Let’s Talk – Former Pupils' Art Exhibition

An Interview with Cargilfield’s Head of Art, Ms Alexa Hare

Cargilfield is proud to present the Former Pupils – an Art Exhibition in celebration of our 150^th Anniversary taking place at Cargilfield, 45 Gamekeeper’s Road, EH4 6HU on Friday 23^rd June from 17:30 to 19:30.

You are welcome to join! RSVP [email protected]

Alexa Hare is a visual artist and Head of Art at Cargilfield School (Since 2021). Alexa completed her BA degree in Drawing and Painting at ECA in 2006 with First Class Hons and completed her MFA in Intermedia at Edinburgh College of Art in 2010 and shortly after was appointed director of Embassy Gallery. Previous to working at Cargilfield, Alexa worked at Fettes College since 2006. In 2014 Alexa was selected as an artist to represent Scotland as part of ‘Generations - 25 Years of Contemporary Art in Scotland’. Alexa has exhibited extensively across the UK and Europe. She was also a member of the experimental pop band PET signed to Kutu Folk Records, the band is critically acclaimed and hailed by the likes of NME and BBC 6 Music.

1. What can you tell us about the 150^th Art Exhibition by Former & Current Students and what you are most excited about?

In days gone by, the Art Department has been the creative heart of Cargilfield, and we are bringing together former pupils' artworks and exhibit these alongside current pupils' artworks.

I am most excited to showcase my former pupils’ work. It has been tremendous to reconnect and to see what they have been creating since they left School.

1. How have your experience been of preparing the 150^th show thinking of creating the viewing experience in the Chapel at Cargilfield?

I have enjoyed the mad art treasure hunt that I have been on this Term! I have found past pupils by emailing, calling up, asking a friend, looking through record and visiting families to select different works ultimately finding gems that people had forgotten about. It has been a truly special experience studying all the artworks and figuring out what represents the artist best – then how to frame or present the work - It has been a journey!

1. What has been your greatest pleasure and challenge curating the 150^th Former Pupils’ Art Exhibition?

The greatest pleasure has been when people drop their artworks off at Cargilfield; I find seeing new and exciting pieces of work inspiring. My biggest challenge was finding artists who left Cargilfield more than 30 years ago and with a list of names on hand, I had to put on my detective hat and then figure out if they are still arty - or not!

1. As a curator and Head of Art, what have your experience been working with a collective managing multiple artists and expectations?

It has become quite a personal project for me as there are so many people involved that I know from years ago.

1. What is key to consider when curating bespoke Art exhibitions by current and former students?

A lot of aspects go into creating exhibitions, trying something next to something else, standing back, scratching heads, and thinking, does this work? Lots of contemplation…

1. What is your greatest advice for young emerging artists when leading in new thinking?

Be yourself, have a good studio work ethic. Don’t forget to keep it weird. Art is the one place in the school and in life where you can be weird - stay weird!

1. What does Art mean to you?

It is everything to me. I genuinely don’t separate life and art or teaching, and art. Creativity is a process. Exhibitions are important and nice for other people to look at your work but the process, the making is the most important part of art. That is where the magic is!

1. What makes Cargilfield special to you?

Cargilfield is special place because of the intimacy of the school; it is small, we have 300 happy and inquisitive girls and boys, and it genuinely feels like an extended family.

Here are just a few of the pieces of art that will be in the exhibition