Exhibition
Tuesday 6th June, 2023
18:00-20:00
West Lothian college
building 1, lower floor, gym hall
West Lothian College's Portfolio Production students present their end of year exhibition UNCENSORED. the work in this exhibition is a selection of 2d, 3d and digital work, made over the course of the year.
Abby Robertson
This year I have been looking at memory, and how this is important to who we are as people. I started off by exploring the ways that we are made up by lots of different parts of the people around us and how we often feel the need to hold onto these things. I am interested by our tendency to try to preserve parts or times in our lives, this led onto me thinking about what happens when we are inevitably unable to do this, and the feelings of loss, grief and absence that come with that realisation. Towards the end of the course, my theme has concluded as memory and grief, as I have tried to communicate the stages of losing someone close to you and the feelings of wanting to hold on, but also the ways in which we are forced to find acceptance as time goes on either way. Words that I feel I consistently use throughout my work are things like, preservation (of the past), nostalgia, loss, memory, and identity. I really enjoy using found objects in my work and using things that I have either collected from my own life, or that I find remind me of similar things from my childhood as working with them feels a lot more personal. I also really like using collage a lot and make use of a lot of either my own, or family photos. I have received offers from Fine Art - Environmental Art/Sculpture at Glasgow School of Art, Fine Art at Edinburgh College of Art, Art & Design (General Foundation) at Duncan and Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Painting at Gray’s School of Art, and Contemporary Art Practices at Gray’s School of Art. I have chosen to go to Contemporary Art Practice at Robert Gordon University.
Caitlyn Wood
I am Caitlyn Wood, an art student at West Lothian College studying an HNC in Contemporary Art Practice. I take pride in my work and enjoy exploring new ways of working as well as researching valuable information to fuel my practice. Within my current practice am working with a plethora of art making methods to create digital, text, collaborative, ready-made, textile, augmented reality, collage, observational, developmental, assemblage, installation, moving image and sound-based artworks. My work centres itself around themes of capitalism and consumerism as this is a theme which I have made my own due to my strong, personal feelings about this subject matter. I am currently looking at the negative aspects of consumerism and the effect capitalism plays on today's society and future generations, as well as our constant bombardment with products and advertisements to ‘make our lives better’. As I am currently a college student, I am in frequent receipt of 2-week projects- these projects consist of prompt words, with which I then research, develop, and produce work in line with the prompt and my chosen theme. These allow me to generate works in a more conceptual, experimental and exploratory way. Some of these projects continue to influence the way I work as I carry them into further projects and developments. I particularly enjoy working with textiles, digital art forms, ready-mades, and 3D text. Although I am given prompt words by my lecturer to develop my work, these are not prescribed projects and all my work is original and my own. A selection of the prompts I have been provided with so far have sparked works that have become turning point for some of my practice such as collaboration, artwork a day and text.
Ethan swinley
My work explores the relationship between humans and nature, specifically the interactions and power dynamics between people and animals. My focus has largely been on creating and highlighting parallels between humans and animals, especially when concepts like social rules and pressures. This focus has remained the same at its core, but the specific subject my focus has shifted to is what it means to be a human, person and a member of human society. This subject becomes much less simple when ideas surrounding artificial intelligence are involved and questions are raised about consciousness and rights. I find myself drawn to digital media in order to create artworks, in part because I enjoy using editing software and because it feels like a natural way to enhance my recorded performances but also because the use of editing and AI software has created new ways of working digitally for me, as well as seeming relevant to the themes of nature and technology. I received offers from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, Gray’s School of Art, University of Edinburgh and Glasgow School of Art. I have chosen to attend Contemporary Art Practice at Gray’s School of Art.
Helen gent
My theme explores the positive impact that comes from a sense of belonging, with a focus on the primitive comfort and environment provided by the female womb and pelvis. I enjoy working with materials connected with the theme such as knitted wool, vines, feathers and modrock, to reflect the strength, support and protection provided by the female anatomy. Collaborative project work diverted the theme to examine belonging to abusive relationships, gaslighting and femicide. Exploring attraction to gaslight situations and phrases ‘like moths to a flame’, I worked with connected materials including eggshells and bandages. Research into the difficulties in identifying the potential for relationships to be healthy or abusive, gender based violence and femicide statistics are the basis of further fabric, digital and collage based artworks. Research included the Femicide Census and Counting Dead Women, the silenced pandemic of the biggest killer of women age 18-44 worldwide and media silence of victims identities, justifying the murders as acts of passion/ jealousy/red mist crimes, deflecting from realities of controlled and planned acts of violence as detailed on the 8 steps always present in femicide images. I am excited to start a Masters in Medical Visualisation and Human Anatomy at Glasgow School of Art to combine creative skills with NHS midwifery experience and study 3D modelling to illustrate female anatomy in pregnancy.
