Last week our very own hubCAP Gallery Committee launched the first in a series of social media takeovers by selected artists / creatives. First up was current Artist In Residence Shareen Sorour who was in charge of the Gallery’s instagram and twitter feeds for 7 day during which time she shared previous work, current concerns and 2 participatory /collaborative projects.
You can view all of Shareen’s instagram posts here: Shareen Sorour hubCAP Gallery Social Media Takeover
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.
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 5th of March. Gallery Opening times are Mon-Fri 10am-3pm.
It was an enormous pleasure to welcome Shareen Sorour as the new Artist In Residence in the Art & Design Dept. Shareen studied Foundation Diploma (FAD) and HND Contemporary Art Practice (CAP) before heading west to study for a degree in Sculpture and Environmental Art (SEA) at Glasgow School of Art (GSA).
So far Shareen introduced us to her practice and has already taken part in crits and tutorials.
Over the last 5 months as Artist In Residence (AIRetc…) in the Art & Design Team Samantha Dick has made significant impact and having successfully gained a role as part-time Learning Assistant it seems likely that impression will be last well beyond their tenure as AIR… Samantha started with us in September 2019 and within days was giving an excellent talk on her journey through Edinburgh College as a students and on to Glasgow School of Art to HND Contemporary Practice.
It wasnt long before Samantha was working very closely with the CAP team and students by joining tutorials and group crits offering great advice and support to everyone. It wasnt long before they were maticulously planning a series of workshop examining “The Body as Material” through which the participants and Samantha explored the potential of their own phyisicality as well as that of the spaces and circumstances they were in.
The second of the 3 workshops took place at our partner organisation in Newhaven at Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop (ESW) (see above) and the works developed by the participants was presented at North Edinburgh Arts Centre (NEA) our partners in Muirhouse. (see below) For most of the participants it was their first experience of performative artwork and for Samantha it was their first experience of developing and delivering a workshop of this kind yet the standard of the work was very high indeed and testiment to the quality of the workshops and the confidence developed by Samantha’s approach.
Many people would take time to relax and take stock after such an intensive set of workshops and outcome but for Samantha it was time to capaitalise on the experience and the confidence and energy it gave by immediately starting work on new work for their first solo exbition at the recently opened hubCAP Gallery at Edinburgh College.
It has been an absolute pleasure to have Samantha Dick as our first AIRetc… of the 2019 – 20 academic session.
APPLICATIONS FOR 2019-20 SESSION NOW OPEN
DEADLINE: Thursday 20th JUNE 2018
The Artist in Residence programme (AIRetc…) at Edinburgh College is an innovative scheme which provides recently graduated / professional artists who has previously studied at Edinburgh College with the opportunity to develop their creative practice in a dedicated studio space and gain knowledge, skills and experience in Art education.
Now in our 8th successful year AIRetc… are currently looking for 2 artists to participate in the 2019-20 academic programme.
Please download the information and application for below.
air-information-for-applicants 19-20
air-application-form-2019-20air-information-for-applicants 19-20
Please note all communication should be via email provided and should include a delivery and read receipt request.
contemporaryartetc.com 