The Skinny Showcase: Mary Watson

“My work explores the competitive nature of human beings. I am particularly interested in how we invent activities to express our obsessions and how we use objects to embody or to encapsulate our competiveness. The ‘Prize’ represents the driving force behind our behaviour; it is the end goal and represents success. On a deeper level it is also a symbol of our self-conscious desire for validation and acceptance.

“Focused primarily on the more absurd competitions that capture people’s interest, my work highlights the arbitrary nature of these activities and the almost melancholy plight of the contestant. I am continually fascinated by how we distinguish what competitions are seen as culturally impressive and others that are seen as strange, almost pointless, highlighting the peculiar aspects of contestants’ personalities.”

Mary Watson graduated from Fine Art at DJCAD in 2015. Also becoming Lady Mary of Glencoe in February 2015, she then went on to found the ‘Lady Mary of Glencoe Awards Association,’ an organisation which acknowledges and gives merit to all talents that walk through life under-appreciated.