Images: Sam Ainsley, David Harding and Alexander Moffat recipients of Honorary Doctorates
at 2018 Graduation
Three leading artists who have made a seminal contribution to art practice and education over the last 40 years – Sam Ainsley, David Harding and Alexander Moffat (collectively known as AHM) have been awarded Honorary Doctorates at GSA Graduation today, 15 June 2018. The three artists came together as lecturers at The Glasgow School of Art and at the time of their retirements were Heads of the MFA , Environmental Art and Painting and Printmaking departments.
“Sam Ainsley, David Harding and Sandy Moffat have individually and collectively nurtured generations of artists who have gone on to make Glasgow’s reputation as a leading centre of creative practice,” says Tom Inns. “The scale of their contribution to art education was demonstrated tangibly in the 2014 showcase of Contemporary Art in Scotland which featured 100 artists, the vast majority of whom had studied under Sam, David and Sandy.”
AHM are also acclaimed artists in their own right. Sam Ainsley’s work is held in collections including the National Galleries of Scotland and she has exhibited extensively internationally. David Harding’s ground-breaking work as town artist in Glenrothes in the 1970s is one the first examples of socially engaged practice, which is now a fundamental part of contemporary art practice. Sandy Moffat’s work can be seen in many permanent collections, and he has exhibited both within the UK and overseas.
“Together Sam Ainsley, David Harding and Sandy Moffat created a unique educational environment where a strong fine art tradition of a painting, sculpture and photography sat at ease alongside a fine art practice driven by ideas, context and the external world,” adds Professor Inns. “Their ability to make such a significant contribution was in no small part due to their own standing as acclaimed artists in their own right.”
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