Category: Exhibitions

George Birrell & Davy Brown

Two old friends are next up at Fidra Fine Art. George Birrell and Davy Brown met while studying at Glasgow School of Art in the late 60’s, early 70’s and have remained firm friends ever since.

Both George and Davy follow a great tradition of Scottish colourist painters. They talk avidly and fondly of the training they received at Glasgow School of Art. Tutors such as the wonderful painters; Alexander Goudie, David Donaldson, Jimmy Robertson and William Crosbie, who were themselves seduced by the sumptuous pigments and spontaneity of the work by the Scottish Colourists before them, greatly influenced not only George and Davy, but a whole generation of Scottish artists working today.

However, major influences for both artists came before art college. For George, it was his art teacher at school, William Birnie who provided early inspiration. Keen observation of buildings, landscapes and the changing light of the seasons typified William Birnie’s work and it is surely no coincidence that these are strong features found in George’s paintings.

For Davy, early and enduring influence came from the two great Scottish artists, Robert Colquhoun and Robert MacBryde. His passion for their work has fuelled his own painting career and echoes of their work can be seen in his latest collection of still life and landscape pieces. Following a health scare in 2013, a slight change can be seen in his work – still strong colour with a familiar texture but a subtle change in his palette has introduced a fresh, airy quality to his work.

Both artists have produced new work for this show. Davy has returned to the Galloway harbours and landscape near his home in Newton Stewart for inspiration. Also included and with a nod to MacBryde, are a number of still life pieces which feature the artist’s paraphernalia, bathed in light from around his studio.

George has included new pieces inspired by the architecture and atmosphere of the East Coast fishing villages and castles he is so well known for, but as always, he has explored new colour melodies to delight his collectors.

It’s great to welcome back two Scottish artists working at the height of their powers.

George Birrell & Davy Brown exhibition opens 29 October and continues until 4 December with a Preview on Friday 28 October 6-8pm.

Ya Bass! Bass Rock, A Timeless Muse

6 August to 11 September

Preview Friday 5 August 6-8pm

Special opening times for Fringe by the Sea – 12-5pm from 6-14 August

The volcanic plug that is Bass Rock, sits a few miles off the coast at North Berwick. Its presence to people who live in East Lothian has provided a timeless, reassuring permanence. Something to gaze and marvel at throughout the changing seasons, something to come home to, a familiar friend.

To artists it has proved an irresistible muse. It will have been drawn in the sand, scratched on rock faces and chalked on pavements for centuries. Many of the great Scottish artists have been seduced by its charm and mystery.

Alexander Nasmyth’s famous Romantic interpretation of Tantallon Castle and Bass Rock painted circa 1816 sits proudly in the National Galleries of Scotland collection, a dramatic composition of the castle and the rock against the elements.

Soon after, in 1818, JMW Turner visited Edinburgh and was drawn to Bass Rock producing a series of sketches and watercolours that were to be used in Walter Scott’s “The Provincial Antiquities and Picturesque Scenery of Scotland”.

Later, artists such as Samuel Bough, William McTaggart, his grandson William MacTaggart, Alexander Fraser, Patrick William Adam, William Miller Frazer, John Campbell Mitchell, John Blair and William Gillies all found the lure of the rock irresistible.

More recently, John Houston’s countless expressive studies of Bass Rock have made the rock almost emblematic of his work. Seen from various angles with the changing backdrop of weather and light, Bass Rock was the perfect focus for Houston to express his art. Similarly, Bass Rock appears frequently in the work of perhaps East Lothian’s most famous artist, John Bellany.

Working today, Matthew Draper’s fascination with Bass Rock has produced arguably the most dramatic studies of all. Equal in atmosphere and majesty to the landscapes of the great Scottish Romantic artists such as Alexander Nasmyth and Horatio McCulloch, Matthew’s versions are both contemporary and timeless.

The current show draws both from the past as well as from a host of successful contemporary Scottish artists working today. A wide range of styles and medium will guarantee a varied and interesting exhibition.

The current line-up includes…

Matthew Draper, Simon Laurie, George Birrell, Davy Brown, Neil Macdonald, Alice McMurrough, Henry Kondracki, Jock MacInnes, June Carey, Alan Connell, Patti Yuill, Claire Beattie, Dominique Cameron, Joseph Urie, Mark Bannerman, Angela Repping, Jayne Stokes, Georgina Bown, Fee Dickson, Rachel Marshall, Andy Heald, Arran Ross, Neal Greig, Suzanne Kirk, Carmen Ambrozevich, Gordon M Scott, John Boak, Allan Robertson, Michel Rulliere as well as pieces by John Bellany, Frank White, George Blackie Sticks, William Miller Frazer and others.

