Foreword

In recent years, conversations about personal and cultural identity have become a bigger part of our national and social conversation. It should be no surprise then, that expressions of personal identity and cultural history have also become a growing concern in the work of many contemporary artists. It is also gratifying to see the work of these artists gaining greater recognition. This felt like an appropriate moment therefore, to create an exhibition exploring the many ways in which craft and identity intersect in the work of contemporary Scottish artists.

It is also notable that when many artists consider cultural identity, they think in depth about the materials they are using; looking to craft materials, cultural methodologies, or histories of art, to explore their personal selves or shared histories. It was important to Fife Contemporary to make sure that we worked with a curator for whom identity is pivotal to their practice and research, and who would be immersed in the work of artists who are at the centre of this conversation. By commissioning Cat Dunn, we knew we were working with someone who directly understood how identity can impact the work of marginalised groups, both through research and lived experience.

Fife Contemporary are delighted to present Crafted Selves. We have learned a lot from the conversations this exhibition has started; its subheading acknowledging that this goal of understanding each other more remains ongoing. Considering the highly personal themes the topic of this exhibition explores, it is possible to see once again the high value that visual art, craft, and making have for allowing us to explore painful and challenging topics through creativity. I remain deeply moved by how many artists in this exhibition chose tightly crafted and thought-filled methodologies to help them express a personal connection to challenging cultural experiences with clarity and precision. In so doing they reclaim the narrative, turning this into moments of pride and joy in which we can all share.

Kate Grenyer Director Fife Contemporary 2023