In what we hope will be the start of a significant new approach to our site we have asked current HND CAP students to submit content of publication. We were delighted to recieve the following from current hndCAP year 2 student Anna Brodie.

Each opening night at HUBCAP gallery so far has proven to be a certain type of good chaos and the same is to be said of the most recent from our very own Artist in Residence Samantha Dick, who is presenting their first solo show DO OR DIE. The exhibition is set in HUBCAP’S small but versatile space nestled in the back of Edinburgh College’s canteen and has shown how, once again, the committee of CAP students can pull off a very well executed and professional event.

This time around the space has been transformed through Samantha’s own artistic lens. Meticulously placed elongated black lines frame the room, putting purposeful constraints on the space, creating a simple black and white structure which is then disrupted by Dick’s colourful use of characterisation displayed across several different mediums.

Currently based between Edinburgh and Glasgow, Samantha studied at Edinburgh College before progressing on to Glasgow School of Art. After graduating from university last year, they have once again become a part of the Edinburgh College community. Initially as Artist in Residence (AIR) and most recently taking on the role of Learning Assistant (LA). In Samantha’s own words the basis of their practice is “their rejection of social expectation.” DO OR DIE extends their interest in this and questions “the structures of our complex contemporary world.”  Through use of what they call “theatrical play” and their characterisation of stereotypes Samantha reacts to the current socio-political climate. Taking influence from the 1950s nuclear family Samantha works to deconstruct societal ideals that traditional formulas as such represent, challenging the viewers own sense of normality. Samantha’s portrayal of Mr suit in “The Desk Studies” reflects current political and social chaos through balancing a “symbol of normality” with “acts of absurdity”. It shows how Samantha’s techniques in clowning and characterisation can address big issues just as well as, if not better than, more traditional mediums. The exhibition prompts us to question gender norms, social inequality and react to customary concepts of the dominant and subordinate.

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Going forward Samantha is working hard as an LA and continuing their practice. Having recently shown work at Allsorts Royal Glasgow Institute Artist Film Festival as well as hosting exhibitions and events with the collective Where People Sleep of which they are a member and co-founder. You can find more information on Samantha at their website https://www.samanthadick.co.uk/bodies and keep up to date on recent work by following their Instagram @samanthadickart_

More information about Where People Sleep can be found on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/wherepeoplesleep/

Make sure you don’t miss out on the many exciting things to come from HUBCAP gallery by following them on Facebook by searching HUBCAP gallery and Instagram @hubcap.gallery

Be sure to look out for upcoming events connected to DO OR DIE.

Samanth Dick in Conversation: hubCAP Events

DO OR DIE: Panel Discussion: hubCAP Events

And if you haven’t already, get yourself down to Edinburgh College for a visit at HUBCAP to see the hard work of our students on the gallery committee, and Sam’s exhibition which will be open until Thursday the 5^th of March. Gallery Opening times are Mon-Fri 10am-3pm.

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