Mixed Exhibition – May/June 2016

<strong>The Mixed Show starts with an Opening Night on Friday 20th May from 6-8pm and runs through to 19th June</strong>. As usual we try to show a mix of traditional, older works by well known Scottish names from the past alongside current mainstream artists as well as emerging artists both local and from further afield.

We will have around 50 new pieces from the likes of George Birrell, Matthew Draper, Simon Laurie, Dominique Cameron, Alice McMurrough, Neil Macdonald, Lesley Banks, Mark Bannerman, Donald Macleod, Joseph Urie as well as older pieces from Robert Colquhoun, Patrick William Adam, James McBey, John Bellany and more if I can find the hanging space.

We will be introducing a few new names and styles to the gallery…

Edinburgh University and ECA graduate in Fine Art, currently living and working in Duns, <a href="http://fidrafineart.co.uk/index.php/artists/view/beattie-claire">Claire Beattie</a> has submitted two of her popular, subtly toned tree studies. Beautiful, calming work inspired by the border landscape around home.

<a href="http://fidrafineart.co.uk/index.php/artists/view/muirhead-gardner">Gardner Muirhead</a> also a graduate of ECA but in Textiles, brings something completely different. Inspired by German cinema, typography and a general Cold War aesthetic, Gardners mixed media and print work is well worth a look and a great addition to the show.

Another ECA graduate, Kate Henderson works in stained glass as well as mixed media painting. The common thread is historic architecture and the handling of light in and on these buildings. The resulting work, although not traditionally representational, is vibrant and vividly expressive.

Ahead of a solo show here at the end of June, we will also be introducing the work of <a href="http://fidrafineart.co.uk/index.php/artists/view/macinnes-jock">Jock MacInnes RGI</a>. Ive been an admirer of Jocks work for a long time now so its great to have his work in the gallery. Inspired by the work of some of the greats such as Matisse, Braque and Morandi as well as the Modern British, St Ives artists, Ben Nicolson, William Scott and Alfred Wallis, Jocks work is a genuine delight and Im sure will be perfect for a long hot summer in North Berwick!

Hope to see you at the Preview.

Silent Spaces – Cate Inglis, Jayne Stokes & Thomas Cameron

We are often encouraged to look up so as not to miss the world around us – skyscapes in the countryside or the often missed architecture of the city. The artists in our next show encourage us to pause and take another look at the urban landscapes we pass through each day. Each with a different style, all three urge us to look for beauty and charm in places or situations we might otherwise pass by.

We are delighted to welcome three hugely talented artists who are really beginning to make a name for themselves and who are regularly showing and winning prizes at the RSA, RGI and PAI.

Cate Inglis, a graduate of Glasgow School of Art, has just completed her first solo show at the Open Eye Gallery in Edinburgh. Cate’s interests lie in the transient nature of the urban environment, in particular the often melancholic and nostalgic beauty that can be found with neglected buildings that once thrived with life but now lie forgotten and derelict.

Jayne Stokes from North Berwick, a graduate of Edinburgh College of Art, is similarly inspired by the fleeting relationship we have with our environment. Often drawn to studying places that have perhaps seen better days, Jayne also manages to convey a feeling of nostalgia for the personality and character of now overlooked places.

Thomas Cameron graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design in Dundee in 2014 and had his first solo show at the Sutton Gallery in Edinburgh last year. Everyday scenes that go unnoticed in our busy lives are also the source of Thomas’s inspiration. His skillful handling of light and thoughtful composition can apply a dignity to an urban landscape that might otherwise have been lost. Influenced by film, he likens his paintings to still frames with the suggestion of a narrative, although often devoid of figures, life never seems far from view in his work.

The show opens with a Preview on Friday 15th April from 6-8pm and continues until Sunday 15th May.

Ian Cook RI RSW – Compass Points – Works from Two Continents at Two Galleries

Artwork inspired by global travel and a thirst to study diverse cultures will be on show at two Scottish galleries this March – here at Fidra Fine Art in North Berwick and simultaneously at House for an Art Lover in Glasgow.