jess gorman
Jessica Gorman is a performance and digital artist who looks at ideas of communication within a relationship. Gorman was born in West Lothian, Scotland, on the 2nd of December 2004. She is currently studying the HNC Art Portfolio Production course at West Lothian College, Scotland. Her work explores ideas of how communication in a relationship can change or be affected by long distance. Gorman has most recently been developing works which explore use of technology such as phones in relation to communication, phone calls and texts are the most common method of communication from a long distance. Gorman will be moving from her home in West Lothian, Scotland to Aberdeen, Scotland in September which has been an influence in her explorations of communication in a long-distance relationship as this will become a big part of her everyday life soon. Gorman has explored public artworks in the form of projecting onto bus stops, her series of work “call me” consists of digital videos which she has projected onto bus stops and cars in West Lothian, Scotland. Another work Gorman has developed is “the bloody pear of anguish” which is a performative video piece which features Gorman trying to speak into a pear with a bloody mouth, she was influenced by the medieval torture device “the pear of anguish” which was traditionally used to break an individual’s jaw therefore leaving them unable to speak. Jessica Gorman has been influenced by several artists, key artists who she has related to are Christine Sun Kim, Sterlarc, Jenny Holzer, Bill Viola, Katie Paterson, Ai Wei Wei and Yoko Ono. Jessica Gorman is currently completing her HNC Art Portfolio Production course at West Lothian College and she has received an unconditional offer for first year studying BA (Hons) Contemporary Art Practice at Gray’s School of Art, Aberdeen, which she will be starting in September 2023.
Jill Harvey
As I reflect on being a mature student, I can appreciate the advantages my life experiences, both personal and professional are a motivator in my creative process. I immerse myself in study of trauma and its impact, looking at the term as an umbrella covering a large scope of issues. Childhood trauma, addiction, attachment, and gender-based violence. Inspiration is predominantly coming from research which I find that triggers a desire within me to share with others. I consider my work is a tool of activism. A means to communicate a message of awareness and invite discussion. I believe my work reflects the enthusiasm I have for social issues and raising awareness, addressing trauma and its social impact. I am looking forward to studying Fine art at Edinburgh College of Art in September. I received offers from Glasgow School of art Fine art Photography Glasgow school of Art Sculpture and Environment Edinburgh College of Art Fine art Duncan and Jordanson college of Art and Design Fine art
krisztina safrany
My work explores sexuality and sexual empowerment of women, with my work more recently going down the route of child sexual abuse and the effects of it in adulthood. This is something that is very close to my heart, and I find I can use my own experiences in my work as an escape or coping mechanism and to make my work emotionally provocative towards the viewer. The aim of my work is to shed light on these issues, as something that is very real and very common, however to do this in a way which is inviting and peculiar, to create works that feel comfortable, normal or nostalgic at first however have a sinister meaning or symbolism. Through my research I use people’s real-life experiences as well as my own, in addition to psychological studies and social issues, especially surrounding media as a basis of my work. My research is embedded into each one of my works, often using deep rooted symbolism which can be open to interpretation. I spend significant time researching to expand my knowledge of contemporary artists, especially ones that connect with my own investigations such as feminist artists like Cindy Sherman, Carolee Schneemann, Marina Abramovic and Tracey Emin and Rachel MacLean. Throughout my practice I find myself working most digitally, often integrated with sculpture and installation, as well as using text in a lot of my work. However, I explore a wide variety of media including printmaking, performance, photography, performative- photography, textiles, ready-mades, and many more. I HAVE CHOSEN TO MOVE ON TO cONTEMPORARY ART PRACTICE AT GRAYS SCHOOL OF ART.
