts, Arthur Watson.

Gray’s Painting graduate, Kinga Elliott, who has previously won three awards at the RSA New Contemporaries for her outstanding work, is a painter living and working in Glenesk on the border of Angus and Aberdeenshire. Having originally studied physics and mathematics in her earlier years, Kinga presents abstract paintings that focus on the manifestations of light, colour, dynamism, balance and interconnectedness.

Speaking about her success at the British Art Fair, Kinga said: “Showing my works at this prestigious venue in the company of leading artists is an honour. I am grateful for the RSA for their vision of helping emerging artists to get exposure and for my art schools – Gray’s School of Art Painting department and Arbroath Campus art lecturers at Dundee and Angus College, - for their dedication and expertise in nurturing art talent and building an environment where visual art education can flourish.”

Dean for Gray’s School of Art, Libby Curtis, said: “I am absolutely delighted that alumni from Gray’s School of Art have been selected by the RSA to be part of the British Art Fair.  Gray’s School of Art has been leading and defining culture for over 130 years and is a major influencer in the UK art world. 

“The Guardian University Guide (2022) showed Gray’s was first in Scotland for graduate prospects in Art, and we strive to inspire and prepare our graduates to flourish and carve out their own creative identities in the art world. The success of Gray’s alumni at the British Art Fair is testament to the foundation we offer and I’m thrilled for all the alumni selected by the RSA.”

The British Art Fair showcases the very best Modern and Contemporary British Art for sale by artists including leading names such as David Hockney, Bridget Riley, Sandra Blow, Frank Auerbach, Alan Davie, Paul Nash, L.S. Lowry, Paula Rego, John Hoyland, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Grayson Perry, Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, Banksy and many more. 

Top dealers from London and across the UK gathered at Saatchi Gallery from 29 September to 2 October 2022 to tell visitors about the artists, their work and give specialist advice on collecting.

Founded in 1826, the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA), has been championing art and architecture in Scotland for nearly two centuries.  It runs a year-round programme to support artists through awards, residences, events and exhibitions and is Scotland’s leading institution for contemporary art.  As an independently funded charity, the RSA raises income to support art and architecture in Scotland through a wide range of activities including artwork sales.

Images show by Gray's alumna, Kinga Elliott,  1. Mixed media  ‘Hanepoot – Leveret ,  2. Mixed media on paper ‘Tangential’, 3. Mixed media and resin on board – ‘Simpson line – Coral’, 4.Mixed Media on resin ‘Aqueous Solera Dancing’.