ATLAS Talking Arts Series – Graham Fagen

25 Sep 2012 in Highland, Visual Arts & Crafts

Saturday 6 October 2012, 2.00 – 3.00 PM

Tigh-na-Sgire, Park Lane, Portree, Isle of Skye

Graham Fagen lives in Glasgow and is a Senior Lecturer at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design. He works in a variety of mediums including installations, photography, sculpture, text and video. Through his practice, Fagen investigates cultural formers, exploring what shapes our own cultural identity and considering how our cultural identity influences our understanding and interactions with other cultures.

Fagen’s recent works include a video project on the subject of “the missing,” commissioned for the collection of the National Galleries of Scotland; and “The Making of Us,” a collaborative project between Fagen and theatre director Graham Eatough. Working also with director of photography Michael McDonough and film producer Angela Murray, “The Making of Us,” explored film in relation to live events and their future representation. Glasgow International Festival of Visual Art developed the project in partnership with the National Theatre of Scotland; it benefited from the prestigious Creative Scotland Vital Sparks award.

Graham said creating the work The Missing was and extremely difficult process, the video work considers the impact on the lives of friends and family when loved ones disappear. Talking about the work he said:

‘I thought my experience as the War Artist for Kosovo would help me deal with such a difficult subject area, however, nothing could prepare me for the stories of the missing, the uncertainty of not knowing and the hope that one day they may return.’

In 1999, Fagen was invited by the Imperial War Museum, London, to work as the Official War Artist for Kosovo. His international exhibitions include the Busan Biennale, South Korea; the Art and Industry Biennial, New Zealand, and the 50th Venice Biennale.

Emma Nicolson ATLAS Director said… “ATLAS Arts is delighted to present a talk by such a significant artist Graham Fagen, who will discuss his current practice in the penultimate of a series of seven artist’s talks which have been taking place from May to November. The final event in the series features Nicky Bird who will present in particular her recent work the archeology of the ordinary.

ATLAS is an arts organisation working “without walls.” We are keen to offer our audiences insight in to the work of creative practitioners. This is an exciting opportunity for the public to come along and hear about the many ways in which artworks come into being.

Everyone is welcome to attend this event, but spaces are limited.

Booking: Advisable; please book through admin@atlasarts.org.uk tel: 01463 720886

Admission: Free

Duration: 60 minutes

Source: ATLAS