The Scott Award
Words by Emilia Sogaard
On the 2nd of June the Norman Rea Gallery will host the Scott Award. The Scott Award is an annual art competition led by students at the University of York. Emilia Sogaard spoke to some of the Scott Award committee last week about what it means to them and the upcoming exhibition. Speaking to Leila Pathirana, Lucia Spelsberg, Otty Allum and Cleo Coleman it was clear to see how this art competition offers a truly unique way to get involved in art. This article follows on from Amelia Stallworthy’s blog last week where she interviewed Tilly Jackson about York St. John’s first ever student-led exhibition. Celebrating and showcasing the work of different student groups demonstrates the immense wealth of art and creativity that we have around us.
“Abbey Ruins” by Michael Scott, one of the founders on the Scott Award.
The Scott Award was created by Michael and Eileen Scott who had careers in biology, chemistry and art. It is supported by Langwith College at the University of York and created to make art more inclusive and show the complex relationship between science and art. Every year the committee decides on a different theme which allows competitors to explore how art and science link, with previous exhibition themes including ‘Folklore’ and ‘Metamorphosis’. The theme is inspired by and looks back to the origin of the Scott Award.
Alchemy is the chosen title for the 2023 competition, and it will be exciting to see the range of artworks that are submitted for this year’s entries. In the past, artworks in a plethora of mediums have been submitted, from poetry to documentaries. The definition of the noun ‘alchemy’ is a seemingly magical process of transformation, creation, or combination. When speaking to the committee it was interesting to see how they interpreted alchemy and what it meant to them. They spoke about the inseparability of art and science and explained how they feed off each other. For example, everyday objects are often manufactured, requiring scientifically based processes and then decorated with an artistic design process. In the creation of household items, they are first functional, and then often aestheticized – creating this affinity between science and art even in the most mundane objects. The input of technology is also linked to all of this and three of the committee members who are studying History of Art commented how there are so many elements of science and technology in Art History.
Clay workshop organised by the Scott Award.
The Scott Award is not just a competition, but also an initiative which runs practical workshops throughout the year. One of the workshops held preceding the exhibition was clay pot making which highlighted the importance of recognising the process of making. These events are free, and are designed to create inclusive spaces which allow all attendees to discover their creative side and explore their interest in art. The focus on hands-on workshops sets the Scott Award apart from other art competitions which concentrate on the viewership and judging and instead this competition allows the focus to encompass the interactive experience of art making. Everyone who participates in the workshops and competition can have this learning experience and connection to the materials, with some of the creations even been exhibited in this year’s exhibition.
Bracelets made at a workshop held by artist Kat Osbourne.
As the Scott Award is backed by Langwith College it is possible for it to host these events for free meaning that students do not have a financial commitment and they are truly open to all. The positive result of this can be seen by the large range of students who attended the events which have been held in the run-up to the exhibition. These events have ranged from jewellery making with the brilliantly talented artist Kat Osbourne, to clay modelling and painting. By getting outside artists to lead these events Leila, the current director, spoke about how it was a great way for artists to share their expertise and create an informal and collaborative setting in which art making and design can be enjoyed by all.
Alchemy 2023 Scott Award exhibition poster.
Alchemy can be categorized as an ancient branch of natural philosophy and a philosophical and proto-scientific tradition – which means that the chemical process of making art fits succinctly into this definition. Alchemy is creating something from nothing. Cleo related painting to being a metaphor for alchemy – suggesting it to be something magical. For example, a painting is created by mixing ground pigments and then a painter uses this to create a painting – therefore making something from nothing. This beautiful comparison shows how exploring the relationship between art and science opens up so many different routes for artistic exploration. This line of exploration can go further when thinking about painting; as the preservation of painting relies heavily on scientific processes.
This initiative tries to expand the reaches of art, and Leila, who studies Politics, believes that the Scott Award really does reach all different groups of students. Speaking with her about the organisation it was interesting to reflect on the consequences of Covid-19 on the running of the Scott Award. The committee spoke about how they went from being one of the biggest student groups on campus to having to completely rebuild the organisation from the roots up and restart the initiative. But positive results from their efforts can be seen – with many students attending their workshops during the past two terms, artworks having been submitted and an exciting upcoming opening night to look forward too.
The transdisciplinary approach of the competition and events preceding the competition ensures that the art award is open to all. The inclusivity of the exhibition theme bridges different degrees and shows the affiliation of science and art. The deadline for submitting artworks is the 26th of May so regardless of your degree submit an artwork if you believe it fits with the theme. The judging of the competition is done by the committee, the Chair of Langwith College and Helena Cox, the art curator of the university. This year there will also be another prize to win with a ballot on opening night for visitors to vote for their favourite work. With the scheme evolving each year, this year’s committee bring their creativity to making the event yet again more inclusive and championing the celebratory nature which should always come with art exhibitions and encourages visitors to interact with the art that they see in front of them.
We look forward to seeing you in the gallery for the opening night!