Ian Cook’s “Compass Points” is not simply about travel but a genuine curiosity into the life and culture of the world’s indigenous peoples. What started out as a means to seek out creative inspiration for his work, travel has imbued Ian with a deep sense of compassion and tolerance towards other cultures. An empathy that is strongly apparent in his work.

In his own words…

“Virtually all the works in these two exhibitions originate in source and statement from Central and South America and Central Europe. They are a fusion of past and present elements, consisting in some part of biblical/mythical references and contemporary syndromes. Some of them personify man’s relationship with the land he arrogates or the animals he tends; others pertain to folklore and ancient cultural beliefs that still resonate in today’s society. For these reasons the human figure, in its search for greater spiritual understanding and enlightenment, prevails throughout the works.”

Ian’s work is difficult to pigeon-hole. Artistic influences range from Max Beckmann and other North European expressionists to Willem de Kooning and Edward Hopper. W. Gordon Smith in a glowing review of a major exhibition of Ian’s work of 120 paintings in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, probably best described Ian as a “figurative expressionist” which gives those not familiar with is a work an idea of what to expect.

It is entirely appropriate that such a large body of inspirational work, sourced from extensive travels can be exhibited simultaneously at two galleries spanning the breadth of Scotland. The show at House for an Art Lover is as a result of a prize awarded to Ian for work at the RSW Exhibition in 2015 and by collaborating with Fidra Fine Art in North Berwick, Ian is able to exhibit a broader range of work to a much wider audience.

We will be hosting an Opening here at Fidra Fine Art on Saturday 5th March from 12-5pm which we hope you can join us at. The exhibition will run from 5th March to 10th April here in North Berwick.

The exhibition at House for an Art Lover will run from 8th March to 18th April. An Opening evening will be held at House for an Art Lover on Thursday 10th March from 6-8pm.

Mixed Exhibition – January / February 2016

<strong>The Mixed Show starts with an Opening Night on Friday 15th January from 6-8pm and runs through to 28th February</strong>. As usual we try to show a mix of traditional, older works by well known Scottish names from the past alongside current mainstream artists as well as emerging artists both local and from further afield.

For this exhibition we are delighted to be showing the work of another of my favourite artists, Matthew Draper. Matthews handling of light in his land and seascape pastels is breathtaking. His work is regularly on show at the most well respected galleries across the UK so its a real treat to get some of his work here in North Berwick. Not to be missed!

Also new to the gallery for this show is the work of Dominique Cameron, a recent graduate from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee, Dominiques observations of the changing seasons living on the coast in the East Neuk should resonate with people on this side of the Forth.

We will also have some abstract mixed media landscape work by local artist Jean Laing and also new to the gallery, Allan Roberston, a graduate from Edinburgh College of Art who works on industrial landscape painting will also be here for the first time with a couple of interesting and haunting pier studies.

Also in the mixed show will be a few “hot of the easel” pieces by George Birrell, again not to be missed. Jayne Stokes, Angela Reaping, Georgina Bown and Andy Heald will have some new work on show and a few exquisite, reclaimed wood sculptures from Michel Rulliere.

As well as current artists work, we also have a few recently acquired pieces by John Houston, Patrick William Adam (who used to live next door to here in Ardilea a hundred years or so ago!), John Bellany and few others if we can find the space!

Hope you can make it along.

Sandy Murphy, James Cosgrove, Michael Durning & Euan McGregor

This Christmas we are delighted to welcome four very popular Ayrshire artists, each with a different and distinctive style – Sandy Murphy RSW RGI PAI, Jimmy Cosgrove RSW RGI PAI, Michael Durning PPAI PAI RSW and Euan McGregor PAI.

Sandy Murphy studied at GSA under Barbara Rae and Duncan Shanks and like them his work is typically rich in colour and texture with lovely balanced tone. These features wonderfully, capture the changing seasons in his landscapes and control the mood in his still lives.

Jimmy Cosgroves work is instantly recognisable. Like Sandy his work is rich in colour and harmonious in tone. But it is perhaps the imagery in his paintings which is so unique. He accumulates ideas from his travels abroad or from up an down his native West coast of Scotland. Ideas captured in written or painted form are posted back to his studio for further work on his return. Jimmy was a member of staff for many years at GSA, retiring as Deputy Director in 1999 to return to his own work.

