Aberdonian participants took part in a masterclass in the world of graffiti during Nuart Aberdeen on Tuesday, April 9.
Eighteen North-east residents have been picked to take part in LATA 65-Young At Art, led by internationally renowned Portuguese curator and architect, Lara Seixo Rodrigues.
Our pioneering graffiti gang of over 65’s are: Vivien Kennils, Rosemary Murray, Hazel Smith, Dennis Noble, Maggie Wilcockson, Fiona Maclean, Pearl Cameron, Martine G.D. Shepherd, Rosemary Kemp, Diane Needler, Caroline Butler, Moira Anderson, Francis Blore, June Wyness, Anne Yule, Dorothy Bothwell, Gay Stewart-Gibb and Jean Robinson.
The oldest is 82, the youngest is 65 and from having a go at being rebellious, expressing their creativity and wanting to be a part of Nuart Aberdeen, the group had a number of reasons as to why they were keen to take part.
One of the successful applicants Dorothy Bothwell, said: “I have watched, with interest, the effect of Nuart on Aberdeen and how the citizens have been endeared to it. That older people are now being encouraged to engage in this wonderful project is another winning strategy."
Fellow applicant Francis Blore added: “I paint a little, always amazed at the talent of street artists, and would love to learn how to create art with a spray can of paint."
Rosemary Kemp added: “I just loved last year's art and think it's a great idea to let us oldies have a go!"
LATA 65 emerged as a challenge to take the interest shown by an ‘ageing’ audience to prove that ‘active ageing’ makes sense and to bring seniors close to a form of artistic expression usually associated with younger people.
Over the course of April 17-19, participants will take part in a workshop and learn all about street art, starting with its roots in activism and graffiti. They will then be let loose on a wall in the city centre and produce their own work as part of the festival.
Lara Seixo Rodrigues said: “Although LATA 65 has already travelled outside Portugal, to Brazil, Spain or the USA, it is always a new challenge going to a new location. This is because we are working with a new group and this always comes with different dynamics. I am sure bringing LATA to Aberdeen will be memorable and we will work hard to enthuse our participants.
“From my side, seeing our students working on the streets after the workshop is always the best part, but we couldn’t ever start from there. Going to the streets is the end of a build-up, the result of a group of small challenges and of a total recognition of each student that starts again from this day. It's impossible not to admire the group dominating a wall and having a lot of fun, like any other artist.”
Martyn Reed, Nuart founder and curator said: “Lara’s project was the first project in the world to not only recognise this demographic for street art, but to also devise an incredible program to cater for them. Over the years the concept has inspired thousands and been emulated by many other organisations, but nothing I’ve seen comes close to the genuine authenticity and passion that’s built into LATA65, we’re absolutely honoured to have them join us for this year’s edition of Nuart. We’ve met so many enthusiastic senior citizens on The Green and we can’t wait to see how they respond to the project.”
Lara will be participating in a Q&A after the afternoon screening of a short documentary on LATA 65 on April 20 at Belmont Cinema as part of the Nuart Plus series of events.
Nuart Aberdeen is spearheaded by Aberdeen Inspired and Aberdeen City Council, with generous support from delivery partners Burness Paull and The McGinty’s Group.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, added: “Lata 65-Young at Art will be a very special part of Nuart Aberdeen and we can’t wait to see our group of seniors having fun, expressing themselves and getting into the spirit of street art.
“Many of our applicants said they had thoroughly enjoyed Nuart in previous years and relished the opportunity to potentially play a part in it later this month. We are sure this will be a project that leaves a lasting impression, not just on a wall in our city, but in the hearts of the public as well.”