2007 Awardee: Alana Florence

I’d like to thank the trustees for presenting me with the award. This is a wonderful opportunity for my design ideas to flourish in the extravagant city of London.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 23
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Aberdeen-based Alana is considered to be a talented artist who is able to take ordinary objects or figures and transform them on paper or fabric into something extraordinary. She describes herself as “a quirky colourful individual who flourished in the quiet country.”
A graduate of Gray’s School of Art where she studied textile and surface design, Alana’s tutors considered her to be an exciting student to teach. She has innovative and fresh ideas and possesses a highly individual and imaginative use of colour. Her final show at university stood out amongst a group of high-quality students.

Alana was delighted to be accepted onto the MA course in Textile Futures at Central St Martin’s in London and describes her aims on the course to ‘create something extraordinary and challenging.’ She aims to bring ‘fabric to life with outbursts of colour, pattern and quirky illustrations.’ After graduation she sold a collection of her works to an Aberdeen boutique and exhibited in the Wallace Gallery in London.

Alana is one of a growing number of Scottish textile designers supported by a Dewar Arts Award to develop their terrific creativity. Central St Martin’s is the place to study fashion and is extremely difficult to gain entry.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will provide financial assistance for Alana to pursue an MA in Textile Futures at Central St Martin’s in London.

Since the Award

Alana writes that an integral part of her course was to understand how science and design can be combined, which led to her designing a moving toothbrush which speaks the words ‘up’ and ‘down’. After successfully graduating with an MA in Textile Futures Alana plans to develop her ideas of pop-up wallpaper and kinetic textiles for fashion and interiors.

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I’d like to thank the trustees for presenting me with the award. This is a wonderful opportunity for my design ideas to flourish in the extravagant city of London.

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2007 Awardee: Hayley Scanlan

I would just like to say how thankful and grateful I am for you to pick me and how much it will benefit the rest of my time here in LA

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 23
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Whilst she was just three-quarters of the way through her degree in textile design at Duncan of Jordanstone, Dundee-born Hayley Scanlan was offered the chance in a professional life-time of a nine-month unpaid internship with top fashion designer Jeremy Scott based in his studio in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles.
The offer was the chance to work with Jeremy Scott on a print design for inclusion in his Spring/Summer 2008 collection, ultimately to be shown at the LA, Paris and New York Fashion Weeks. This is the kind of work which Hayley had dreamed of doing since she was a young girl.

Hayley’s major strengths are a creative energy and ability to understand and react to fashion trends, attributes which won her the internship. Her talent, particularly in fashion related areas, and the high standard of her finished work are abilities which will undoubtedly enable her to succeed in textile design in fashion.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award enabled Hayley to complete her internship in LA. Her striking print designs were part of Jeremy Scott’s collection at the Paris and LA Fashion weeks in late 2007.

Since the Award

During her time at the Jeremy Scott studio, Hayley worked on ready-to-wear collections for Paris Fashion Week. This experience gave her an “intense insight into the reality of the hard work and dedication involved in the fashion industry”. After the internship, Hayley returned to Dundee to finish her degree. On the opening night of her degree show she caught the eye of the head of the British Fashion Council and of model Erin O’Connor who commissioned a copy of one of Hayley’s garments in her collection. Hayley is now working hard to establish her own fashion and textile label.

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I would just like to say how thankful and grateful I am for you to pick me and how much it will benefit the rest of my time here in LA

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2007 Awardee: Jonathan Boyd

I would like to thank …. everyone at Dewar Arts Awards for this truly amazing opportunity.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 23
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Aberdeen-born Jonathan Boyd has been designing jewellery to wear since he was sixteen years old. He gained entry to Glasgow School of Art to pursue his passion for jewellery design, where he graduated with a first-class honours degree. He won the Richard Hubbard Memorial Prize while at the GSA.

Jonathan’s work is mostly narrative based and his most recent collection focussed on remembrance and personal memory. His degree show stood out from work by his contemporaries and compared convincingly with mature work by respected British and European makers.

Since graduation, Jonathan has produced both private commissions and exhibited at the major jewellery exhibitions and galleries, including Galerie Marzee (Holland), Dazzle’s Winter Exhibition in London and New Designers Section, which is an exhibition of the 50 best designers who exhibited at New Designers 2006. Jonathan was also runner-up for the 2006 Designer of the Year Award.

