University announces new artist in residence

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An image of a loch

The University of Stirling has announced Glasgow-based artist Jennifer Wicks as its new artist in residence.

The post is supported by Creative Scotland and will allow Jennifer to conduct research for a new body of work exploring themes around sound and image, the materiality of film and visualising music. She will specifically look at the work of pioneering animator and filmmaker Norman McLaren, whose work is held in the University Archive and Art Collection.

Work by Norman McLaren

Mutation V by Norman McLaren

Deputy Curator, Sarah Bromage, said “We are delighted to be working with Jennifer. The residency ties in with the Art Collection’s aims to support Scottish contemporary artists in developing their practice, be inspired by the University collections and share this knowledge widely.”

The project’s origins lie in Jennifer’s earlier work, ‘Trace out the threads, follow their convulsions’ (2018), a collaboration between Jennifer and The One Ensemble, and more recently ‘Extended Compositions’ (2021), an extensive body of work that explores the intersections between music, drawing, film and sculpture and the relationship between sound and image. 

Photograph of Jennifer Wicks. Female, with long hair
Jennifer wicks
Artist in Residence
The COVID-19 crisis has had a particularly negative impact on the way I work, so the chance to have time and space to focus on research with such an inspirational archive and to develop and make new work is incredible.

As artist in residence, as well as engaging in research and development work, Jennifer will be working with the public in a series of events and workshops.

Jennifer said: “I’m very excited to have the opportunity to work with Norman McLaren’s archive. The COVID-19 crisis has had a particularly negative impact on the way I work, so the chance to have time and space to focus on research with such an inspirational archive and to develop and make new work is incredible.

“The residency will be instrumental in helping me find new ways of working, particularly with a new experimental approach to visualising sound. I’m really looking forward to working alongside the team at the Art Collection and very grateful to Creative Scotland for supporting me.”

Karl Magee, University Archivist, said: “The Norman McLaren Archive is one of the most colourful and visually stimulating collections we hold in the University Archives. We are always keen for our collections to be used in new, innovative and creative ways and are delighted that Jennifer is developing a new project drawing inspiration from the archive.”

Amanda Catto, Head of Visual Arts at Creative Scotland, said: “Creative Scotland is delighted to be supporting this residency at the University of Stirling which will give Jennifer such rich and invaluable access to Norman McLaren’s archive. It’s a really excellent opportunity for creative and professional development and we’re looking forward to seeing the work that results.”

Jennifer’s residency will start in March 2022. For further information about the Art Collection, visit the webpage