A popular art project in Aberdeen produced colourful results throughout 2017 and will continue to shine a light on creative activities in the Granite City in 2018.
The Painted Doors project, part of Aberdeen Inspired’s commitment to supporting local artists and homegrown talent is now in its third year, it is the first of its kind in the UK which has inspired similar projects in Perth and Dundee.
The project is curated by local artist Mary Butterworth and aims to turn abandoned doorways into works of art, making the city’s streets a more interesting and vibrant place to be.
Doors can be found along Langstane Place, Windmill Brae, the Merchant Quarter and Correction Wynd and have been a hit with residents and visitors to Aberdeen.
New doors have been added to the project from a range of artists, both established and emerging, from a variety of backgrounds, who live and work in Aberdeen and the surrounding area.
Artists – painters, designers, street artists, illustrators and makers…from all different disciplines and backgrounds are on display with over 30 doors and counting with even more to come in May.
The most recent Painted Doors to pop up include ‘Bird Song’ by Laura Bremner of Juniper Press on Correction Wynd. Laura who studied at Gray’s School of Art set up Juniper Press as an online shop to sell her bespoke illustrations and prints after many enquiries from people looking to purchase her work. ‘Rise Up’ by local artist and illustrator Gabi Reith-Thompson now features on windmill brae and ‘Edible Flowers’ by Corvid Eyes, Jenny Hood – another gray’s graduate, created an intricate paste up on East Green for the project.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “ The painted doors project which is now in its third year is about working in partnership with local artists, and is a great way to enhance the city centre.
“We have an extremely talented local artist community in Aberdeen that we should celebrate and we should encourage them to get involved in creating a unique city centre to be proud of.
“Many of the local artists that participate in the Painted Doors programme also get heavily involved in Nuart Aberdeen each Spring, the collaboration of both local and international artists in our city is one we will continue to support and nurture.”
Now with more than 30 doors in total and counting, Painted Doors Curator and artist Mary Butterworth, said: “The project is so amazing for recognising the talent and contribution of our creative community, art is on our streets and part of our daily landscape for everyone to enjoy.
“We get so many positive comments from the public, they love seeing them appear and they brighten up the day, and the artists enjoy being part of it and really love the public interaction whilst painting. Working alongside Nuart Aberdeen it’s been transformative for Aberdeen and something really amazing to be part of.”
After the return of Nuart Aberdeen in April and with the completion of a new open-air artist hub in the East Green called ‘Inspired Space’ in the near future, this will provide the opportunity for Aberdeen to further unlock its artistic creativity and celebrate the people of the city and our communities.
Aberdeen Inspired is the banner under which the Aberdeen Business Improvement District (BID) operates. It is a business-led initiative within the city centre in which levy payers within the BID zone contribute.
Proceeds are used to fund projects designed to improve the business district. Due to its on-going success, the organisation won 2017 European BID of the Year in July.
More information about Aberdeen Inspired is available at: www.aberdeeninspired.com