First show of Poolewe artist's Fir
Ross
Gairloch Museum reopens for 2023 with two stunning exhibitions including the first public display of First World War frontline watercolours by the Poolewe artist Finlay Mackinnon.
This exhibition in March and April will display a collection of Mackinnon’s watercolours and sketches for the first time, thanks to the generous donation of an album of his work, given to Gairloch Museum in 2021.
Born in 1863 in Poolewe, Mackinnon fulfilled his early promise and achieved notable success during his lifetime, so much so that he became known as The Poolewe Artist.
Working in pencil and watercolour, the album showcases two of the artist’s most well-known subjects – the landscapes of his beloved Highlands and his experiences at the Western Front during the First World War.
Created under treacherous conditions while serving with the 4th Seaforth Highlanders, these remarkable works are unique representations of the devastation to the French
Martin’s international acclaim alongside their local roots means this is one not to miss! We are excited for them to return to Oban for a night of traditional music in our historic venue.”
Award-winning jazz singer and early jazz historian Ali Affleck performs at Ardgour Memorial Hall on Saturday March 18.
Regularly commissioned by the BBC and Jazz Scotland, Ali has been invited to perform at the most revered festivals and swing dance events worldwide.
Kendra Turnbull at Ardgour landscape. A grant from the Association for Independent Museums allowed Gairloch Museum to fund the conservation of the album.
In the conservator’s studio at the Highland Archive Centre, the album was rebound, cleaned and the artworks secured.
As well as the album being on display, the artworks inside have been digitised and will be projected in the exhibition, giving a much fuller appreciation of The Poolewe Artist’s stunning work.
Research for the exhibition has brought a wealth of new knowledge about the artist to add to the museum archives.
The donors are delighted that these paintings have “come home”, with the museum being less than a mile from where Finlay Mackinnon is buried in Gairloch’s new cemetery.
Pauline Butler, who has researched the exhibition and helped coordinate the exhibition, will also be giving a talk on the life and work of Finlay Mackinnon on Thursday March 9, the anniversary of the Battle of Neuve Chapelle.
Memorial Hall said: “This is the last of our Scotland on Tour gigs and what a way to finish. We are really excited to welcome Ali, and her band, to the village and turn our hall into a temple of jazz for one night only. What a treat for a rural community.”
And Sunday March 26 sees the incredible Firelight Trio go live at The Racer Cafe in Barcaldine, playing European folk music which is inventive, dramatic and extremely evocative.
Known for captivating audiences with their unique sound, the three-piece effectively
In the museum’s upper gallery, contemporary artwork by Katherine Sutherland will be on show.
Titled Colours of Scotland, Katherine Sutherland’s striking paintings are an emotional response to the landscape – a poetic expression, rather than a photographic representation of nature.
Living and working in the Highlands, Kathy trained as a nurse before becoming a fulltime artist in 2014.
The gallery is delighted present her first exhibition Gairloch Museum. to at