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KINGA 
ELLIOTT

Kinga Elliott’s output challenges visual preconceptions and the obvious. A world of coded systems, logic and lyrical picture making. Complex designs from objective starting points that are further worked and nurtured. Her work examines relationships between art and science but at the core she is continually aiming to control the liminal qualities of light. As a painting student she researched and mastered cyanotype as a vehicle for reportage through complexities of composition and innovative meaning. Traditional methods re-invented and re-invested through new knowledge and a contemporaneous slant on the world she occupies and responds to.

 

Michael Agnew RSA, Head of Painting, Gray’s School of Art, Aberdeen. A quote from the Royal Scottish Academy NEW CONTEMPORARIES 2022 Exhibition Catalogue

Education

2016 – 2020:    Gray's School of Art, Aberdeen, BA (hons) Painting, first class


2012 – 2015:    Dundee and Angus College, Arbroath, HNC Contemporary Art Practice


1985 – 1991:    ELTE University, Budapest, equivalent to MSc in Mathematics and Physics

Background

       
       
 Kinga Elliott is a painter living and working in Glenesk, Scotland, on the border of Angus and Aberdeenshire. 

 

          She has a long-held interest in the concept of light, let it be optics, theoretical physics, or from a theological aspect. 

          Her paintings are abstract, focusing on manifestations of light, colour, dynamism, balance and interconnectedness.

 

           Kinga studied physics and mathematics in her earlier years, and she often uses forms borrowed from science as a starting point for her paintings. At other times her works are more organic in nature.

 

           As part of the artistic exploration into the nature of light, she found a very apt process in the making of cyanotypes where light plays an active part in the creation of the image. She has developed a unique way of making transparencies that serve as negatives for the cyanotype process. The resulting large paper cyanotypes serve as starting points for further painterly developments, using ink, acrylic paint and sometimes resin. 


            The titles of her work bear reference to coding systems of online platforms. She creates seemingly random word combinations that evoke a sense of atmosphere and musicality.


   

Exhibitions

Solo shows:

March 2023               Signal-Voltaic-Keepsake, Rogart Street Campus Gallery, Glasgow


May 2022                  Harp-Chatter-Peppermint, Glenesk Folk Museum, Glenesk


February 2022           Synaptic-Alluvium-Betrothal, GHAT Small Gallery, Aberdeen


August 2019              A Moment in Time, Aberdeen Health Village, Aberdeen


Group shows:

March 2023               Being Co-operative, Outspoken Arts, Paisley


December 2022         SSA 130 Annual Exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh


September 2022        Royal Scottish Academy at The British Art Fair, Saatchi Gallery, London


August 2022              SSA at the Big Art Show, The Art Department, Paisley


June 2022                 Artist Aid Ukraine, The Pentagon Centre, Glasgow


April 2022                 RSA Annual Exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh


March 2022               Reverb, Visual Arts Scotland Annual Exhibition, online


February 2022           RSA New Contemporaries, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh


February 2022           Annual Members Show, Generator Projects, Dundee


January 2022             RGU Arts and Heritage Purchase Prize Exhibition, Music Hall, Aberdeen                           
July 2021                  Reunion, Six Foot Gallery, Glasgow


July 2020                  Degree Show, Gray's School of Art, online


June 2020                 Visual Arts Scotland Graduate Showcase, online


February 2020           Pre-Degree Show, Edinburgh Palette, Edinburgh   


August 2019              AAS at the Aberdeen Art Fair, Music Hall, Aberdeen


August 2019              Gray’s Outlet, Belmont Filmhouse, Aberdeen


March 2019               More Concrete! Group performance and exhibition, Belmont, Aberdeen


November 2018          BGF & EY Painting exhibition, Gray's School of Art, Aberdeen


August 2018              Mavericks Group exhibition, Hallgreen Castle, Inverbervie


May 2018                  SMORG:ARTS:BORD Painting Exhibition, Belmont Filmhouse, Aberdeen


April 2018                  SNAP, Ruthrierston Centre, Aberdeen


April 2017                  24, Gray’s School of Art, Aberdeen


December 2015          MEFFAN Winter Exhibition, The Meffan Museum & Gallery, Forfar


June 2015                  Graduate Show, Angus College, Arbroath

Residencies and Scholarships

October 2020/2022               RSA John Kinross Scholarship to Florence, Italy

January – June 2023             Glenesk Folk Museum, Glenesk, Scotland

Collections

Glasgow Print Studio

Royal Scottish Academy


Robert Gordon University

Commissions

August 2022               Society of Scottish Artists - Creating a response to a historical work by Bet Low 

                                      for the 130-year anniversary of the Society of Scottish Artists

Awards and Grants

December 2022          Open Fund, Creative Scotland


November 2022          Visual Artist and Craft Makers Award, Aberdeenshire


March 2022                a-n Bursaries 2022: Time Space Money, The Artists Information Company                 
February 2022            RSA Patrons Award, Royal Scottish Academy 


February 2022            David and June Gordon Memorial Trust Award


February 2022            Glasgow Print Studio Publication Prize   


October 2021             Open Fund, Creative Scotland


February 2021            Visual Artist and Craft Makers Award, Aberdeenshire


July 2020                   RGU Arts and Heritage Purchase Prize for Fine Art, Robert Gordon University


July 2020                   J. Gordon Brown Memorial Painting Prize


July 2022                   Selected for the RSA New Contemporaries Exhibition, Edinburgh


June 2020                  VAS Graduate Showcase, shortlisted, Visual Arts Scotland   


May 2020                   RSA John Kinross Scholarship to Florence, Royal Scottish Academy 


June 2019                  SCPN Art & Design Prize for Creative Communication, Scotland 

  
October 2018             SUT Award, shortlisted, Gray's School of Art, Aberdeen

Experiences

March 2023       Participant in the Sustaining Life as a Creative: Working with People Programme

March 2022       RSA New Contemporaries 20:20 Talk, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh


October 2021    Supporting painter at the British Art Show 9, Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museum


July 2020          Artist Talk. Gray's School of Art, Virtual Degree Show. Instagram Live


June 2015         Professional Development Ambassador for Scotland + Venice,  56th Venice Biennale, Italy


May 2013          Silent Art Auction organiser for artists in Angus, Angus College Campus, Arbroath          

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