Pursuing an MA at the Royal College of Art is the next step for Jonathan to extend his technical skills and to develop conceptually.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help finance Jonathan to pursue an MA in metalsmithing, goldsmithing, silversmithing and jewellery at the Royal College of Art, London.

Since the Award

During his two years at RCA, Jonathan won a number of prizes including the Wadesddon Manor Commended Award and Marzee International Graduate Award and, principally, the Theo Fennel Award for Overall Excellence at the RCA Graduate Show. He was also shortlisted for the Conran Award 2009. Since finishing his MA, Jonathan has exhibited in several high-profile galleries.

Alongside his creative work he returns to the Glasgow School of Art as a lecturer/tutor. Of his work, Jonathan writes that it “addresses themes of written language, text and the object and their complex and intricate relationships.”

April 2014: Jonathan designed the medals for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games (read more here)

January 2013: Jonathan’s work was exhibited as part of our Tenth Anniversary Exhibition, Roots to Shoots.

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I would like to thank …. everyone at Dewar Arts Awards for this truly amazing opportunity.

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2007 Awardee: Keith Gray

This award will allow me to completely concentrate on my work without the financial stress and worry that I would have had without it … I am very grateful.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 29
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Aberdeen-born Keith put himself through a first degree at Central St Martin’s London to study fashion print, as he could not pursue this at a college in Scotland. While studying at Central St Martin’s he worked on a number of design collections which were subsequently shown in London, Milan and Paris Fashion weeks.

In 2007, his graduate collection of menswear, using all his own prints, was chosen by Central St Martin’s to be shown at the York Hall Press Show. Only a handful of students are fortunate enough to be selected. His tutor says of his final show that it ‘displayed a mature, restrained subtlety and attention to detail that distinguished him from his peers .. and his work reveals a wit and intelligence that never becomes too obvious or overstated.” Keith was awarded a first-class for his practical work.

Keith went on to win a place on the prestigious MA course in Printed Textiles at the Royal College of Art to develop his textile design creativity.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award contributed towards Keith’s tuition fees and living expenses.

Since the Award

After his first year at RCA, Keith writes, “This year … has been hugely beneficial for me as a designer and as a person. My work, ideas and technical skills have all developed and matured giving me the confidence and a clear vision of what I wish to do in the future as a designer. Without the generous help of the Dewar Arts Award this year would not have been so successful for me..” Keith’s support has been extended for a second and final year.

Keith successfully graduated with MA Textiles from the Royal College of Art. As well as submitting a full and comprehensive portfolio for his textiles examinations, he was invited to show a full collection at the RCA catwalk show, something which is extremely rare. The current economic climate (late 2009) is not a good time to start out in fashion. Keith has started up his own fashion label specialising in mens’ shirting whilst also seeking an internship with a major designer.

He writes, “Without [your] belief and financial support …., I would not have been able to take full advantage of the RCA’s teaching and resources and this in turn has given me the freedom to work late at night and during weekends always giving my full attention and commitment to my studies. The enormous commitment from the Dewar award has given me a unique opportunity to create a solid platform for my future.”

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This award will allow me to completely concentrate on my work without the financial stress and worry that I would have had without it … I am very grateful.

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2007 Awardee: Marie O’Connor

I am writing to say a huge thank you…. I am thrilled! It will be an enormous help to me in my studies.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 28
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

From Nitshill in Glasgow, Marie O’Connor graduated from Glasgow School of Art in 1999. After a few years working in the industry, Marie has made the decision to go back into full-time study and won a place on the highly competitive masters course in Mixed Media Textiles at the Royal College of Art in London.

Marie finds the prospect of studying at RCA very exciting, an environment which she says will inspire creativity, collaboration and critical debate between students from a wide range of backgrounds and training. Marie’s current folio is both interesting and exciting and full of experimentation, showing that she will take full advantage of the opportunities that studying at RCA present.

Marie’s work could take her in many directions, into fashion, design or visual arts. She is a name to remember.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help support Marie through her studies at RCA.

Since the Award

Marie writes that her two years at the Royal College of Art were “fun, stressful, inspirational, hectic, and ultimately really rewarding”. During her time there, she won first prize in a project for an international trend predictions company for her conceptual approach and textile samples. Collaborating with students of womenswear and accessories, she was runner-up in a design competition to produce a capsule collection for a well-known high-street fashion brand. The trio hope to continue their successful collaboration into their professional careers.

