As part of our occasional series on ‘good ideas’ from the left, Graham Jepps introduces the newly formed North East Art Collective

I had long since felt that the art establishment was somewhat exclusive, incestuous and condescending towards amateurs (I mean amateur, of course, in the strict sense of those who don’t make their principle income from their work, whatever their degree of talent and imagination). My experiences working in community arts projects, however, and of the inclusive, progressive and open-minded approach of places like Highland Print Studio, Project Ability and various local community organisations has recently given me a change of heart. I had mooted ideas of finding collective exhibition space for amateurs, though mostly over several pints of ale in local hostelries, but soon realised that this was an idea which was shared by many others. So at the end of last year a project was hatched to form a local art collective which would encourage amateur artists working in all fields to get their work on show. The prohibitive costs of hiring gallery space, mounting exhibitions, etc, being shared between several like-minded people, would suddenly become affordable and open up the possibilities of exhibiting work for artists who may previously have been dismayed by the daunting task of putting together a solo effort.

Artists' collectives have existed in various guises and for different reasons throughout history. Many collectives were formed by the state during the Russian Revolution and during the French Revolution the Louvre was occupied briefly as a collective workshop. The origins of the artists' collective can even be traced back to ancient Greece, where sculptors shared space in the marble quarries of Melos. Today many collectives exist all over the world and range in stature from local co-operatives through to international movements, from groups with a common political agenda to those with a similar artistic vision, or simply groups of like-minded individuals who wish to spread the cost of purchasing materials and renting studio and exhibition space. The most notable example currently operating in Scotland is the Glasgow Group.

The fundamental ethos of the North East Art Collective is simply to get work out there. We do not set out to judge, criticise or select each others' work. Each artist is the critic and selector of his or her own work. All the other members of the Collective will do is offer encouragement and share ideas. The group's work contains an even balance of traditional methods, such as painting, drawing and photography (which we can safely include in the "traditional" canon) together with up-to-the-minute digital enhancement techniques, which in their turn, through time and ubiquity, will come to be regarded as traditional themselves. Some of the artists are experienced, have had formal training and have exhibited before, others are learning their craft and dipping their toes into untested waters.

To date the Collective has secured two exhibition spaces and work will be displayed in the Spectrum Centre in Inverness later this year and at the Belmont Cinema in Aberdeen early next year. We are currently looking into spaces in Dundee and Fife. There is also a ne website at www.northeastartcollective.org.uk.

Although the primary aim of the group is not a political one, much of the work nevertheless reflects themes closely associated with a broad left-wing point of view. Steve Arnott's digitally manipulated imagery has a strong Darwinian focus and explores themes of modernity, nature and human consciousness, while some of Liz Walker's figure paintings poignantly subvert renaissance religious imagery. Stephen Mowat's work explores environmental and historical themes and Tommy Paterson's focus is very much on the natural environment. Graham Jepps's main interest is in the fine detail of nature and uses close-up digital photography and image manipulation to reflect on themes of historical transformation and upheaval (though also sometimes just to create an original and striking image).

Once the initial exhibition has been set up the Collective will be open to expansion and, while it eschews any hint of exclusivity, it is hoped that it will encourage artists from the left to develop and show their work while promoting a broad spectrum of ideas associated with a more radical socio-political culture, from environmental and humanitarian concerns through to commentary on the fragile nature of contemporary society.

The Collective is, of course, very much in its formative stage, and some of us have much to learn about the processes of setting up exhibitions, presenting work, promoting events, etc. But the experience so far has been a positive one, feedback has been encouraging, and at the very least we hope that our experiences will encourage others to develop their artistic and creative skills and ideas. Watch this space for future reports.

Click on this link www.gjepps.freeuk.com to view some of the collective’s work