Although finding the time and headspace for creativity and productivity has been difficult for many these last few months, we have continuously found ourselves inspired by our staff, wider community and pupils, both current and former, in 2020.
The ESMS Development Office is in close contact with Former Pupils and we wanted to share what a few members of our FP community have recently achieved.
Jane Neave (2016 Leaver)
Jane was recently given the exciting opportunity to have her textile design displayed in the V&A Dundee, featuring within the opening of their first major fashion exhibition.
The fashion exhibition was centered around the iconic Mary Quant, who launched a fashion revolution on Britain’s high-streets and was critical to the development of the ‘Swinging Sixties’ scene. She is also credited with inventing the decade’s most iconic look: the mini skirt!
Challenged to create a textile inspired by her legacy, Jane took inspiration from Quant’s desire to liberate women through fashion which resulted in the design of a beautiful, vibrant dress.
You can still visit the exhibition at the V&A in Dundee which will be on display until January 2021 with social distancing measures in place.
Joshua Grant (2018 Leaver)
From the fashion scene to music, Former Pupil Joshua Grant, who only a short while ago was playing with his band at his ESMS leavers ceremony, topped both the Official Scottish Singles Chart and the iTunes Singer-Songwriter Chart with his single ‘Edinburgh’ during lockdown.
Joshua’s ‘Edinburgh’ was inspired by his time spent away from home in New York earlier this year, where he had taken up an internship before his trip was cut short due to the pandemic. Josh told the Scottish Sun: “I missed home more than I thought. The sentiment came about when I was away, but I wrote in my bedroom during lockdown. It is a love letter to the city I grew up in and my experiences growing up here.”
‘Edinburgh’ topped the Official Scottish Chart, beating artists such as The Weeknd and Harry Styles to the top spot, and climbed the iTunes Official Charts to find a spot in their top 10 Singles Chart among artists like Lady Gaga.
Marianne Hazelwood (1991 Leaver)
Another inspiring FP, Marianne Hazelwood, has just opened her first exhibition of botanical art earlier this week at the Open Eye Gallery Edinburgh.
Marianne is a botanical artist and produces work for exhibitions, international botanical art competitions, scientific and independent commissions. She is also a tutor at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE). Marianne has won several accolades in the botanical art field including Gold at BISCOT and at the RHS London Botanical Art and Photography Show, which is one of the highest achievements in the botanical art field.
In 2019 Marianne entered the Visual Arts Scotland Open exhibition at the RSA Edinburgh galleries on the mound and was selected by the Open Eye Gallery to receive their Exhibition Award. You can currently view Marianne's exhibition online, or in-person if you contact the gallery in advance.
We look forward to hearing more from our Former Pupils and always welcome news and updates. Please send any news to development@esms.org.uk.
