Mustard Blanket, by Frances Disley, Flo Gordon and Laura McGlinchey

Mustard Blanket, by Frances Disley, Flo Gordon and Laura McGlinchey

9th July – 2nd September 2018

The Suttie Arts Space

Mustard Blanket brings together three artists with a compulsion to provoke ideas with colour. The title of the exhibition is taken from the name of the commercial paint used on the gallery walls, and suggests a straightforward enveloping of the gallery in a way that enables the distinct practices of each artist to become blended. For Mustard Blanket, the artists explore colour as information, and as a carrier for expression.

Artist Information & Biographies

Frances Disley is based in Liverpool at The Royal Standard. She studied Fine Art Printmaking at The Royal College of Art, London, and is currently a Liverpool Biennial Associate Artist, and exhibiting at Baltic 39, Newcastle as part of “We are where we are”. Recent projects and exhibitions include “RRR”, live interactive performance and installation and single channel video, part of At the Library, commissioned by Sefton Libraries, Netherton Activity Centre, Liverpool 2018; “Abacus”, Bluecoat, Liverpool 2017; “SWAP Editions Edition 1 – ADHOC”, launched at Castor Projects, London 2017; “ART VAN” event part of Site Gallery’s public programme, Endcliffe Park, Sheffield 2017; performance “Charcoal Heather / Therma Sphere Max”, REC ROOM, Houston, Texas 2017; Liverpool Biennial Arriva Bus commission 2016, Liverpool Biennial Associate Artists exhibition, Liverpool 2016; “HERE”, Glasgow International, Glasgow 2016.

The works that she has made for the exhibition are a floor painting, a textiles wall hanging (curtain), and a video from both. She worked with a performer that she has previously collaborated with before to animate both objects/surfaces. The floor painting is a crude playful experiment with shape and colour painted onto a piece of adhesive vinyl which is cut out and stuck to the gallery floor. She painted onto some garments, thinking about colours to compliment the floor painting and directed Maria, her performer, to enact a series of actions on the surface. These actions are simple things like combing hair, crinkling a bag of dried fruit and playing with stones. She did the same thing with the curtain. Some of the actions are just about using the body to make satisfying shapes in relation to the ones that already exist and some of them use things associated with ASMR techniques (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) which is intended to relax the viewer. She likes the idea that you can see the floor painting and textiles work in real life and then watch the way that they can be animated and possibly imagine yourself as a viewer enacting the actions. Taking from the suggestion by GHAT that the space is sometimes used by NHSG staff to chill out a bit, and that kids go there to let off steam, she is hoping the work is both relaxing and fun.

Flo Gordon graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in 2013 with a 1st Class BAHons in Art and Media. Since then she has produced work in ‘The Number Shop Studios and Gallery‘, Edinburgh, which she has also helped to run. Her most notable recent exhibitions include ‘REFRACTION’, 24hourwindow for Glasgow International Festival 2018 and ‘MELON, SLICE 2’, The Number Shop Studios and Gallery for Edinburgh Art Festival 2017. Her work inherently tackles suppression with attempts to goad through her indulgent, autobiographical and self-reflective expressions.

She has made a wall mounted ‘foam mosaic’ that is a bombardment of colour and texture. It is made to have the effect of being welcoming and soft whilst also being visually challenging. It is to be a celebration of sight and has a bit of text along the bottom that will serve as a kind of cliche (one that centres around appreciating your senses/ the present). She intends for the piece to highlight the importance of cliches and how humbling an experience it can be when enlightened to their root purposes. She has also made a spontaneous/ stream of consciousness vinyl piece on the windows in the corridor, creating coloured shadows for different times of day for people to revisit. This is also a piece made to celebrate the transience of the present.

