Scotland and Venice
18/09/2006
The Scottish Arts Council, National Galleries of Scotland and British Council Scotland will once again collaborate to present work from Scotland at the Venice Biennale.
The Venice Biennale is held every two years and is the world’s largest and most prestigious international showcase for contemporary visual arts. More than 65 countries participate in the five-month event, with each country hosting an exhibition or pavilion dedicated solely to the work of its best artists.
The showcase begins next June and ‘Scotland and Venice 2007’ organisers are already hoping to bring the work presented at the Biennale to Scotland for audiences here to enjoy. The presentation of work from Scotland will complement other presentations from the UK including Wales and Northern Ireland.
The curatorial team will be led by Phillip Long, Senior Curator, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, supported by the Scottish Arts Council and British Council Scotland. The final selection of artists will be announced in October 2006.
The 2007 project aims to build on the success of recent presentations. In 2003, artists Claire Barclay, Jim Lambie and Simon Starling were featured and, in 2005, Alex Pollard, partnership Joanne Tatham and Tom O’Sullivan, and Cathy Wilkes were the artists presenting work. Subsequent to their work being shown at the Biennale each of the artists has achieved considerable success and have been invited to show their work internationally.
Graham Berry, Chief Executive Officer, Scottish Arts Council, welcomed the news that Scotland would be attending the 2007 Venice Biennale and added: ‘I’m delighted that National Galleries Scotland, British Council Scotland and the Scottish Arts Council are once again able to present work from Scotland at such a prestigious event.
‘Our aim is to promote Scotland internationally as a centre of excellence in and for the visual arts. We will exhibit the work of the most imaginative artists associated with this country, providing a platform for those establishing their practice within a national and international context.
‘Audiences at the Venice Biennale are amongst the most discerning of the contemporary visual art world and it is a tremendous opportunity to present artists from Scotland alongside their international peers.’
Funding of £250,000 will support the Scotland in Venice 2007 showcase, comprising contributions from each of the collaborating organisations.
Notes to editors
- The Scottish Arts Council champions and sustains the arts for Scotland, investing over £60 million from Scottish Executive and National Lottery funding to support and develop artistic excellence and creativity throughout Scotland. Further information is available on our website: www.scottisharts.org.uk From 2007 we will have over £74 million to invest in the arts in Scotland
- The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. We operate in 110 countries and territories worldwide and build relationships and understanding between people in the UK and other countries. Further information can be found at www.britishcouncil.org/scotland
- The National Galleries of Scotland comprise the National Gallery of Scotland, the Royal Scottish Academy building, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the Dean Gallery.
Contact email(s)
media.office@scottisharts.org.uk
Issued by: Scottish Arts Council
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