Exhibitions

Venue: Aberdeen Art Gallery, Aberdeen

Dates: 1st November 2007–27th January 2008

SCOTLAND AND VENICE 2007

ABERDEEN ART GALLERY HOSTS HOMECOMING VENICE BIENNALE EXHIBITION

A homecoming exhibition featuring the work of six of Scotland’s most exciting and innovative artists, selected to represent the country at this year’s 52nd Venice Biennale, will be unveiled to the public on Saturday (1 December) at Aberdeen Art Gallery.

Hosted by the Scottish Arts Council, National Galleries of Scotland and British Council, and curated by Philip Long, Scotland and Venice 2007 features the work of Charles Avery, Henry Coombes, Louise Hopkins, Rosalind Nashashibi, Lucy Skaer and Tony Swain.

The exhibition which runs until 27 January provides Scottish audiences with the opportunity to experience the critically acclaimed presentation, and is the result of a partnership between Scotland and Venice 2007 and Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums, supported by the Aberdeen City Council-City Growth Fund.

Scotland and Venice 2007 continues to build on a distinguished history of Scottish participation at the Biennale. Commenting, Curator, Philip Long said: ‘Art from Scotland is at one of its most progressive moments and our chosen artists represent this position in the form of six highly individual talents. As with the heterogeneous character of the Biennale, the work of Charles Avery, Henry Coombes, Louise Hopkins, Rosalind Nashashibi, Lucy Skaer and Tony Swain is diverse, exciting and unpredictable.

Each artist, however, seems to us to share as part of their concern an interest in cultural similarities and differences, and the issues such differences present. Some on occasion use invented worlds to investigate their concerns; others make use of comparisons, real situations or look back into history. What is clear is that each artist works with such ability and often with such surprising and new means that they have the power to alter perceptions.

Scotland’s internationally recognised art schools, a highly supportive network of fellow artists, and a range of galleries and funding opportunities form part of the reason why artists of such ability maintain their connection with this country. We hope that the invitation to exhibit in Venice encourages the selected and other artists to think of Scotland as a place which can provide an expanding range of opportunities, not only at home but also abroad. The Venice Biennale provides global exposure and we feel each of the selected artists are at a particular point in their career when such an opportunity will bring the wider attention they deserve, as has been the case for artists involved in Scotland’s previous presentations.’