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I am writing to say a huge thank you…. I am thrilled! It will be an enormous help to me in my studies.

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2007 Awardee: Selina Law

I have already started research work, and am excited at the possibilities this award will give me. Thanks again.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2007
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Originally from Northern Ireland, Selina moved to Scotland to study textile design. She gained a first-class honours degree specialising in woven textiles and continues to live and work in Dundee, where she is currently designer in residence at Duncan of Jordanstone College.

In 2005 Selina won the Society of Dyers and Colourists’ Colour in Textile award and in the following year was selected as one of six weave designers by the Texprint group as a ‘star designer of the future’. Other awards which Selina has won include the Veronica Bell Award for Colour in Textiles, which included in the prize the opportunity for her designs to be incorporated into textiles used for menswear, and the F&A Bradshaw Award for a research trip to Japan.

Selina has showcased her work at First View, Chelsea, Indigo and in Premier Vision in Paris. Her clients include Calvin Klein. Her textiles are considered to be ‘exquisite, beautifully designed and perfectly executed’.

Selina is currently working to create a new fashion accessory collection.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award will help to fund the creation of Selina’s accessory collection.

Since the Award

Selina writes that the knitted collection she produced is ‘a capsule collection based on the theme of perspective….the pieces I have produced are almost what one would call knitted jewellery, in both function and theme’. Selina went on to teach textiles to students of all abilities, some with special educational needs. Alongside her teaching she continues to design and develop new collections and research into sustainable fashion and textiles.

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I have already started research work, and am excited at the possibilities this award will give me. Thanks again.

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2006 Awardee: Jamie Tetsill

I was so thrilled and honoured to receive an award

YEAR OF AWARD: 2006
AGE AT AWARD: 24
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

Brought up in Falkirk, Jamie Tetsill graduated from Glasgow School of Art in 2005 with a first-class honours degree in textile design. After graduation, Jamie was one of 24 young hopeful fashion designers to be invited to showcase his work at international fashion exhibitions in London and Paris.

This confirmed his ambition to embark on a career in fashion. James successfully competed for a place on the prestigious and intense masters in fashion at Central St. Martins, London, which has launched the careers of many of Britain’s brightest and hottest fashion designers.

As an undergraduate, Jamie impressed with his outstanding creativity and ability to challenge orthodox approaches with flair and panache. Twenty-four year old Jamie is working towards his fashion collection to complete his Masters. It promises to combine both creativity and experimentation to produce an interesting and dynamic collection.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Awards helped fund the costs of making and producing Jamie’s final collection.

Since the Award

While still at Central St Martins, Jamie was invited to meet legendary designer Donna Karen and talk her through his folio of designs. He was one of only 20 MA students to be invited to show his degree collection during London Fashion Week. This resulted in lots of media attention after which Jamie was nominated for one of the Scottish Fashion Award’s New Talent Awards.

As part of the Glasgow Fashion Collective, Jamie showed his second collection the following year at London Fashion Week. He is now developing his own label.

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I was so thrilled and honoured to receive an award

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2006 Awardee: Lee Borwick

I am overjoyed at the news of my award from the Dewar Art Awards, so generous and kind.

YEAR OF AWARD: 2006
AGE AT AWARD: 22
ARTFORMS: ,
WEBSITE:https://www.leeborthwick.co.uk
 
 

Biography

Originally from Galashiels, Lee Borthwick graduated with a first-class honours from Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen. She received the John Grays Legacy while an undergraduate and was also nominated by Gray’s for the BP Prize.

While an undergraduate Lee took part in an exchange scheme and spent some time in Finland, which had a significant influence on her creative work. She was intrigued by the empty landscapes, wild nature, icy colours and abandoned wooden houses and developed a range of fabrics exploring the surface of wood and markings created by nature.

Lee, like many people of her generation, is concerned about the environment and interested in using eco-friendly, sustainable textiles.

After graduating, Lee won a place on the highly competitive Masters course in Constructed Textiles at the Royal College of Art in London. Lee’s outstanding talent and intellect approach to textile design will no doubt take her far both nationally and internationally.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Award provides crucial financial support to Lee while studying at the RCA, London.

