Jane’s designs on victory
Jane, 23, went up against fellow students from the Heriot-Watt School of Textiles & Design in Galashiels to win the commission for a lasting piece of art or design to decorate the new railway, which opens next September.
Her entry to the contest was unveiled as the winner by First Minister Alex Salmond as he revealed plans for the Borders Blueprint legacy programme to maximise the potential benefits of the railway.
Jane said:
“I’m extremely passionate about my work so it’s a great honour to showcase my capabilities as a designer to the public.
“I’ve benefited enormously from the experience of working on a live project and winning the overall award is a wonderful addition to my CV.”
Mr Salmond said:
“Jane’s designs, having been creatively inspired by Sir Walter Scott, will decorate the stations along the Borders Railway when it opens next September – the first new railway to be built in Britain in 100 years – so she should be very proud.
“This year we celebrate Sir Walter Scott’s 200th anniversary of his novel, Waverley, and I couldn’t think of anything more appropriate than a student from the School of Textile and Design to be chosen to showcase the creativity and skill of the Scottish Borders while reflecting the region’s deep and inspiring heritage.”
Fiona Waldron, Head of Heriot-Watt University's School of Textiles & Design, said:
“Jane has been given the fantastic opportunity to have her artwork permanently displayed in public at stations along the new Borders Railway due to open next September.
“Not only is her work for this project a thought-provoking exploration of the themes that capture the adventure and romance of travel that is central to Sir Walter Scott’s Waverley novels, but demonstrates that the beauty and diversity of her design work can be used in a variety of scales and applications.
“We’re extremely proud of all the ideas put forward by our students for this prestigious award, however, Jane should be proud of herself for winning, having captured the brief perfectly.”
The commission called for a piece of artwork which would commemorate the 200th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott’s “Waverley” novel, as well as celebrating the opening of the new railway.
A total of 80 students submitted entries, with five students shortlisted.
The selection panel was chaired by Transport Scotland Rail Director Aidan Grisewood and included School of Textiles and Design lecturer Mark Parker, Heritage and Engagement manager at Abbotsford Kirsty Archer Thompson and Transport Scotland Borders Railway project sponsor Sarah Cooper.
Jane, who is currently in her third year of a BA Design for Textiles course, was chosen after impressing the panel with “her intelligent, witty and diverse references to Sir Walter Scott and the Waverley novels”.
Contact:
Transport Scotland Press Office : 0141 272 7195
Background:
Images available by contacting Transport Scotland.
Transport Scotland is the national transport agency for Scotland, delivering the Scottish Government's vision for transport.
The School of Textiles and Design was established in 1883 to lead the textile industry in training and education. The School is part of Heriot-Watt University and now has a reputation as one of the world’s leading textile education and research institutions with specialist resources that are among the best in the world.
Former students who have gone on to make their names in the textiles and fashion industry include William Chambers, Judy R Clark, Obscure Couture, Samantha McEwen of Isolated Heroes, and Jade Rodgers who now works with Victoria Beckham’s Ready to Wear production and development department in London.
Further information about the School of Textiles and Design can be found here – http://www.tex.hw.ac.uk/about.htm
Further information about Borders Railway can be found here – http://www.bordersrailway.co.uk/