The Glasgow School of Art today awarded its highest
accolade to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The Newbery Medal, named
after Francis (Fra) Newbery who commissioned Mackintosh to design the now world
famous art school building, is awarded each year to the highest performing student
across the Schools of Architecture, Design and Fine Art. An honorary Newbery
Medal was awarded for the first time today.
accolade to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. The Newbery Medal, named
after Francis (Fra) Newbery who commissioned Mackintosh to design the now world
famous art school building, is awarded each year to the highest performing student
across the Schools of Architecture, Design and Fine Art. An honorary Newbery
Medal was awarded for the first time today.
The honorary Newbery Medal was presented at the
GSA Graduation ceremony in Bute Hall at the University of Glasgow which also
saw 102 Fine Art students presented with their degrees. The medal was received
on behalf of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service by Craig Rider, one of the attending firefighters whose
valiant efforts saved the Mackintosh Building. The inscription on the
medal reads Scottish Fire & Rescue
Service, 23rd May 2014 – Guardians of The Mackintosh.
GSA Graduation ceremony in Bute Hall at the University of Glasgow which also
saw 102 Fine Art students presented with their degrees. The medal was received
on behalf of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service by Craig Rider, one of the attending firefighters whose
valiant efforts saved the Mackintosh Building. The inscription on the
medal reads Scottish Fire & Rescue
Service, 23rd May 2014 – Guardians of The Mackintosh.
“Every year
at our graduation ceremony we award one Newbery Medal to the highest performing
student at The Glasgow School of Art,” says Professor Tom Inns, Director of
The Glasgow School of Art. “This year for
the very first time we will award an Honorary Newbery Medal. This is to honour the bravest act for which The
Glasgow School of Art will always be thankful.”
at our graduation ceremony we award one Newbery Medal to the highest performing
student at The Glasgow School of Art,” says Professor Tom Inns, Director of
The Glasgow School of Art. “This year for
the very first time we will award an Honorary Newbery Medal. This is to honour the bravest act for which The
Glasgow School of Art will always be thankful.”
Chief Officer Alasdair Hay said
“To be awarded the Newbery
Medal is a great honour for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and I would
like to thank Glasgow School of Art for their kind recognition of our crews.
“To be awarded the Newbery
Medal is a great honour for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and I would
like to thank Glasgow School of Art for their kind recognition of our crews.
“Much has
been said about the tremendous efforts, courage and professionalism of the
firefighters who prevented the loss of the Mackintosh. On behalf of the service
I would also like to pay tribute to GSA staff and students for the manner in
which they have responded to what has clearly been a tremendously difficult
time.
been said about the tremendous efforts, courage and professionalism of the
firefighters who prevented the loss of the Mackintosh. On behalf of the service
I would also like to pay tribute to GSA staff and students for the manner in
which they have responded to what has clearly been a tremendously difficult
time.
“When the
fire started they safely evacuated the building and then worked with our crews
to establish an effective salvage plan that saved everything that could
possibly be saved. In the weeks since they have shown incredible warmth and
support to our firefighters and it has been greatly appreciated.
fire started they safely evacuated the building and then worked with our crews
to establish an effective salvage plan that saved everything that could
possibly be saved. In the weeks since they have shown incredible warmth and
support to our firefighters and it has been greatly appreciated.
“Today is a
great occasion marking the culmination of students’ hard work over their
courses. We are delighted to be able to share in their big day and wish each
and every one of the new graduates the very best in their careers.”
great occasion marking the culmination of students’ hard work over their
courses. We are delighted to be able to share in their big day and wish each
and every one of the new graduates the very best in their careers.”
The 2014
Newbery Medal was awarded to Alex Kuusik,
a Fine Art graduate. Alex lost his entire installation, which included paintings based on Hans
Holbein’s Dance of Death woodcuts, in
the fire. However, his ideas live on in his image currently being shown as part
of the Fine Art School exhibition at McLellan Galleries: a photograph he took of
his installation before disaster stuck. The image caught the attention of
Guardian Art Critic, Jonathan Jones who wrote of it: “Holbein’s deathly image mixes with Alex’s scribbles and clothes in an
impressive conceptual entertainment.”
Newbery Medal was awarded to Alex Kuusik,
a Fine Art graduate. Alex lost his entire installation, which included paintings based on Hans
Holbein’s Dance of Death woodcuts, in
the fire. However, his ideas live on in his image currently being shown as part
of the Fine Art School exhibition at McLellan Galleries: a photograph he took of
his installation before disaster stuck. The image caught the attention of
Guardian Art Critic, Jonathan Jones who wrote of it: “Holbein’s deathly image mixes with Alex’s scribbles and clothes in an
impressive conceptual entertainment.”
Two Honorary Doctorates were awarded at 2014
Graduation.
Graduation.
Acclaimed architect, Andy Bow, a senior partner of Foster + Partners, was awarded an
Honorary DUniv. A graduate of The Mackintosh School of Architecture and winner
of the Newbery Medal, Bow has gone on to become one of the UK’s most respected
architects. In 2001
was made a Board Director of Foster + Partners with whom he has designed
buildings across the world.
Honorary DUniv. A graduate of The Mackintosh School of Architecture and winner
of the Newbery Medal, Bow has gone on to become one of the UK’s most respected
architects. In 2001
was made a Board Director of Foster + Partners with whom he has designed
buildings across the world.
An honorary DLitt was awarded to Janice Kirkpatrick, one of the UK’s
leading designers and founder and Creative Director of Glasgow-based Graven
Images. Kirkpatrick studied Graphic Design at the GSA graduating in 1984 and
winning the Newbery Medal. In 1985 she co-founded Graven Images with Ross
Hunter and together they have grown the studio into an internationally
recognised design business. For six years a NESTA Trustee and an advisor to
both the Scottish and Westminster Governments on the Creative Industries, Janice
Kirkpatrick was awarded an OBE for services to Graphic Design in 2013.
leading designers and founder and Creative Director of Glasgow-based Graven
Images. Kirkpatrick studied Graphic Design at the GSA graduating in 1984 and
winning the Newbery Medal. In 1985 she co-founded Graven Images with Ross
Hunter and together they have grown the studio into an internationally
recognised design business. For six years a NESTA Trustee and an advisor to
both the Scottish and Westminster Governments on the Creative Industries, Janice
Kirkpatrick was awarded an OBE for services to Graphic Design in 2013.
Ends
Further information
Lesley Booth
0779 941 4474
Note
The Glasgow School of Art Degrees are conferred by
the University of Glasgow
the University of Glasgow