The Herald - The Herald Magazine
Perfect places to hang out
ACROSS Scotland, the vision of artists is only matched by the passion of gallery owners, who give our creatives the space to exhibit, writes Lorraine Wilson. Although the majority of art is visual and could be viewed online throughout the recent lockdowns, the impact of walking into a gallery and viewing work for the first time has now returned with a passion.
And certainly, no digital experience can replace physically meeting the artist at an opening and find out more about the work.
Certainly, artists have continued to create throughout the pandemic. And looking at some of the most recent exhibitions throughout the country, it appears that many are still inspired by the unique landscapes and light Scotland offers. How they represent that is unique to each, however.
Where John Lowrie Morrison OBE – or as he is better known, Jolomo – brings his bright and energetic landscapes to the Strathearn Gallery in the exhibition, The Croft and the Lighthouse, Scott Naismith has his biggest solo show, Awe, at Morningside Gallery with a colour palette in his abstracts reflecting everything that we see in our skies, landscapes and coasts.
The Glasgow Gallery also has Scottish landscapes in My Scotland, My Beautiful Land, an exhibition of Moy Mackay’s pioneering felt painting. Again these showcase Scottish landscapes in all their beauty and drama.
The merino fibres used by Mackay are the signature brushstrokes that add her texture and atmosphere.
These artists have all been busy out in the Scottish wilds, taking the time and space and quiet to work and create – but now it’s time to bring the work indoors.
The most successful commercial art galleries manage to surprise regular clients but also provide a comfortable space where people can satisfy their curiosity for new talent or new work by favourite artists.
There’s no doubt the past few years have been difficult for Scotland’s galleries, but all are now busy bringing artists and the public together once more to inject some colour and inspiration back into our lives.