Entries are being invited for a North-east exhibition providing artists with the opportunity to showcase their creativity and vision in linking geology and science.
The Fabric of the Land, sponsored by Senergy, has established itself as one of the most exciting events in the UK national arts calendar since it was first launched in 2008.
Organised by the University of Aberdeen’s geology and petroleum geology department and curated by SMART Consultants, the event has seen a growing number of professional and amateur artists – including, painters, sculptors and photographers – submit work for consideration in the exhibition which features around 70 geology-inspired creative pieces of art.
The event attracted a record number of entries last year with more than 200 creative works submitted – almost double the number of entries in 2010.
This year’s theme is focused on ‘footprints that nature leaves on the landscape’. The artwork to feature in the exhibition will be chosen by a selection panel made up of artists and business people, including Senergy’s Global Subsurface Business Leader, Henry Allen.
Previous members of the selection panel have included Mozambique-born artist Nuno Sacramento, who is currently Director of the Scottish Sculpture Workshop near Huntly, which provides residencies, training and exhibition opportunities for visual artists. Also on the panel was renowned Scottish artist, Frances Walker, who is represented in many private and corporate collections including the Art Gallery, Ontario, Canada, the Robert Fleming Collection, London, the Royal Scottish Academy, and the University of Western Australia.
Entry forms must be received by July 2. The exhibition opens to the public on August 25 and will run until September 16 with the University’s geology department set to be transformed once again into a contemporary gallery which hosted more than 700 visitors last year.
Professor Andrew Hurst, from the University’s School of Geosciences, is looking forward to the exhibition and casting his eye on the new works of art. “It is with much anticipation that we wait to see what exciting pieces of art are submitted for our consideration,” he said. “I am always amazed at not just the quality but the vision and care that goes into aligning geology with science in an artistic form. It’s no wonder that, as a result, we are attracting a growing number of artists as well as visitors to the exhibition.”
Henry Allen said: “Geology is at the core of the energy industry and we boast a wealth of talent in this incredibly complex field. Being able to create thought provoking and diverse works of art which mirror the influence of geology on the landscape is incredible. We are very much looking forward to viewing this year’s submissions and continue to be in awe of the artistic talent we have in the UK.”
Find out more about Fabric of the Land at: www.fabricoftheland.com