Art students create winning pieces for new Energy Transition Skills Hub

May 8, 2024

Students, Jasmine Booth and India Cooper, were recently chosen as winners of a competition to create artwork for display in Aberdeen’s new Energy Transition Skills Hub. Located next to NESCol’s Altens Campus and with plans to open next summer, the facility is a collaborative venture between ETZ, the Scottish Government, the College and Shell UK.

ETZ approached NESCol with the unique opportunity for students to create a 2D piece to be exhibited inside the building, and a 3D piece to be displayed outdoors. This project formed the graded unit for the HND Contemporary Art Practice students and involved researching, developing and producing artwork based around the central theme of sustainable futures.

Three pieces were shortlisted for both the 2D and 3D categories, with the final winners selected by judges from Shell, ETZ and NESCol’s Regional Board.

Carole Monnier, Community Lead, ETZ Ltd said: “We were very impressed with the level of thought and creativity from all the students. They demonstrated first-hand how the arts play a valuable role in energy transition by reflecting it back to us and unveiling new ways to see ourselves within it. We look forward to seeing the winners’ creations come to life around the Energy Transition Skills Hub.”

The two winners are hard at work developing final versions of their artwork for display. India’s sculpture will be made in collaboration with engineering and fabrication students, while Jasmine plans to scale up her painting with support from the art team.

The Energy Transition Skills Hub will feature state-of-the-art teaching facilities for new energy and low carbon technologies training, quadrupling NESCol’s existing capacity.

Janice Scott, Curriculum Manager for Art, Design, Textiles and Photography, NESCol, said: “The College will play a key role in providing the region’s workforce with skills for the energy transition. Our HND students fully embraced the sustainability theme, using inspiration from tours of the new learning hub and its surrounding area.

“This was a fantastic experience for the group, allowing them to work with a real-life brief and client. We’re to see India and Jasmine’s final pieces on display in the hub next year.”

Competition Shortlist

1st place – Jasmine Booth

2nd place – Dariusz Filipiak

3rd place – Blue Webb

1st place – India Cooper

2nd place – Iga Przchodzka

3rd place – Martin Thomson