Lee’s funding has been continued for a further year into 2007. She writes, “I always aimed to keep my personal voice amongst so many testing projects. Through this … I was nominated to be one of the exhibitors as part of the ‘Out of the Blue’ exhibition this summer. I was selected as one of 23 students out of 90 who applied.”

Since the Award

Lee graduated with an MA in Constructed Textiles after a year which she describes as being ‘the most exciting, challenging and inspiring year of my life so far.’ Sustainability and the environment are key issues in Lee’s practice.  A collaborative project with a fellow student in Printed Textiles was shortlisted by Valpak, the leading provider of recycling solutions for the UK.

During her final year, Lee was awarded the John Dunsmore Scholarship, giving her the opportunity to visit Nepal to work with a community of weavers. She plans to help them develop products such as bags and clothing for the local market. Her final degree collection of work was shown in the Modern and Contemporary Art and Design Auction, arranged by auctioneers Lyon and Turnbull.

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I am overjoyed at the news of my award from the Dewar Art Awards, so generous and kind.

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2006 Awardee: Malcolm Cruickshank

It has been really lovely that ‘unknown’ people in the field of the arts have recognised my worth and been prepared to put their faith in my abilities

YEAR OF AWARD: 2006
AGE AT AWARD: 23
ARTFORMS: ,
 
 
 

Biography

Malcolm Cruickshank is a graduate of Cumbria Institute of the Arts and his ambition is to develop a successful career in the applied arts.

Born and brought up in Edinburgh, Malcolm is an innovative designer and maker. He excels at combining the unusual and unconventional to create well designed objects that function.

These objects have ranged from ‘wearable art’ to lighting and seating and incorporate embroidery, weave, felt, rubber and ‘found materials’. He is particularly ingenious at seeing the potential in recycled materials.
Since a young boy, Malcolm has been fascinated by the whole process of craft making and impressed craft workers whom he spent time observing with his passion and raw creativity.

One of the solo exhibitions which Malcolm was offered in 2006, titled ‘Haute Kilture’ to present a range of alternative kilts and accessories, was supported by an Award.

How the Award Helped

The Dewar Arts Awards contributed towards the costs of Malcolm’s 2006 Jedburgh exhibition ‘Haute Kilture’.

Before the exhibition opened, Malcolm was offered a six-month appointment by Midlothian as a schools’ Artist in Residence. He writes, “I have no doubt that [this award] must have been at least a contributing factor to their final decision.”

Since the Award

After the exhibition, Malcolm was approached by a London gallery who wished to mount his exhibition during London Fashion Week in March 2007. In March 2008 he received the Morton Fraser Award from Visual Arts Scotland.

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It has been really lovely that ‘unknown’ people in the field of the arts have recognised my worth and been prepared to put their faith in my abilities

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2006 Awardee: Sarah Hutchison

YEAR OF AWARD: 2006
AGE AT AWARD: 23
ARTFORMS: , ,
 
 
 

Biography

The professor of silversmithing at the Edinburgh College of Art ranks Sarah as “one of the two remarkable fine metalworkers I have encountered during my teaching career.” The other being Andrew Lamb, Dewar Arts Award winner in 2003.

The most remarkable aspect of Sarah’s work is that within a very ancient craft she has found an innovative way of making silversmithing pieces. By breaking historic ‘rules’ she is developing an entirely fresh way of working.
Sarah is also very unusual in that she works comfortably and skillfully in both silversmithing and jewellery. Sarah injects an entirely feminine and decorative aesthetic to functional objects by including stones and pearls within silversmithing pieces.

Already winner of several prestigious awards, including 2004 Student Designer of the Year, Sarah is “an ambitious spirit” who consistently produces exciting, fresh and radical work.

Originally from Port Seton near Edinburgh, Sarah is ready to take her place on the international arena.

The Dewar Arts Award will enable Sarah to design and produce three large-scale objects in silver and gold and support a study visit to Mexico to develop her ideas.

Since the Award

Sarah successfully completed a magnificant candelabra, a pair of water jugs and a milk and sugar set to go with a teapot (see images in her gallery) during her year supported by an Award.  She would not have made the teaset on speculation, yet it beautifully showcases her incredible talent as a silversmith.

Sarah writes, “My Dewar Award came at a great time for me in my career.  I was feeling confident and inspired to make bigger pieces.  I would never have been able to finance myself and I really have learnt a great deal over the past year.”

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