The artists behind the artists take centre stage at new exhibition

A new recreation of the long-lost Monifieth Crescent is one of the many highlights of the Technicians Show, a celebration of the skills of more than 20 technicians from the University’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design (DJCAD).

The bronze replica of the celebrated Pictish artefact will join traditional and contemporary art in a variety of mediums, including ceramics, painting, textiles, jewellery, sculpture, metalwork, furniture, photography, video, and sound and digital work. 

Opening on Friday 13 November at DJCAD’s Matthew Building, this inaugural event demonstrates the abilities of the University’s technical community, whose talents are more commonly used to help make the ideas of students, colleagues and researchers a reality.

The original Monifieth Crescent dates from around 700AD and was discovered in 1796 at Laws Farm, near Monifieth. However, it was subsequently lost, with only drawings of the original now surviving.

Sculptor Roddy Mathieson, a School Support Specialist at DJCAD, was awarded funding from Visual Artist and Craft Maker Awards Dundee to recreate the artefact. He said, “I really liked the backstory of the piece and the design and felt it needed recreated as a large-scale sculpture which was cast in bronze and patinated. 

“It’s been a wonderful process to bring something so historic and of such local significance back to life. Hopefully it will find a new home somewhere in the local community as a celebration of local culture, history and arts and crafts."

DJCAD technicians support the University’s student artists, researchers and staff, using their expertise with particular equipment, materials, or technical processes to help realise the work of others. While many have exhibited nationally and internationally before, Technicians Show 2026 brings their work together closer to home, offering local audiences a rare opportunity to experience their artwork collectively.

Sarah Smart, School Technician, said, “The Technicians Show has stemmed from a desire to celebrate the creativity and artistic talent of the technical staff at DJCAD. 

“While a big part of our roles involves helping others bring their creative ideas to life, many of us are also artists, makers and creatives in our own right. This exhibition offered a chance to share that side of ourselves, bring together the work we're passionate about, and highlight the breadth of talent within our technical community.

“Visitors can expect a diverse collection of work, reflecting the breadth of creative interests, skills and approaches across the technical team. There's also a wonderful variety in the way people work, with some exploring materials and processes that are quite different from those they work with in their technical roles.

“The technical community at DJCAD is so creative, so knowledgeable, and so talented. By hosting this exhibition, we can publicly showcase the abilities that we possess here – skills which play a crucial role in benefiting the development of the students who study here every day.

“Our hope is that visitors find something that surprises or inspires them and get a glimpse of the creative passions that our technicians pursue.”

The Technicians Show is open to the public in the Matthew Building, DJCAD, from Monday 16 November to Friday 11 December, 10:00-16:00 (closed Saturday and Sunday).