UHI fine art graduates celebrated with major national arts awards

Graduating artists from the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) have been recognised with a series of prestigious national awards from leading arts organisations, celebrating the exceptional talent and diversity of creative practice emerging from this year’s BA (Hons) Fine Art degree cohort.

Daisy Clark (Moray School of Art, UHI Moray) received three awards: the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) New Contemporaries Award, a Society of Scottish Artists New Graduate Prize, and the Alumni Choice Award, a cash prize selected by UHI fine art alumni.

Grounded in portraiture, Daisy’s multidisciplinary practice combines painting, drawing, printmaking and embroidery to explore identity, emotion and the human form through richly layered works. Her degree show attracted significant interest, with several paintings sold to private collectors.

As a result of her awards, Daisy will exhibit twice in Edinburgh during 2027, with exhibitions at the Society of Scottish Artists and the RSA New Contemporaries exhibition in Edinburgh, which showcases the best of Scotland’s emerging artistic talent.

Emma Eunson (UHI Shetland) also received a Society of Scottish Artists (SSA) New Graduate Prize. The SSA is a leading arts organisation supporting and promoting contemporary artists in Scotland. The award provides Emma with the opportunity to exhibit her work in the SSA’s annual exhibition later this year at the Royal Scottish Academy.

Emma’s practice examines memory, personal histories and the significance of everyday objects. Through a combination of analogue and digital processes, she explores how memories are formed, altered and revisited over time.

Alex Muir (UHI Orkney) was awarded the Grampian Hospitals Art Trust (GHAT) Award, which includes a solo exhibition at GHAT in 2027 and an accompanying artist fee. Alex’s interdisciplinary practice explores connections between people, place and the natural environment, using flax and a range of media to reflect on relationships with the land and traditional craft.

Estella Smith (UHI Shetland) received the Alumni Dissertation Prize, awarded for achieving the highest dissertation mark across the graduating cohort. Estella’s work is inspired by memories of her mother and grandmother knitting and sewing during her childhood.

The awards recognise artistic excellence while providing graduates with valuable opportunities to develop their professional practice through exhibitions, financial support and national recognition.

Lauren McLaughlin, BA (Hons) Fine Art programme leader said:

"This year’s exhibitions reflect a rich diversity of research interests, united by a shared commitment to honouring the people, places and everyday practices that shape our lives. It has been a privilege to support these students on their journey, and I wish them every success in their future careers. We look forward to seeing how they build on their achievements and continue to develop their creative practice beyond graduation."