marie henderson
My work explores the themes of Human Connection to the Earth and of Motherhood, the similarities between them and of how we can recognise these to change our world for the better. Researching our Connection with the earth, I have found fascinating. I am particularly interested in Water Consciousness and Electromagnetism. My own experience of Motherhood plays a part in giving me a deeper understanding of the theme. I want my art to inspire and have a positive impact on the world. I believe art is powerful and can change lives. I want my art to make a difference I use many different mediums, such as, Sculpture, Digital and Painting. I am currently exploring using my body as a medium. I find it interesting the reaction the public has to my art. I feel that working in a single medium is restrictive to my artistic process, so I take an explorative approach. Which I find intriguing. Each idea manifests in its own individual style. I cannot wait to get to Art school to further develop my practice. The outdoors and nature inspire me. I enjoy listening to all of nature's sounds and like to incorporate this in my art. My children influence my art, seeing them change and grow every day. Overheard conversations - a stranger on a bus. The light shining through the trees, a passer byes laughter - all give me inspiration. I use these moments as a source. I adore visiting galleries and going to exhibitions. This triggers my imagination and helps me gain a better understanding of the creative process. Eastern Philosophies influence my work, I find these intriguing. Books such as The Tao of Physics, The Art of Being, Capitalist Realism are sources of inspiration for me too. I have received offers from Contemporary Art Practice (2nd Year) at Gray’s School of Art, Interior and Spatial Design at Napier University and Art & Design (General Foundation) at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design. I have chosen to Study at Duncan of Jordanstone.
martyna krupa
During HNC my work has centered around the past since I’m scared of the future. In exploring past I have also delved into the topics around the past such memory, nostalgia and the passage of time, this I have approached in various ways, both in three-dimensional and two-dimensional mediums. The subject of memory is a rather interpersonal one which everyone experiences differently, and I personally do not believe that there is a general experience that everyone can relate or agree on, not everyone can look onto the past the same way. With this in mind, I drew the inspiration from feelings, thoughts and experiences from myself, my own life and my own indescribable feelings of loneliness and longing. I am going to study Sculpture and Environmental Art at The Glasgow School of Art. The other offers I have received include: Fine Art – Edinburgh College of Art (Year 1) General Foundation – Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design (Year 1) Contemporary Art Practice – Gray's School of Art (Year 2)
rebecca rae
The disruption of the ordinary and the encouragement of absurdity is where Rebecca lays, tucked in with the blanket of light hearted humour on her bed of work. Through performance, sculpture, text work and printmaking, Rebecca Rae thrives on audience interaction with the push of absurdity within life. Recycling routines, creating something with no purpose other than to just be, she draws inspiration from the everyday and uses this familiarity to create an uncanniness within her practice in a way that is often puzzling and comedic. With her HNC qualification in Art from West Lothian College (2019) and her BA (Hons) in Contemporary Art Practice from Gray’s School of Art (2022), Rebecca has been awarded the James Rust Prize (2022) and the Scottish Sculpture Workshop Fiona Bushe Award (2022) for her degree show work. Recently, Rebecca has been interested in Albert Camus’ writings in “The Myth of Sisyphus”, focusing on the story of Sisyphus rolling his boulder up a hill for all of eternity, watching it fall back to the bottom each time. Making light of the repetitive punishment, she approaches the old tale with one question – “What if I was Sisyphus?”.
teigan ross
My work surrounds the theme of catharsis where I use art making as a form of sublimation. Sublimation is a defence mechanism where the individual redirects negative feelings or impulses into positive ones. For example, someone who struggles with depressive thoughts redirects these thoughts into music or sports rather than causing harm to themselves or others. This is what art does for me. I channel my traumas and experiences into raw pieces of art in hope to help others. Throughout the course the themes I have been investigating are sexual abuse specifically within children, self-harm and intrusive thoughts, trauma, and cleansing. My work has taken a turn within the last block, and I have been exploring what it means to be clean and the intrusive thoughts that come with the process of cleaning after being abused, while researching safe places and sensory deprivation within this. Throughout my time at college I have had the chance to research artists who explore the same themes as I do. This has broadened my perspective of art, and given me permission to process through creating, rather than bottling it up and dealing with it in an unhealthy manner. This is something I am eager to see myself develop further within my practice at art school, as my knowledge of artists and ways of practice expands further. I have really enjoyed working with unusual art materials and found objects, creating installations and performative artworks, and incorporating textiles and text into my work. These are techniques that I have found I thrive making with and skills that I am continuing to develop throughout my practice creating powerful and emotive work. I have received 4 unconditional offers for Art School. Art & Design (General Foundation) at Duncan and Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Environmental Art/Sculpture at Glasgow School of Art, Fine Art at Edinburgh College of Art, and Contemporary Art Practice at Gray’s School of Art. I have chosen to go study Contemporary Art Practice at Gray’s School of Art, Robert Gordon University.
