Shop Local – From Dawn to Dusk / From Dee to Don
The Suttie Arts Space, ARI
12th June – 10th October 2021
For this exhibition we have chosen a variety of works by a large number of artists. It is always fascinating to see how different artists choose to express themselves, even though the subject can be very similar. All of the works on show have a connection to Aberdeen – either by portraying the city centre with its shops and cinemas, the main streets and views of well-known pubs and places of interest. A selected hub of activity where people over the years have met up, shopped and browsed along these streets.
And then we go on a journey, looking at images that take us to the well-known ‘Fittie’ and the nearby beach and the bridges that can link the various locations – from Dee to Don or the beautiful Balgownie.
Then take an even closer look. See how artists have ‘shopped’ for their own inspiration and the choices they have made – a record of what remains and the changes to the urban landscape of Aberdeen, captured forever in these images, and expressed creatively in the written responses. Seeing how each artist has a certain palette of colour they have worked with, buildings they have omitted, to draw in the eye of the viewer, giving us all a glimpse into their world while all along portraying ours.
Exhibition Curator Biography – Mike Waight
Originally from Dorset on the south coast of England, Michael Waight has lived and worked in Aberdeen since the mid 1980s. For many years he worked at Peacock Visual Arts, concentrating on helping artists with Etching and Relief printing, leaving in 2019 to concentrate on other self-employed projects. He is currently working for the Provost James Rae Trust, helping to archive a life time’s work for a leading Scottish artist, with half of his time spent in Edinburgh. Outwith this, he has continued teaching both in the city and shire and has been a visiting lecturer at Gray’s School of Art here in Aberdeen and at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee. Over many years he has selected, judged and hung a wide variety of exhibitions. He continues to be a practicing artist in his own right and has most recently shown work in the Royal Academy in London, selling out an entire edition of his exhibited print. There are a number of examples of his earlier work in the GHAT Collection, with more recent work shown at exhibitions at the Rendezvous Gallery, Aberdeen and the Open Eye Gallery in Edinburgh.
* Please be aware in light of the current situation The Suttie Arts Space is only open to users of Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. This includes all staff, patients and their visitors. For more information on The Suttie Arts Space please go to our Frequently Asked Questions page.
This exhibition has been funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund, Rayne Foundation, and Aberdeen City Council
Exhibition photographs by Mike Davidson.