Artistic friends invite you to come into the garden
New exhibition atThe Bield
Willow sculpture of dogs by Crieff’s June McEwan A major exhibition opens at The Bield at Blackruthven, near Tibbermore on Saturday this week.
In the Garden with Friends (ITGWF) has been organised by Katy Galbraith from Crieff and is showcasing the work of 34 artists and photographers.
Described as a “celebration of flowers and friendship”, Katy began receiving work on Tuesday.
She said: “This is promising to be a really vibrant and fun exhibition.
“As the various artists have been delivering their pieces, I cannot help but smile at the work, which is full of colour and joy!
“Many of the artists have risen to the challenge of the garden theme, and created visually stimulating works to match.
“I cannot wait for the opening at the weekend, and to see what the feedback is from the general public.
“The Barn Gallery at The Bield, located just outside Perth, provides the artists with a superb exhibition space, in a serene and tranquil area.”
For Katy, a mosaic artist herself, this will be the second exhibition she’s hosted at the Perthshire venue.
“The first time I invited artists that had mentored and supported me when I was invited by The Bield to show there after winning best in show at an exhibition in 2014,” she explained.
“In the Garden with Friends is more collaborative and I’ve invited friends, and friends of friends, to exhibit that are not necessarily all full time artists.
“It brings together
Dave Hunt using wet plate photography to capture Gail Stirling Robertson, an artist showcasing her work at the Bield
artists, photographers, print makers, jewellers and sculptors. There is a strong representation of applied arts.”
Among the names to be seen there are Crieff’s June McEwan (willow sculptures), Anna Olson (ceramic and ceramic jewellery), Georgia Crook (paper and willow sculptures) and Lorna Radbourne (stained glass and watercolour paintings).
An interesting addition has been provided by collaborating artist photographer Dave Hunt.
On Tuesday, as the artists gathered to hand over their work he set up a 21st Century/pioneer photography photo booth.
He was creating ‘wet plate’ portraits - a process dating from the 1800s, the earliest days of photo portraiture. Like a Polaroid, the finished picture becomes visible within minutes of taking the shot, but provides incredible detail and tone.
“A wet plate portrait has a habit of creating an honest impression of its subject, they may not be as flattering as modern photography and there is
A ceramic horse by Fiona Gordon of Station Cat Pottery
no re touching so you get what you get,” explained Dave who set up a darkroom on the premises at the Bield.
The Killin-based photographer invited participating artists to have their portrait taken and the results will be shown at the exhibition. He set his camera up at 9.30am on the first day and had his first image by 10am.
He continued: “I didn’t stop until 4pm when I had to get home. It was well worth it though, wet plate has a real wow factor!”
The process involves coating a glass or aluminium plate with various chemicals, which is then exposed in the camera.
The plate is developed whilst still wet, if the active chemicals dry then the image is lost.
Artists blogs can be found via: https:// inthegardenwithfriends. wordpress.com/
• In the Garden with Friends Exhibition runs at The Barn Gallery at Blackruthven, The Bield, Tibbermore, Perth, PH1 1PY, from May 13-June 4 from 10am to 5pm.
It is closed on Mondays.