Creative Dundee

Rough Cut Nation: Remixed

Back in the summer of 2009, Rough Cut Nation filled the halls of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh, just as it closed for a major two and a half year redevelopment. A team of young artists and musicians collaborated using a range of street art techniques to explore contemporary Scottish identities, inspired by the traditional murals of William Hole that cover the walls of the Gallery’s main hall.

The installation/exhibition, brought street art into the Victorian building and ran for three weeks (attracting some 13,500 visitors!) and staged gigs by some of Scotland’s best new bands – it was a striking and brilliant event.

Creative Dundee followed the exhibition closely (you can read some of the coverage here), not only because it was a great example of an innovative diverse collaboration; but really because of the great number of DJCAD graduates and Dundee artists involved, led by ex-DJCAD grad, curator Richie Cumming, including:

Exhibitors: Martin McGuinness (DJCAD 2009), Fraser Gray (DJCAD 2008), Sarah Kwan (DJCAD 2008), Johanna Basford (DJCAD 2003), Pete Martin (DJCAD 2003), Richie Cumming (DJCAD 2002), Al McInnes (DJCAD 2000) and Mike Inglis (regular DCA exhibitor). Other contributions to the project by Dundee grads/residents included: Ian Tayac, Derek Lodge, Helen Gallogly, Clare Brennan, Jason Nelson and Yann Seznec.

Now the artists, National Galleries of Scotland and Edinburgh College of Art have joined forces to launch a book, which features the incredible artwork from the show; and marks the Portrait Gallery’s re-opening. It was created by Edinburgh College of Art students who won a graphic design competition run by the College and the National Galleries of Scotland.

The winning group, Verb, won after pitching their designs to a panel of experts from the College and the galleries; and was financed from money raised in the auction of works featured in the Rough Cut Nation show.

The book will be launched in the just-freshly-reopened National Portrait Gallery and to celebrate, The John Knox Sex Club will be performing in the main hall on 9 December at 6pm.

Nice work to all involved for producing this publication – hopefully the other big cultural guns will watch this project with great interest; and then seize the opportunity to work with more fresh local talent in the future!

Rough Cut Nation: Remixed Scottish History, Street Art and Graffiti Culture: Book launch event

When: Friday 9 December, 2011 – 6pm-8pm

Where: The Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JD

Find out more on their Facebook event page

Copies of the book will be on sale in National Galleries of Scotland shops and online  – (£9.95).

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