Student’s artwork celebrates iconic shop cloaked in history

Amelie Fagan, an Illustration student at the University’s Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, is breathing new life into historic designs that once featured in the landmark city department store, G.L. Wilson.

Known for its ladies fashions and elaborate Christmas displays, G.L. Wilson’s brochures and leaflets have provided inspiration to Amelie, who has created new artwork exploring the styles of clothing on sale during the retailer’s heyday.

Her work will join those of her classmates as part of DJCAD’s annual Archive Exhibition, entitled Stored Stories, which opens to the public on Friday 27 February.

Amelie, from Dunfermline, said, “Learning about the shop and its history has been fascinating.

“As an illustrator, I’ve not worked with fashion very often but I was really drawn to the different styles and the evolution of the dresses. From when the shop opened you see how styles changed and the dresses became more colourful and dramatic.

“Working with the archive material has been a great experience. Before now my work has been drawn from my own creativity, so this has been a new way of working for me. It has required a lot of research and drawing, but I feel I could just keep on going with it. The materials have been inspirational to work with.”

Located prominently on the corner of Murraygate and Commercial Street, G.L. Wilson was a major presence on Dundee’s retail landscape for almost 80 years after opening in 1894. Along with Draffens, D.M. Brown and Smith Brothers, it was one of the so-called “big four” department stores that drew thousands of shoppers to the city centre.

But despite establishing itself as a local landmark, as the retail scene began to evolve and chain stores started to dominate the high street, G.L. Wilson would eventually close its doors in 1972.

Amelie’s work is one example of how the Archive Exhibition connects current Illustration students with Dundee’s past. Each is provided with a box of contents from the University’s archives detailing the life of a local person or institution through photographs, documents, diaries, letters, and oral recordings. These provide inspiration for students to create new artworks that celebrate the local area and the people who make it.

Other work to feature in this year’s exhibition include a history of the Dundee Rucksack Club, a mountaineering group whose archive material has allowed the artist, Maddy Magee, to connect with her own family’s past. Student Alana Chung, meanwhile, has chosen to commemorate the life of a Broughty Ferry fitness instructor and Black Watch soldier, John Kimber. She has illustrated the journey of his final letter, written from his hospital bed in France during World War One, having experienced wounds that would eventually claim his life.

Illustration lecturer Natalie Russell said, “This is the tenth year of the Archive Exhibition and it is a wonderful way of engaging our students with the local area, as well as encouraging them to think in different ways.

“The materials provided to us from the archives gives our students insights into the people, landscapes and traditions of Dundee and the surrounding area, and allows them to celebrate these in their own, unique way.

“For visitors to the exhibition, we hope that they enjoy these glimpses into a bygone era, while reassuring them that these precious memories are equally enjoyed and respected by a new generation.”

The Archive Exhibition is free to visit at DJCAD’s Matthew Building, Perth Road, and runs weekdays from Friday 27 February until Friday 13 March, 10:00-17:00.