Creative Scotland and its partners have appointed The Common Guild as curators for the Scotland + Venice 2013 presentation.

The Venice Biennale is the largest and most prestigious visual arts exhibition in the world. This will be the sixth presentation from Scotland + Venice, a partnership between creative Scotland, National Galleries of Scotland and British Council Scotland. The 2013 biennale will be the 55th international art exhibition.

The Common Guild is a visual arts organisation based in Glasgow. It was established in 2006 and presents a dynamic, international programme of contemporary visual art projects, exhibitions, and events.

The Common Guild will present projects by three of Scotland’s most compelling and consistently interesting artists: Duncan Campbell, Hayley Tompkins and Corin Sworn. The exhibition will be presented in the Palazzo Pisani, Venice from June to November 2013.

Previous Scotland + Venice presentations have included Karla Black (curated by The Fruitmarket Gallery) in 2011 and Martin Boyce (curated by Dundee Contemporary Arts) in 2009. The 2013 project will mark 10 years since Scotland’s first participation, in an exhibition that included Claire Barclay, Jim Lambie and Simon Starling.

Amanda Catto, Chair of Scotland and Venice partnership and Portfolio Manager for Visual Arts at Creative Scotland said:

‘The Scotland + Venice partnership is delighted to announce its plans for the 2013 exhibition.

‘Since its establishment ten years ago the Scotland + Venice project has emerged as a significant international platform, promoting artists at the highest level internationally and building Scotland’s reputation as a centre of excellence in and for the visual arts.

‘The exhibition will showcase the vision, imagination and skill of the artists selected and we are looking forward to working in partnership with the common guild, who bring their significant knowledge and expertise to the project.’

Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop said:

“Scotland is a creative and innovative nation, boasting a wealth of artistic talent. The Venice Biennale, as the largest arts festival in the world, is an ideal platform to showcase our talent to a global audience.

“I am sure that the Scottish presence in 2013 will build on the tremendous success of previous years, which saw exhibitions from turner prize-winning artist Martin Boyce and nominee Karla Black.”

Katrina Brown, Director of The Common Guild:

“it is remarkable to think of all that has happened with contemporary art in Scotland since the first participation in the Venice biennale back in 2003. This project will continue to foreground our artists and the wealth and breadth of talent here in a hugely significant international arena. We are very much looking forward to working with Duncan, Hayley and Corin in this context.”

Scotland + Venice 2013: artists

Duncan Campbell is known for his film works that blend archive, documentary material with fictional, imaginary elements. His films, which have been described as “slippery biopics”, have focused on often visionary protagonists, such as car-maker John Delorean (‘make it new john’, 2009) or Irish political activist Bernadette Devlin (‘Bernadette’, 2008).

He welcomed his inclusion in the project and added:

“I am extremely pleased to be representing Scotland at Venice next year. For an artist, the biennale represents a unique opportunity: to make work that has currency. I am excited by this challenge and to be part of the general buzz. I am grateful to The Common Guild for the compliment they have paid me.”

Corin Sworn creates atmospheric installations that weave fiction and history through film and objects. She is currently artist-in-residence at St.John’s College, Oxford, in association with the Ruskin School.

Sworn said of her participation in the project:

“The prospect of working in Venice feels both formidable and thrilling and I look forward to seeing what work I can make for this dramatic and intriguing atmosphere.”

Hayley Tompkins makes intensely delicate paintings and painted objects that she describes as being sampled from the world as we know it. She was shortlisted for the 2004 Becks Futures Prize.

Tompkins said:

“I am delighted to exhibit at next year’s Venice Biennale, and to be working with The Common Guild. I look forward to imagining a new work and seeing it installed in such unique and historic surroundings, a mysterious place like Venice. It’s a wonderful opportunity for any artist.”

The 2013 exhibition continues The Common Guild’s commitment to dynamic internationalism, and builds on the organisation’s reputation for presenting artists’ work in interesting and engaging ways through world-class contemporary art experiences and discussions. It will involve new works by the three artists in diverse forms and materials.