Top Five: Edinburgh College of Art Masters Show 2016

As is now a summer custom for us, we got together to head along to the Edinburgh College of Art Masters Degree Show to see what amazing talent is on offer at our doorstep. We've already been along to the DJCAD Degree Show and the ECA Degree Show this year so it was good to make another. The shows are always open to the public, free, and you can show your support for the young artists (ans sometimes buy their work), so it's a great opportunity.

There was a lot on offer but we've narrowed it down to our top five picks (in no particular order):


1.) Xin Liu
Graphic design in simplistic story- telling style, these cut out collage pieces tell The Story of the Stone, which is on of China's Four Great Classical Novels. Since it is a classic work that is read by entire generations, Xin Liu used the reviews and personal perspective to re-tell the tale.


2.) Linda Macpherson
A beautiful series of theatrical portraits that looks at archetypes from mythology and folklore. The pieces are bold but understated and picking a favourite was difficult.


3.) Helen McCartney
Strange fantasy creatures were displayed together to create an eerie tableau for Helen McCartney's work 'Truth, Beauty and Excretions'. The shadows thrown by the hanging figures added to the story of the piece, while the small details of each creature invited a closer look.


4.) Patricia McCormack
A mix of collage, prints and a park bench come together to make the viewer feel small and accepting in the face of the vastness of time and space. The prints are beautiful, using the contrast of black and white to striking effect. The bench piece uses the space perfectly. The plaque informs of the approach of the Andromeda Galaxy, while the bench is positioned facing out of the window as if it's approach can be seen. 


5.) And a special shout out to Alexia Psaradeli, whose work was scattered around the show. Using both visuals and sound to give a nightmarish, half-asleep quality, these pieces were down right creepy and caused us both to jump (and Kimberley to require some hand holding).

Sadly, the Masters Show is over for this year, but you should still check out the artist offerings online.