Maverick scotch whisky maker fosters original art creation at the Glenfiddich® Distillery in Scotland
TORONTO, March 5, 2018 /CNW/ – World-class scotch whisky leader, Glenfiddich, has awarded Canadian artist, Vanessa Maltese, to join its 2018 Artist-in-Residence program at the Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown, Scotland. Set in the Scottish Highlands, the three-month program houses eight artists from around the globe and a $20,000 prize to produce new works in an array of media including print and photography to animation, performance and installation inspired by the distillery, history, heritage, people, and craftsmanship of the surrounding area.
“I am extremely honored and excited to have been selected for the 2018 Glenfiddich Artist-in-Residence Program,” said Vanessa Maltese. “I look forward to exploring new ideas while on residence at Glenfiddich, and believe the time, space and opportunity offered by this program will serve as the perfect incubator to put my proposed ideas into action.” Maltese was selected from more than 100 entries in Canada by a panel of six esteemed Canadian Jurors from Canada’s arts community. Her winning proposal explores pareidolia – a psychological phenomenon in which the mind responds to a stimulus, usually an image or a sound, by perceiving a familiar pattern such as a face or an animal where none exists. An OCAD University graduate, Maltese has appeared in solo and group exhibitions in Toronto and New York since 2010.
“We are delighted to invite Vanessa to be the 14th Canadian artist to join the Glenfiddich Residency program,” said Andy Fairgrieve, Program Co-ordinator. “Vanessa will in fact be the first dedicated painter to take part in our residency although she does not confine herself to flat works, often incorporating elements of sculpture and installation. The precision she displays in her work will be a welcome addition to this coming year’s program.”
Established in 2002, the Glenfiddich Artists-in-Residence program has become wildly acclaimed in the art world for providing artists an original setting, space, and community to create new work. The program captures the maverick spirit of the scotch whisky maker to relentlessly push boundaries and experiment with new ideas. Since its inception, the program has hosted more than 152 artists from 20 countries in the summer residency including 13 Canadians. To learn more about the Glenfiddich® AiR Prize and to follow along with the winning artists during the residency and past recipients, visit: www.glenfiddich.com
About William Grant & Sons Ltd.
William Grant & Sons is an independent family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1887 and today is still owned and run by the fifth generation of his family. Named ‘IWSC Distiller of the Year’ in 2013 for the sixth consecutive year, William Grant & Sons distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s favourite single malt Glenfiddich®, the handcrafted range of The Balvenie® single malts and one of the world’s best loved blended Scotches, Grant’s®, as well as selected other spirits, including Hendrick’s® Gin, and Sailor Jerry® Spiced Rum and Tullamore Dew®.
