ART & EXHIBITIONS LIST
history paintings.
I NATIONAL GALLERY OF SCOTLAND The Mound, 556 8921. Mon—Sat 10am-5pm: Sun 2-5pm.
The Vaughan Bequest and the Campbell Vignettes Until 31 Jan. Breathe a sigh for the annual showing of the National Gallery‘s Turner‘s, exquisite little gems that they are. This is the first time that the 38 Turner watercolours and the 20 illustrations are shown in the new drawings exhibition area giving more room and viewing space for what is one of the gallery‘s yearly highlights.
Drawings and Prints by Andrew Geddes (1783-1844) Until 31 Jan. One ofthe first 19th century artists to rediscover the possibilities ofetching. Overshadowed in his time by friend and contemporary David Wilkie. little remains ofGeddes‘ painted work. This is a rare opportunity to see a selection of his graphic work. both prints and drawings.
I Drawings by the fluncimans 4 Feb—26 April. Alexander and John Runciman were probably the most original draughtsmen in Scotland in the 18th century. This is a selection of their work from the national collection.
I Dutch and Flemish Landscape Drawings 4 Feb-26 April. 17th century works in the northern landscape tradition which Was developed in Haarlem around that time. Artists like van Goyen. van Ruisdale and Hobbema are represented.
I NATIONAL LIBRARY OF SCOTLAND George 1V Bridge. 226 4531. Mon—Fri 9.30am—5pm; Sat 9.30am-Ipm: Sun 2pm-5pm.
Bridle Until Feb 1989. As Dr Osborne Henry Mavor he practised medicine and as James Bridie he wrote over 3(iplays. founded the Glasgow Citizen‘s Theatre and counted Bernard Shaw. Tyrone Guthrie and Laurence Olivier among his friends and contacts. This double life (1888— 1951 ) is explored in an exhibition
which ends the centenary yeir of Bridie‘s birth. a year which has already been full of plays and revivals of his work in Scotland‘s theatres. Here. yet another aspect ofhis talents is added to Bridie‘s portfolio of achievements in a selection of cartoons and sketches. A new book on‘Bridic written by his son Ronald Mavor (himself a professor ofdrama in Canada) hasjust been published by Canongate. price £7.95. available from bookshops and at the exhibition.
I NETHERDDW 43 High Street. 556 9579. Mon—Sat lOam-4.30pm and evenings when performances. Cafe.
Neil Stewart and Sax Shaw Until 28 Jan. Watercolours by last month‘s exhibiting artist and stained glass from inimitable Edinburgh artist. Sax Shaw.
I OPEN EYE GALLERY 75 Cumberland Place. 557 1020. Mon—Fri 10am—6pm. Sat 10am—4pm.
Dorothy Stirling - Constructions 28 J an— 1 6 Feb.
Gillian Carson and Melanie McClure- Ceramics 28 Jan-16 Feb.
I PALACE OF HOLYROODHOUSE Tel 556 7371 for information.
The Highlanders ot Scotland Until April. Watercolours by Kenneth MacLeay, one ofthe founding members ofthe Royal Scottish Academy and a great favourite of Queen Victoria. Throughout his career he carried out several commissions for her. including portraits of her husband and sons. and then a series of clan chiefs. That commission was undertaken at the height of the tartan ‘rage'. which blossomed during Victoria‘s reign as a direct result of George IV's successful visit to Edinburgh in 1822. Duringthis time. tartanswere invented and made inaccurately for the English or Anglicised fans ofthe material. I PORTFOLIO GALLERY AT PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP 43 Candlemaker Row. 220 1911.Tue—Sat 1().3()am—5.3Upm.
Calum Colvin Until 11 Feb. This exhibition
‘\ 'w.& an. . The Young Collector by Pierre Guimond
INDIVIDUAL IMAGES
Stills Gallery, Edinburgh
Yes, as the catalogue says, the exhibition at Canadian photography is of high quality. Large prints by Lynne Cohen and Donigan Cumming use black and white to capture subtleties 01 image in shadow and light. Colour in the hands at Miklos Legrady glitters and as used by Cheryl Sourkes becomes a personal rainbow, highlighting objects in her photographs at random. Carole Conde and Karl Beverldge use the language at advertising to slick their collage into a satire on the nuclear age.
It is true too (as the catalogue states) that this exhibition does not seem to represent a particular trend in Canadian photography unless that trend is one of individualism. What does link most at the work is an expression of hopelessness. ln dltterent ways all but one have their
backs to the wall.
Donigan Cumming, using the shock tactics ol Diane Arbus, takes what seem to be real sets and stages them as photographic images. Old and worn people are at home in littered, inhospitable places. They are as depressing as they are realistic. Pierre Guimond, in more cynical mood, recreates the surrealistic collage of the thinies with Eighties themes. One at the most poignant has tew components — a small Chinese boy has changed his Mao suit for a T-shirt stamped with a barcode.
The duo Carole Conde and Karl Beveridge photograph a nucleartamily growing up and ill. Ignorance blossoms into domestic bliss blind oi danger. The unambiguous message is brazened out in colour.
Equally unambiguous, but perhaps more subtle, are the inside views of a patriarchal world by Lynne Cohen. Vaguer menacing, the otiice could become a title range simply by moving outthe desk.
0t all the photographers it is only Cheryl Soukes who has the aesthetic ol photography uppermost in her mind. The rest work away, without humour, at issues ol a serious, sometimes devastating nature.
This is an interesting exhibition both because at its origins and personality, but going back to the catalogue the introduction admits that it does not ‘distil the best or the most significant Canadian photo-work ol the Eighties.’ Why not? (Alice Bain)
Hunterian Art Gallery University of Glasgow
FROM McTAGGART TO EARDLEY
Watercolours and Drawings from the Scottish Collection 19 November — 15 April 1989
Mon-Fri 9.30am—5pm; Sat 9.30am-1pm Admission Free Tel: 041 330 5431
HANOVER-FINE-ARTS
RONALD MAVOR ‘Villefranche Paintings ’ 30th January—15th February, 1989
Also on view: Paintings and Prints from stock .Mon-Fri 10.00am—5.30pm; Sat 10.003m—4.00pm
22A DUNDAS STREET ' EDINBURGH EH3 6JN TELEPHONE 031-556 2181
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OPEN NOW! Edinburgh’s newest gallery showing Scotland‘s newest artists SEE THE FIRST SHOW Charles Stiven ‘Recent Works’
23 January — 15 February Tues— Sat, 11—6 54 Constitution Street. Leith, Edinburgh 031 553 4536
The List 27 January — 9 February 51