Laura McGlinchey graduated from Gray’s School of Art in 2013 with First Class BA Hons Degree in Fine Art Painting. Presenting work in RSA New Contemporaries 2014 she was awarded the Maclaine Watters Medal, RSA Art Prize and selected to exhibit at New Scottish Artists, Fleming Collection, Mayfair London. Laura co-founded Artist collective, VAU, who have set up and maintain studios in Glasgow and facilitate artist talks and events across Scotland. Returning to Gray’s Painting Department in 2015, Laura began a year long residency ending with her first Solo exhibition, ‘Walking Towards the Mountain’. Currently based in Glasgow Laura has continued to exhibit across Scotland and is preparing to begin a Masters in Painting at Glasgow School of Art.

She has a ‘Paint Rock Scanner’ inspired by the first MRI machine, NMR1, showcased in The Suttie Arts Space. The piece is an interactive experience where visitors can place a ‘Paint Rock’ on the scanner and information appears and sounds from a monitor focusing on interpretation of colours. The idea is to open up to the viewer their own unique personal experience upon each visit to the exhibition. The accompanying paintings are made in an almost archaeological manner, built up in layers, with the surfaces are scraped and scratched away to reveal deconstructing and reconstructing.

Exhibition Handout

Exhibition Floor Plan

Flo Gordon

Flo Gordon and Frances Disley

Flo Gordon

Frances Disley

Laura McGlinchey

Frances Disley

Flo Gordon

Mustard Blanket

Frances Disley, Flo Gordon and Laura McGlinchey

Laura McGlinchey

Exhibition photographs by Mike Davidson

This commission was funded by Creative Scotland and Aberdeen City Council

Other Exhibitions

← Katie Hammond and Alison Gray | INSCAPE Eilidh McNair | Alignments →

Getting Here

Directions

The Suttie Arts Space and The Small Gallery, open 24/7, are within Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

We recommend entering from the Hospital Main Entrance which is situated on Foresterhill Road.

The Suttie Art Space
Entering from the main entrance follow the directions to the PINK zone – this is on the same floor as the entrance (floor 2). Walk past the cafe and shops and veer right onto the corridor. The Suttie Arts Space is approx 50m on your right.

The Small Gallery
Entering from the main entrance follow the directions to the YELLOW zone – this is on floor 1 which is one floor lower than the entrance. Walk past the cafe and shops and head down the stairs on your left – The Small Gallery is located on the corridor under the stairs. Lift access is available directly forward behind the reception counter and seating on floor 2.

Parking
Parking is available at the Lady Wood Car Park on Foresterhill Road opposite the main entrance to the Hospital.

Public Transport
The nearest train station is Aberdeen Station situated in the city centre.
There are frequent busses running to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Routes are run by Stagecoach and First Bus.

Further Information

THE SUTTIE ARTS SPACE (TSAS) FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Who manages TSAS?
Grampian Hospital Arts Trust (GHAT) manages TSAS. GHAT is an independent art and health organisation that exists to enhance the wellbeing and experience of all who spend time in NHS Grampian hospitals, whether patients, visitors or staff. We achieve this by promoting the enjoyment of, and participation in, high-quality artistic activity alongside the provision of a sympathetic and pleasing environment.

What is the purpose of TSAS?
The Suttie Arts Space was built with a primary role as a place to enjoy art and to enjoy time out from the medical environment. Full details can be found here

What are TSAS’s opening hours?
TSAS is open 24 hours during exhibitions periods.

Who can access TSAS?
Currently, only users of ARI – patients, staff and visitors. Under normal circumstances, TSAS would host workshops and events for the public.

Can I exclusively book TSAS for a team meeting?
TSAS is open to all onsite 24/7, therefore cannot be booked. This is to ensure that everyone on-site can have access to the space.

How many people can visit TSAS at one time?
The maximum capacity of TSAS is 15. As with everywhere in the hospital, visitors need to adhere to social distancing rules when visiting the gallery.

Is TSAS supervised?
Currently, the TSAS is unsupervised due to covid-19. All users are asked to use the space responsibly and help us keep it open for everyone by reporting anything unusual to GHAT via email at gram.hospitalsarttrust@nhs.scot.

