UAL graduate gets talent nomination

by Maddalena Dottori

A 22 year-old graduate from Camberwell College of Art has been nominated as '2010’s hottest new artist' by the Independent newspaper.

Gemma Gallagher, who completed her BA Painting course in June 2009, was chosen to represent the art category in the Independent's annual talent special.

Experts are asked to introduce the most promising stars of the year "from the worlds of art, literature, food, fashion, music and more."

Praised art

The nomination came from one of the country's leading art critics, Michael Glover, who saw one of Gemma's paintings, entitled A Terrible Beauty Is Born, at her college degree show in summer 2009.

The canvas, which shows a series of black machines guns on a colourful background, made a real impression on Glover.

“At first I thought I was looking at a very gentle painting, but moving closer and noticing that those dark objects were in fact guns, I realized I had completely misunderstood it. I was very pleased with the surprise. I believe Gemma has true potential,” he said.

Inspiration

The artist, who has exhibited her work throughout the UK, took inspiration from the socio-political situation in Northern Ireland.

“I was born and raised in Belfast, a city that has afforded to be the backdrop and venue for communal violence over decades and indeed centuries,” said Gemma.

“You cannot live and breathe in a society which has had 30 years of politically motivated violence without it having some impact on you, and so I feel that the work I am making is a direct result of that.”

Gemma, speaking about her nomination, addred: “It is flattering and very encouraging. I would have never imagined that, in the same year of graduating, I would be selected and interviewed by a credible art critic like Michael Glover, who I admire and respect.”

Other nominees of the Independent Talent 2010 Special include Coco Sumner, Nick Boles, Mark Fast, Daniel Cox, and Callum Negus Fancey.

To check Gemma Gallagher's work visit her website: www.gemmagallagher.com