ANNIESLAND STUDENT TAKES GOLD AT CRAFTEX 2008 : Trades House of Glasgow

ANNIESLAND STUDENT TAKES GOLD AT CRAFTEX 2008

Student artist Ailean Stuart (28) from Kelvinbridge, Glasgow, has won best in show Gold Medal honours for his aluminium and steel sculpture of a mask, at the Trades House of Glasgow annual craft awards and exhibition, Craftex 2008.

The Anniesland College student, a former pupil at Hillhead High School, has just completed his first year of an HND in Contemporary Art Practice. He was presented with his coveted Gold Medal by Deacon Convener of the Trades of Glasgow, Ian Dunsmore, at the opening of the four day exhibition, which tool place in the grand setting of the Trades Hall until Sunday 15 June.

Ailean (Gaelic for Alan) took the influence for his sculpture from Buddhist literature and the theory that identity is fragmented. He produced the mask in four separate metal sections that, when viewed from the front, create the illusion of one single piece. It is entitled “Nagasena Questioning King Milinda”. When he completes his studies next year, Ailean hopes to move in to film production design.

Craftex 2008 showcases and rewards the very best traditional and modern crafts, design and technology skills taught at Glasgow’s colleges of further education. It presents the very best curriculum work prepared by students across a wide variety subjects.

Bailie Liz Cameron judged the event this year, selecting Ailean as Metal Sculpture Advanced winner – one of 47 category winners chosen out of hundreds of pieces now on show at Craftex – before awarding him the Gold Medal. Each winner receives a cheque for either £200 for advanced or £150 for non-advanced categories.

Other top awards included Best Design selected by the Deacon Convener, which went to Naomi Wright, also a student at Anniesland, for her sunflower sculpture. The Scottish Glass Society presented an award for best glasswork, won by Helen Campbell of the Metropolitan College for her stained glass window depicting galloping white horses.

Deacon Convener Ian Dunsmore said: “We continue to find the standard of entries getting better each year, demonstrating that many of our traditional crafts are still flourishing alongside new technology skills. As well as showcasing these crucial skills that are still being honed by our colleges across Glasgow today, Craftex provides just reward for the hard work of the students themselves.

“With business and careers representatives amongst the thousands attracted to the exhibition each year, Craftex has proved to be a significant platform for students seeking employment or even launching their own business. Our congratulations go to Ailean, Naomi and all our category winners.”

The comprehensive crafts and skills represented this year were art, bookbinding, breadmaking, cake decoration, ceramics, craft engineering, creative writing, embroidery, fashion, furniture making, gardening, graphic art, industrial design, jewellery, millinery, musical instruments, new media, painting, photography, pottery, sculptures, stained glass, stonemasonry, textile design and video.

Contributing colleges are Anniesland, Cardonald, Glasgow Metropolitan, John Wheatley, Langside, Nautical, North Glasgow and Stow College.

“The event would not be possible without the support of our sponsors, the Scottish Government, Tilney Private Wealth Management, Melville Exhibitions, Glasgow City Council, Thomas Tunnock Ltd, J Chandler & Co, the Merchants House of Glasgow, Scottish Goldsmiths Trust, the Weavers Society of Anderston, Scottish Engineering and our own 14 Incorporated Trades of Glasgow, to whom we are extremely grateful,” said Ian Dunsmore. “The level of support reflects the growing reputation that Craftex now enjoys.”