Wee folk and fascinating faces: RGU exhibitions launch

Artwork by two Robert Gordon University graduates is set to be displayed as part of North East Open Studios Week 2010 at the University’s Garthdee Campus from Saturday 11 September.

Now in its 7th year, North East Open Studios is Scotland’s largest open studios event of its kind, offering a unique opportunity for the public to explore and access the wealth of artistic talent across Aberdeenshire.

As part of the Open Studios week, the University will host and display two art exhibitions by Gray’s School of Art graduates David Lloyd and Mark Moynihan.

Members of the public can discover and learn about the mythical ‘wee folk’ of the Shetland Isles at David Lloyd’s exhibition in the Georgina Scott Sutherland Library in Aberdeen Business School.

David’s exhibition tells his outrageous tale of miniature skeletal remains supposedly found on the islands and reveals so-called ‘evidence’ of these fabled creatures.

Meanwhile in the Faculty of Health and Social Care, visitors can view Mark Moynihan’s compelling portrait work. After exhibiting a striking series of health worker portraits at Grampian Hospital Art Trust Gallery in 2008, Mark is back with a wider range of fascinating faces.

Using portraiture to open up the idea that no individual has a single identifiable identity, Mark uses a variety of media to hold the viewer’s attention whilst introducing his central philosophy that looks can be deceiving.

Jane Kidd, Collections Curator at the University’s Art and Heritage Collections, said “North East Open Studios Week is a great chance to see some engaging and unusual work by local artists. The University is thrilled to not only be taking part but to be exhibiting work by our own graduates who are actively creating unique art work in the local community.”

The exhibitions are open from 8am-10pm Mondays to Fridays, 9am-7pm on Saturdays and 11am-9pm Sundays. Both exhibitions are open to the public at the University until 31st December.

For more information on North East Open Studios Week and the University’s Art and Heritage Collections, please visit www.northeastopenstudios.co.uk and www.collections.rgu.ac.uk.