JACQUELINE BENNETT looks back on this year’s degree show at Moray College.

MORAY COLLEGE’S B.A. Fine Art degree show again delivered a high overall standard of graduate artwork.

Gillian Finch’s quiet homage to the Boxing Day tsunami victims left not a sense of grief but of beautiful serenity. Simple and still, names and detailed drawings adorn the walls, circling a salt- encrusted domestic set-up.

If you could step over the shoes left on the floor without reflection on the lives lost then you may appreciate neighbouring artist Jane Foster’s work. Although brightly coloured, this plain work of wire and wood sends a different chill down your spine.

Work by Gillian Finch

“Highlighting the unobserved spaces such as light switches” (I read this in her statement blue-tacked to the wall next to a light-switch), I wasn’t quite sure what I was supposed to be seeing. Often minimalism is about the mysterious interaction between the object and the space around it. In this body of work to see something there instead of nothing much required a big effort, and I didn’t have the time or the inclination.

My only other concern about work in a degree show so strong in identity would be the execution of Mary Jenkins’ degree show. Making is as important as concept, and the careless construction of her photographic triptychs unfortunately stood out.

Amanda MacLeod’s work gladly brought me back some feeling. Watching a video of the artist herself in a mock personal ad, we were reminded of the subtleties and frailties of just being ourselves. In a world of air- brushed beauty and pretence, MacLeod’s honesty humbles us with her wistful fireside installation and storytelling photography.

There are 9 students this year who have completed this UHI BA Fine Art degree; next year the role will double. Moray College’s Fine Art division is fast becoming recognised for producing strong independent artists north of the central belt, and this must go down to the expert leadership of Gina Wall, the course director.

Must we wait another year, though, for such a stimulating exhibition…

Jacqueline Bennett is an Arts Development Worker with Moray Council

© Jacqueline Bennett, 2005