Archway Gallery hosts the fruits and fancies of Lex McFadyen
The new exhibition by Lex McFadyen at the Archway in Lochgilphead marks a return to the Argyll gallery where his regular solo shows have proven very popular.
McFadyen, known to many through his previous career as a highly-respected fashion designer, returned to painting and drawing in 2001 and has gained a growing following who collect his strong portraits, atmospheric landscapes and still-lifes. He graduated from Glasgow School of Art with a BA (Hons) in Fine Art and his work is collected by admirers across the UK and Europe.
His growing reputation has been highlighted with the receipt of the PF Charitable Trust Award, one of the major prizes at The Visual Arts Scotland Exhibition at The Royal Scottish Academy.
This exhibition – Fruit, Flowers and French Fancies – focuses on Natures Mortes as the French refer to still-life.
As well as his studio alongside the Crinan Canal in Argyll, McFadyen has a studio at his home in the medieval village of Noyerssur-Serein in Burgundy, France. The wonderful landscapes, magnificent chateaux and long summers of this wine-growing region have impacted greatly on his recent work.
Now in its third year, he curates the annual Dix Artistes Ecossais exhibition in a glorious 16th-century former butcher’s shop where he showcases established and emerging Scottish artists to an international audience.
This year’s contributors included well-known Scottish names such as Lesley Banks, Peter Nardini, Gillian Goodheir, Stanley Bird and Charles Jamieson. Plans are now in place to make The Scottish Gallery à Noyerssur-Serein a permanent feature at one of the 100 Beaux Villages de France.
The exhibition at the Archway Gallery, 7 Union Street in Lochgilphead previews today (Friday October 19), 6pm-8pm, and continues Monday to Saturday until Saturday November 3.