Commemorative exhibition to be held for Arran artist
A commemorative art exhibition of artist and printmaker Stephen Gill’s works is to launch at Arran Active in Brodick on Wednesday July 6 and will run until the end of August.
Open to public viewing, the exhibition of Stephen’s work will feature a variety of prints and paintings, alongside examples of his printing work.
Born in Durham England, Stephen spent most of his life on Arran, working at St Columba’s Gallery in Whiting Bay, which was started by his parents in 1955. For decades he created and printed letterheads, business cards and other branded materials for a variety of local businesses.
As an award-winning printmaker and member of the British Printing Society, Stephen specialised in creating lino-cuts, woodcuts and litho prints at his studio in Kildonan, where he lived and worked for 20 years until his death at the age of 83 in March this year. He also produced paintings, sketches, pastel drawings and watercolours among other media, and exhibited at local galleries and art shows.
Arran’s rocky mountains and coastlines were to be Stephen’s main inspiration throughout his career. The seashore, cliffs and soaring birds became a regular feature of his artwork, the scenes that he had seen and sketched as he enjoyed regular walks through the Arran landscape.
A founder member of the Arran Mountain Rescue Team, Stephen was a keen walker and hiker, and he also loved amateur dramatics, being a long-time member of Whiting Bay Players.
Simon Ross-Gill, Stephen’s youngest son, said: ‘Stephen’s family are really pleased that Arran Active is hosting this special exhibition of his works. As someone who relished the outdoors and walking, my dad would have smiled to see his work surrounded by outdoor equipment and gear and with a view of the Arran mountains.’
Juliette Walsh, of Arran Active, added: ‘It’s a pleasure to host this exhibition of Stephen’s work. Many of his prints and paintings reflect the beautiful landscapes that can be explored on the island. We hope the public and visitors alike will stop by to see his works and enjoy his unique depiction of Arran.’
A preview of The Stephen Gill Commemorative Art Exhibition will be held at 7.30pm on Wednesday, July 6 and it will run until Wednesday August 31, upstairs at Arran Active.