Old Contemporaries

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Old Contemporaries will be holding their second Annual Exhibition from 20th to the 23rd September 2023 at The Generator Projects, 25/26 Mid Wynd Industrial Estate, Dundee, DD1 4JG.

This year's annual group show for early-career artists over the age of 30, includes for the first time, artwork by emerging artists and final year students from all 5 of Scotland's art schools.

Old Contemporaries aims to provide opportunities for a network of older, Scotland-based, emerging artists who are often excluded from many of the "emerging", "new" or "young" artists competitions, exhibitions and residencies due to their age.  June Barton, Organiser and recent graduate of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design said,

"That the uppermost cut off age is only 30 for many art industry opportunities, sometimes even younger, makes it hard for older, new graduates to get a foot in the door. After four years of studying and hard work, older graduates deserve the same level of recognition and support that their younger colleagues can access. 

Added to that, older learners and graduates often have additional barriers such as acquired disability/ chronic ill health or caring responsibilities, meaning less flexibility to attend evening events and form professional networks. Old Contemporaries aims to bring this demographic together in a manner that reflects the different life stages and respects the lived experience of each participant."

The Old Contemporaries Second Annual Exhibition aims to highlight the inequality within the industry, and to show that early-career artists over the age of 30 are creating artwork as exciting, innovative, and relevant as their younger colleagues.