University of Dundee Student’s Artwork Inspired by Fife Musician’s Mining Heritage on Display at Annual Archive Exhibition
(IN BRIEF) Culann Mackay, a third-year Illustration student at the University of Dundee, has created a striking piece for the Archive Exhibition, inspired by a recorded interview with Fife musician Barbara Dymock. The work, which draws from Dymock’s reflections on her upbringing in a mining town and her diverse career, is now part of the public exhibition, “The Archive’s Alive.”
(PRESS RELEASE) DUNDEE, 26-Feb-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — A third-year Illustration student from the University of Dundee has created a powerful piece of artwork based on the life and experiences of Fife musician Barbara Dymock. Culann Mackay, from Ullapool, has crafted a print that draws on a recorded interview with Dymock, who spoke about her upbringing in Methil and the profound impact of the mining industry on her life, as well as her careers in music and medicine.
Mackay’s artwork, which is a part of the University’s annual Archive Exhibition, features an outline of a miner in pink, interwoven with symbols representing various aspects of Dymock’s life, including a desk and musical notes. The exhibition, titled “The Archive’s Alive,” showcases work from students who were inspired by materials from the University’s Archives. The event is currently on display at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design’s Matthew Building on Perth Road.
The inspiration for Mackay’s piece stemmed from an audio recording of Dymock recounting her experiences of growing up in a mining community and how it shaped her personal and professional journey. In addition to her musical career, Dymock shared insights into her role as a doctor, which provided further context for Mackay’s artwork.
“I hadn’t fully realized the significance of mining in Dymock’s life before I started the project,” said Mackay. “The strong visual imagery associated with the mining industry allowed me to incorporate different elements of her life, like her career and family, into the artwork.”
As part of the Illustration course at DJCAD, the Archive Exhibition challenges third-year students to create artworks inspired by a mystery box of archival material about a local institution or individual. Mackay’s piece, along with others featured in this year’s exhibition, reflects a diverse range of subjects, including a celebration of a unique Dundee Hogmanay tradition and a tribute to the iconic Dundee music shop, Groucho’s, based on stories shared by its owner, Alistair Brodie.
Natalie Russell, an Illustration lecturer at DJCAD, noted, “The Archive Exhibition is a fantastic opportunity for our students to stretch their creative abilities. The variety of work produced this year truly showcases the range of skills and perspectives our students bring to the table.”
The Archive Exhibition is open to the public until Friday, March 14, and is available for viewing Monday through Friday, from 10:00 to 17:00, at the main foyer of Duncan of Jordanstone’s Matthew Building, Perth Road. Admission is free.
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First published in this link of EuropaWIRE.
