ACES Edinburgh: Curated Collection 2026

Curated by: young people taking part in Access to Creative Education in Scotland (ACES) Edinburgh

This collection of graduate work was curated by ACES pupils Abhinav, Arina, Heather, Lucia, Luke, Max, Selma, and Tabitha.

ACES Edinburgh is a Widening Participation programme for eligible young people in local state secondary schools, who are considering studying art, design or architecture. ACES offers events and activities to help young people better understand study options and supports them through the application process. Find out more on the ACES webpage and join us today.

Our young curators visited the Graduate Show and chose their favourite work during their tour. You can view the work of their selected exhibitors at the bottom of this page.

Let's find out the reasons behind their selection.

Student: Ilakkiya Mohanraj, BA (Hons) Intermedia

Selected by: Abhinav

"I was completely captivated by the patterns and rhythms displayed in the work commonly seen in South Indian culture. Coming from a Tamil background personally, I find my specific culture generally unrepresented, and seeing the print patterns instantly reminded me of home. What really drew me to the piece is the atmosphere of familiarity that the artist fostered for everyone, not just for Tamil people."

Student: Freya Miller, BA (Hons) Graphic Design

Selected by: Arina

"I really enjoyed the text design in their logo, it looks simple and easy to remember. I also liked their t-shirt prints and how they used green and black colours, which work well together."

Student: Annabel Kelley, BA (Hons) Graphic Design

Selected by: Heather

"I love the clever connection between the grounded architecture to coffee in the finished design, adjusting as the strength of the coffee changes. The text is calming and easily read, creating a peaceful look that is inviting to the audience, as well as the bold, earthy colours that are specific to each strength."

Student: Jennifer Baff, BA (Hons) Jewellery and Silversmithing

Selected by: Lucia

"I really like the inspiration of the piece being a sea forest and how it can be easily identified. I also like the scale of it and how the colour of the metal wasn't just silver but also different colours like red and dark grey."

Student: Shona Phee, BA (Hons) Painting

Selected by: Luke

"I really enjoy dog imagery. I liked the simpler dogs more. I also liked how they contrasted from the rest of the work. My favourites were Walk Home from Coppice Ave (2026)  and Time Out (2026). I like the use of the post it note and the colours and simplicity."

Student: Viviana Gelasia Hoare, MA (Hons) Fine Art

Selected by: Max

"What I enjoyed most about this piece is the familiarity of the world that was built in the piece, e.g. bus stop sign covered in graffiti. It felt like a disjointed version, like a misremembering or a distorted dream of the area, of Edinburgh that isn't the town centre, a place that tourists don’t really see or experience but still has as much or even more culture as Old Town. This piece reminds me of the outskirts of Edinburgh or the Pilton / Granton area, where I reside so I feel like I relate to this work, a place that doesn’t get much love but is still important culturally to Edinburgh."

Student: Justin Duffin, BA (Hons) Performance Costume

Selected by: Selma

"His works manage to capture the beauty and strength of femininity with a gothic and macabre edge to it. The choice of fabrics that shimmer manage to emphasise this impact."