Photography Bursary Winner Named
Posted: 05 October 2010, in Press Release
The Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition has announced that Aly Wight has won its annual photography bursary sponsored by Unity Trust Bank.
Beating off stiff competition from across the country, Aly, (29) from Edinburgh, has been awarded the bursary worth £1,800, to visit social enterprises across Scotland. He will work with the 14 social enterprises, including McSence, Community Energy Scotland and Celtic Radio, to depict how their work is changing the lives of communities and individuals around them.
Aly has an honours degree in Fine Art and Sculpture from Gray’s School of Art and also an HNC in Photography from the Glasgow College of Building and Printing. He has worked on a diverse range of commissions across the UK, for clients including The Traverse Theatre, WECAN (Working for Environmental Community Action Now) and The Manhattan Loft Corporation. His aim is to create original and exciting imagery in a simple and contemporary style.
Commenting on winning the bursary and his new commission for the Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition, Aly said: “I see the bursary as an opportunity for me to learn more about the impressive work of social enterprises across Scotland and to communicate observations in a creative and original way, reflecting the progressive nature of this exciting sector.”
The social enterprise sector – or businesses trading for a social or environmental purpose – is having an increasing impact in Scotland and the way we do business. A recent MORI Ipsos poll showed that around two thirds of Scots now know about social enterprise, as this innovative business movement continues to grow.
Antonia Swinson, chief executive, Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition and chair of the interview panel explains: “Social enterprises are delivering inspiring work across the country and we were looking for someone who could depict the energy and passion of individuals working in the sector through a series of pictures. Creativity and a keen eye for detail to capture remarkable moments was a must and Aly’s impressive portfolio really fits the bill.”
“We’re delighted to have Aly on board and look forward to seeing the results when he completes his country-wide journey to visit the social enterprises.”
Aly will produce a digital gallery of images for the Scottish Social Enterprise Coalition, which will be presented at an exhibition in the Scottish Parliament in early 2011. His work will also be presented in a number of the Coalition’s publications and the exhibition will then tour a number of public buildings across the UK and at the S2S Social Enterprise Fair in April 2011.
Adrian Oldman, Marketing and Communications Manager at Unity Trust Bank said: “We are delighted to be involved in this initiative and eagerly await the portrayal of positive social change through the eyes of the photographer.”
Aly Wight follows in the footsteps of Rebecca Duncan who was awarded the bursary last year. Rebecca’s work was displayed in Government buildings across Scotland and also at the 2010 World Social Enterprise Forum in San Francisco.
The bursary competition was open to everyone, photography students, amateur photographers, social entrepreneurs and professionals. The judges assessed the entrants on their vision, a demonstration of a varied approach to capturing action in a compelling way and their ability to bring other factors at work in the visuals to life.
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