Michael Durning is currently President of the Paisley Art Institute but is in the process of stepping down so he can return to focus on his own work. Michael studied at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee and then as a Postgraduate at Grays School of Art in Aberdeen. More representational in style than Jimmy and Sandys work, his work whether landscape or architectural in subject, is strong in draughtsmanship and composition but also has a real feeling of historic time and place.

Euan McGregor, fresh from a successful one man show in London, provides another dynamic to our Christmas exhibition. Currently working as a teacher in Renfrewshire, Euan studied Printmaking at GSA but still manages to find time to create his own work, exhibiting regularly at the PAI, RGI and RSA and commercial galleries up and down the UK. More abstract in style, Euan has a strong interest in mid 20th Century British landscape painting and in particular draws inspiration from the work of Ivon Hitchens, Keith Vaughn, Milton Avery and the St Ives School.

A great mix of work from four highly accomplished and much in demand artists which makes us really fortunate to have attracted them to the gallery for our Christmas Exhibition.

I hope you will join us for a glass of wine at the <strong>Preview on Saturday 5th December between 12 and 5pm</strong> where you will be able to meet the artists and discuss their work.

Joseph Urie – New Monotypes and Early Oils

We have the perfect exhibition coming up for Halloween… Joseph Urie will be here to exhibit his new monotypes as well as a number of dramatic, large (6ft square) early oils on canvas. The two styles complement each other perfectly and demonstrate a continuity of style and a mastery of the different techniques. Joe has been exploring the medium of Monotype print making over the past two years and has found it to be a perfect match to his expressive style of painting. Both in terms of subject matter – monochrome suits his dark exploration of the human condition, as well as his painterly application.

Monotypes, by definition are unique original artworks. In these cases Joe has applied both an additive process – creating the image directly onto the surface in much the same way as he would in a painting albeit the printed image will be a mirror image and also a subtractive process where the plate is covered in ink and an image is created by taking the ink off the plate. Both processes offer opportunities to explore textures and tone using different tools, pressure and techniques. In comparison to other forms of printmaking it can offer a very immediate and expressive final image but the ability to perfect, for example, a graduated tone, takes months of practice.

Joe, a graduate of Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee and the Royal Academies in London is an expressive, figurative painter and since the 60s has endeavoured to portray mans struggles to seek contentment in the face of adversities such as war, betrayal, jealousy and rejection. To portray this on the canvas Joe has developed his own symbolism. The use of animals such as cats (mysterious creatures of the night), dogs (companions, protectors), horses (Joe was once bitten by one!) and birds bearing gifts, appear often. Common too are masks to suggest duplicity and also shrouded figures which hark back to childhood memories of a mysterious old lady who would sing Scottish laments in the close below his home in Glasgow, suggest mystery, fear and protection. Although the work appears sometimes dark and troubled the inspiration for the symbolism stems from similar memories and experiences we have all encountered.

In my opinion one of the stand out images from his recent Monotypes is that of the "Dead Scarecrow" which portrays a figure grotesquely slumped, lifeless from a cross in a desolate landscape. It perfectly expresses Joes revulsion to the recent murders and destruction of artistic treasures by the ISIS movement in Syria – "men of straw". In my opinion a very fine example of expressive figurative art which wouldnt look out of place next to the work of Kollowitz, Dix and other German Expressionist artists. Visceral stuff!

I have also been fortunate to persuade Joe to show some of his larger early work. We have three (if I can get them hung) 6ft square(ish) canvasses featuring some of his well known subjects shown at the Vigorous Imagination exhibition – a landmark exhibition at the SNGMA in 1987 which launched the careers of some the most well known artists in Scotland today; Peter Howson, Ken Currie, Stephen Conroy, Steven Campbell and Adrian Wiszniewski. Several pieces havent been shown before so it is a real treat to have them here in North Berwick.

W Gordon Smith, the much loved art critic for the Scotsman once wrote of Joe, "Urie is maybe the most poetic of our contemporary painters, a unique stylist whose images are a personal synthesis of classical stricture and primitive symbolic mythology." Come and see why.

<strong>Joe will be here for the Preview on Friday 30th October from 6-8pm to which you are invited to join us. The show runs until November the 29th so if you cant make it to the Preview do try and drop in at some point. Always if you cant make the weekend feel free to visit midweek but maybe contact us first just to ensure we are not out.</strong>