Blank canvas: The art exhibition in Aberdeen with no finished artwork

How does an artist go about making their art? What tools do they use? How do they get their ideas?

A new exhibition in Aberdeen is giving a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the artistic process in the hope of answering those questions.

And unusually there are no finished artworks to admire in the show at Aberdeen Art Gallery

The traditional format has been turned on its head. Instead, what’s on display is the artist’s creative process.

Gerard Stott of Aberdeen Artists Society said: “All of us participate in open studios where members of the public visit us and we are aware of the questions and the interest they have in those parts of the process you don’t normally see.

“So we thought why not take that a step further and actually create an exhibition around those private times? ‘

The exhibition reveals the ideas and concepts of 18 local artists working on a range of media including drawing, jewellery bookmaking and sculpture.

It features an intriguing and diverse selection of objects, sketches, tools and materials – all selected to illustrate how they produced their final work

Melanie Guatelli, one of the artists taking part, said: “It’s intriguing and people are always asking us how these things are produced and as an artist myself I’m often in exhibitions looking behind work and having a dig underneath if I can.

“People’s sketchbooks are fascinating. I think people are interested in how other people’s brains work.”

Bryan Angus, of Aberdeen Artists Society, added: “Aberdeen Artists’ Society has been moving forward finding new ways to engage with the public by bringing some of the hidden skills of its members to the fore.

“In devising the ‘Process, Process, Process’ exhibition our aim has been to reveal the unique and curious ways in which art is made.

“The partnership with Aberdeen Art Gallery has been immensely supportive in taking a hugely diverse collection of items and approaches our artists have brought and turning this into an engaging and informative exhibition.

“We look forward to future partnerships, in particular the build-up to an exhibition at the Art Gallery which will celebrate the 200th anniversary of Aberdeen Artists’ Society in 2027.”