University of St Andrews | Barns-Graham Post Graduate Award 2021
The award supported Mattea to study for an MLitt in Museum and Gallery Studies at the University of St Andrews. She is now completing a SGSAH-funded PhD in History of Art at University of Glasgow.
Mattea says ‘Without the Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust Postgraduate Award, I would have never made the leap to complete my MLitt during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving behind my life in the USA and trusting the spirit of adventure and my passion for advocating for women in art history. When I arrived in St Andrews, on one of my first days of freedom after quarantine, I wandered into the graveyard next to the cathedral. I discovered Wilhelmina’s grave as if by fate and sat with her for a while, deeply moved by the impact of her legacy. Her art brought me to my new beginning. Ever since, I have stopped by to honour her whenever I am in town. Her ardour for nature was obvious, and I feel kindred to her whenever I feel the wind tugging at my hair and observe the crashing waves. Her forms and patterns live on, cascading.’
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