On Friday, 21st March, VAA Director Laura O’Hare had the pleasure of attending the RSA New Contemporaries 2025 to judge the prestigious New Artist Award, proudly sponsored by the VAA.
As Scotland’s largest and most prolific platform for showcasing emerging talent from degree shows, this year’s exhibition featured a diverse range of media, including sculpture, photography, painting, filmmaking, installation, performance, and architecture. Selected from the 2024 degree shows, the event showcased the work of 63 outstanding graduates.
Celebrating the Winner: Calder MacKay
Calder MacKay, a Fine Art graduate from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design and an accomplished oil painter, was awarded the VAA New Artist Award by Laura O’Hare. Calder’s work explores themes of masculinity, grief, and familial roles, delving into how masculine expectations shape the ways we grieve. His art captures both the joy shared with his grandparents and the strength and vulnerability that emerge in the wake of loss.
Reflecting on the exhibition and Calder’s work, Laura O’Hare commented:
“The standard of work at RSA New Contemporaries 2025 was exceptional. What made Calder’s work stand out was the visceral emotion it evoked—I was transported to a bygone era. The blurred lines and nostalgic essence resonated deeply, and I noticed a similar reaction from others. We are delighted to present this award to Calder and look forward to supporting him in his artistic journey.”
As part of his award, Calder receives a comprehensive prize package valued at £2,000, which includes VAA Premium Membership, a year of mentorship, access to a series of online short courses, and an invitation to exhibit at future VAA-organised exhibitions.
Recognising Highly Commended Artists
Alongside Calder’s achievement, VAA proudly recognises six highly commended artists: Fiona Goss, Kitty Yarrow, Shiza Saqib, Kirsty E. MacDonald, Tallulah Batley, and Lara Juneman. These six commended artists will be offered a VAA Premium Membership and free access to a VAA Career Development course of their choice.
Fiona Goss (Scottish, Danish, Kenyan) graduated from the MA Fine Art course at Edinburgh College of Art in 2024. She has received multiple accolades, including the Clason-Harvie Bursary, the Cousins Essay Prize, and the Eduardo Paolozzi Travel Award. Fiona’s work intertwines ecology and storytelling, using organic materials and data to unveil narratives of heritage, metaphor, and emotion. At the RSA New Contemporaries, her work was acquired by the Scottish Parliament.
Kitty Yarrow, a 2024 graduate of Edinburgh College of Art, has been recognized with the Catriona White Drawing Prize, the Tonic Arts Prize, and the Visual Arts Scotland Graduate Showcase Award. Her work explores parental loss through intricate patterns, embodying the interconnectedness of human experience and nature’s healing power.
Shiza Saqib, originally from Pakistan, is a multidisciplinary artist with an educational background spanning Edinburgh College of Art, the Iceland School of the Arts, and Columbia University, where she studies Psychology with a focus on Spirituality, Mind, and Body Studies. Her work merges Eastern influences, Sufi psychology, and yoga, creating a profound connection between self-exploration and artistic expression.
Laura O’Hare reflected on Shiza’s work: “The structure, flow, and impact immediately drew me in. It is evident that her work is deeply connected to psychology, spirituality, and yogic philosophy.”
Kirsty E. MacDonald, a mixed-media artist, works primarily with drawing, painting, and sculptural forms. A First-Class Honours graduate from Gray’s School of Art, she is now pursuing her Master’s in Fine Art. Kirsty’s work examines the relationship between Scottish culture and plant life, using sustainable and natural materials to tell visual stories.
Tallulah Batley, a multidisciplinary artist from Cheshire and a graduate of the University of Edinburgh, explores themes of pattern, decoration, domestic spaces, childhood, and gender through sculpture, painting, and printmaking. Often incorporating dollhouses into her work, she constructs vividly detailed, ornamented worlds that captivate the viewer.
Laura O’Hare noted: “I kept returning to Tallulah’s work—there was always more to see.”
Lara Juneman, currently based in London and a graduate of Glasgow School of Art, works across drawing, painting, and mixed media. Her process involves abstracting images through layered silhouettes and projections, drawing from natural forms and personal experiences to create dynamic compositions.
The VAA extends heartfelt congratulations to all the artists and looks forward to supporting their creative journeys over the coming year.
For further information about RSA New Contemporaries exhibition, please visit www.royalscottishacademy.org
New Contemporaries exhibition dates: 22nd March to 16th April 2025
Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound
Entry £8/£5 concession (Free for RSA Friends)
Free on Mondays | Exhibition publication £5 (coming soon)
Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm
