Regional artists chosen to extend legacy of pioneering women artists

They each possess a strong association and empathy for Gray’s School of Art at Robert Gordon University (RGU) and will have their work shown as part of a special exhibition at Aberdeen Art Gallery that will begin in autumn 2025.

Announced on International Women’s Day, the women artists are all alumni of Gray’s who live in the AB postcode – a requirement of applying for the commission which is aimed to ensure that the talent emerging through Gray’s is both showcased and invested in. Those selected are:

• Amy Benzie, ceramist;
• Claire Roberts, printmaker;
• Lyndsey Gilmour, painter; and
• Marie-Chantal Hamrock, a multidisciplinary artist.

The artists will be tasked with creating new works inspired by the legacies of four pioneering women artist-educators who each have strong links to Gray’s and Scottish art: Barbara Balmer, Joyce Cairns, Frances Walker and Sylvia Wishart.

Named 'Performing the Archive: #Correspondences – Women’s Voices', the project is led by Look Again at Gray's School of Art and funded by Aberdeen City Council - Creative Funding and RGU Art & Heritage Collections.

Inviting a vibrant correspondence between artists of different generations that creates a dynamic interplay to bridge the past, present and future, the project will augment the wider exhibition at Aberdeen Art Gallery.

Sally Reaper, Director of Look Again at Gray’s School of Art, said: “In an art school traditionally dominated by male voices, we were all keen to spotlight four notable women artist-educators who brought invaluable perspectives and fostered a sense of place, guiding students to explore the region’s unique artistic ecology.

“‘Performing the Archive: #Correspondences – Women’s Voices’ hopes to inspire artists from different generations to explore how influential women transformed Gray’s into a nurturing environment for generations of artists, designers and makers. We are delighted that Amy, Claire, Lyndsey and Marie-Chantal have accepted to be involved and cannot wait to see the art that they create.”

Councillor Martin Greig, Aberdeen City Council’s culture spokesman said: “Gray’s School of Art has been an integral part of Aberdeen’s artistic scene for over 100 years. It is a great pleasure to work with the school to mark International Women’s Day by celebrating the amazing work of these four women artists.

“The Council believes strongly in the value and benefits of the arts. It's good to continue our cultural commitment by supporting these significant local artists. The Art Gallery is an excellent venue to showcase their wonderful artworks. I encourage as many as possible to visit and enjoy the exhibition when it will open later this year.”

This year marks the 140th anniversary of Gray’s School of Art, a historic milestone for an institution founded in 1885 that has an illustrious past and reputation. Its famous art school design, inspired by Mies van der Rohe’s modernist architecture, is revered across the nation and its annual Gray’s Degree Show is a North East cultural highlight. It will return to campus this year on 6 – 15 June.

Fast forward to modern times and Gray’s School of Art was ranked first in Scotland and third in the UK for student satisfaction in Art and Design (Complete University Guide).

A programme of events will soon be announced which, in tandem with Performing the Archive: #Correspondences – Women’s Voices, will justly celebrate both the past and present of Gray’s.

Main image: Sally Reaper to the right of Judith Winter, co-curator of the exhibition and a curator, writer, and lecturer at Gray's School of Art.