A student at Robert Gordon University’s Gray’s School of Art has created a fascinating project which juxtaposes historical images of Aberdeen alongside those of the present day.
Isla Goldie, 43, who studied communication design, will display her new venture at the Gray’s virtual degree show later this week, when members of the public will be able to engage with her exhibition online.
She has examined the transformation of such famous city sites as the Castlegate, Union Street, the Railway Station, Holburn Junction, Schoolhill and St Nicholas Graveyard, with some of the historic images dating back to the 1800s.
The results highlight that while many aspects of the urban landscape have changed dramatically, others have retained the values of the city from the Victorian era.
Ms Goldie said: “My portfolio is closely intertwined with my hometown of Aberdeen – the streets, the beaches, the people.
“I am aiming to encourage residents and visitors alike to think positively and purposefully about this welcoming and free city.
“One of the draws of the communication design course was that it allowed me to learn more about visual culture and how I can use it succinctly in my work to create more poignant outcomes.”
The virtual degree show has been created in response to the Covid-19 lockdown and will allow graduating students the opportunity to curate their own online exhibition space.
Ms Goldie added: “This has been a difficult year being physically separated from the facilities and staff.
“There have been significant compromises made due to the pandemic. Projects have been rounded up less than complete, but such is the effect of this virus on our society that sacrifices have been made by us all.
“New opportunities have also arisen from being in lockdown and this experience at Gray’s has opened up new avenues of exploration like this virtual degree show.
“This is a really exciting thing to be part of and provides an alternative way to display artwork and be part of virtual galleries in the future.”
Despite her final year not turning out as planned, she looked back fondly on her time at Gray’s and said she appreciated the support and opportunities she had received.
She added: “The biggest privilege was without doubt gaining access to the experience and generosity of mind of the lecturers.
They are always helpful in taking our work one step beyond where it was before our time with them.”
The virtual degree show goes live on Friday, July 10, at 6.30pm at
https://www.graysdegree.show/