Can I eat my lunch in the gallery?
Yes, of course. Please however leave the gallery as you found it & dispose of any rubbish.

How regularly is the gallery cleaned?
NHSG cleaners access TSAS three times per day.

Can I move the furniture?
Yes, please ensure you are 2 metres from other visitors at all times while also keeping walkways clear. Before you leave TSAS, we kindly ask that you put the seats back to their original spot.

Does TSAS ever close?
Yes, TSAS closes around once per quarter for two weeks while the gallery is changed over. From time to time, we may shut the gallery for a few hours to allow for deep cleaning, or any other activities required to deliver our full program of activities.

Can my staff get access to the TSAS office?
GHAT staff continue to work in the office when unable to work from home. When not in use, the office is locked for security and health and safety reasons.

I have a query about TSAS, who do I talk to?
Please email us on gram.hospitalsarttrust@nhs.scot with “TSAS Query” in the subject header.

NHSG TEAM LEADERS

Where can I find keys to the gallery?
Keys are not required to access the gallery as it is open 24/7.

Can I use TSAS for regular team meetings?
TSAS is open to everyone, and there’s not a booking system for exclusive access. If you do use TSAS for a meeting be aware that there may be others using the space at the same time as you so social distancing rules and the maximum capacity will need to be adhered to.

THE SMALL GALLERY INFORMATION AND HOW TO APPLY

GHAT has been programming exhibitions in The Small Gallery at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary since 2013 and welcome proposals all year round.

This is an excellent opportunity for new graduates and early career artists looking to exhibit their work in a unique space. We also invite applications from local and national artists at all levels of their careers.

The successful applicants will be fully supported by GHAT Curators, Marketing and Exhibitions team.

We welcome written, audio and video applications.

To Apply

Please download and read the application document below:

Exhibition Application – word doc

Exhibition Application – pdf doc

For further information please contact us at

gram.hospitalsarttrust@nhs.scot
01224 552429

The Art Office
Grampian Hospitals Art Trust
Foresterhill
Aberdeen
AB25 2ZN

Exhibition Terms and Conditions:

SUITABILITY OF ARTWORK
GHAT reserves the right not to show any artwork which is deemed unsuitable for exhibition in the hospital environment without further reference to the artist(s).

INSTALLATION
The exhibitor is responsible for transport to and from the venue. The Small Gallery is situated on one of the busiest corridors in ARI, therefore a GHAT staff member will supervise and organise the installation of artwork. All work to be installed on the walls of The Small Gallery must be fitted with mirror plates. Please advise if you are unable to provide these.

INSURANCE
The GHAT insurance policy will cover artworks on display, though there is an excess of £250, which would be met equally by GHAT and the exhibitor, unless responsibility could be clearly demonstrated. The Small Gallery is covered by security video cameras but is accessible 24 hours per day so work needs to be well secured and relatively tamper proof.

INTERPRETATION
GHAT will produce the exhibition list and any other information to be displayed in The Small Gallery. The artist will supply a list of all works with titles and prices, an Artist’s Statement and a current CV. The artist will also supply an image to be used for the invitation, which will be required two months prior to the exhibition date, along with an appropriate title for the exhibition.

PUBLICITY
GHAT will issue a Press Release and information for listings in local and national papers. Other ads can be placed by arrangement with GHAT. GHAT will cover costs of printing posters, flyers and all mailouts.

SALES AND COMMISSION
A standard rate of commission is charged at 33% of the gross selling price. Artists will receive a statement of sales as soon as all works sold have been paid for, payment will be made to the artist within 30 days of the exhibition being taken down. GHAT is not registered for VAT.

FEE
There is no fee awarded with this exhibition application. GHAT will cover the cost of marketing, installation and insurance.

Galleries Curator

Tamsin Greenlaw | tamsin.greenlaw@nhs.scot
Tel. 01224 551776

The Suttie Arts Space
Grampian Hospitals Art Trust
Foresterhill
Aberdeen
AB25 2ZN