ART & EXHIBITIONS LIST
SYSTE
Gordon Muir, Paintings, Third Eye Centre, Glasgow.
Gordon Muir's paintings depict new versions of social control and cultural domination as lorms ot oppression change and reality take on an ever more differentiated lorm. Weaving diverse elements trom music, working class history, civil conllicts and symbolism lrom other cultures, he presents a contemporary critique through painting which awakens memories at political struggles irom the past, whilst reflecting on the present and perceiving common languages at determined resistance.
As the West blindly holds a mirror to civil revolution in Eastern Europe and sees the image at capitalist supremacy, Gordon Muir paints the recurrent nature ol history trom a critical position on which the viewer is compelled to rellect.
‘For Ethel Macdonald’ is a tribute to the Scottish anarchist who became the English-speaking propagandist tor republican radio during the Spanish Civil War, was jailed by the
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communists, helped lellow prisoners to escape and became known as the ‘Spanish Pimpernel’. The militancy oi Scotland’s past, the 40 hours strike in Glasgow 1919 and the raising ol the red flag in George Square, is one oi the multiple relerences in ‘The Gut Of The Guantiiier’. Images at crumbling, inadequate high-rise blocks, civil disobedience at Barlinnie against a culture at surveillance and brutal corruption, two little yellow Mr Men (the lacile corporate symbol at the ‘cultural translormation’ at Glasgow) narcissistically wounded in power till the canvas and lorce a social and cultural rethink. The history repeats, the lorms oi exploitation change. Ernst Fischer commented ‘Why should socialist art not learn lrom Egyptian or Asian sculpture, lrom Gothic art, trom icons?’ Gordon Muir synthesises new lorms to shape visual statements which are culturally enriching, powerlul and committed to an aesthetics ol sell-determination and syncretic hope. (Lorna J. Waite)
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Mon—Fri 9.30am-5.30pm; Sat 9.30am—12.30pm
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The Winter Collection of Paintings and Drawings
McCALL plus many others.
which will be held at the City Art Centre until 6January.
I THE SCOTTISH GALLERY 94 George Street. 225 5955. Mon-Fri 1(1am—6pm: Sat 10am—1pm.
Sea and Shore Until 23 Dec. The Christmas exhibition will have a marine theme running through it. The show will include paintings by Black. Eardley. Houston. Peploe and Watson as well as carvings. constructions. ceramics and glasswork.
Beatrice Huntingdon and William MacDonald 5—30 Jan. The couple spent most oftheir lives in Edinburgh and were friends of Peploe in the 20s. Beatrice painted mainly portraits while her husband ‘Spanish‘ MacDonald concentrated on landscapes and townscapes.
I SCOTTISH RECORD OFFICE West Register House. Charlotte Square. 556 6585. Mon—Fri l()am—4pm.
' Strange Revolutions: Scolland1688—89
Until further notice.
I STEP GALLERY 39 Howe Street. 556 1613. Mon—Fri Ham—5.30pm: Sat 11am—4pm; Sun 12—3pm.
Christmas Show Until 31 Dec (closed 25—27 Dec & 1 Jan). A mixed show from the Gallery‘s stock.
The gallery will then have a mixed exhibition ofcontemporary work throughout January.
I STILLS GALLERY 105 High Street. 557 1140. Tue—Sat 1 lam—5.30pm.
Picturing Women: Part 2 Until 22 Dec. The photographs of Lorna Bates. who focuses her work on the Family Album. and Della Mathieson. who documents the livesof Scottish Asian Women. form the second part ofthis exhibition.
Other Than ltsell 13 J an—ll) Feb. Four photographers explore the ability ofthe camera to relate a story.
I TALBOT RICE ART GALLERY Old College. University of Edinburgh. South Bridge. 667 1011.Tue—Sat 10am—5pm.
The next exhibition will be Three Scottish Artists 6 Jan—3 Feb. The threesome being Mooney. Thomson and Fergusson.
I THEATRE WORKSHOP 3411amilton Place. 226 5425. Mon—Sat 1(lam—5pm and late during performances.
Testament Until 4 Jan. The pictures by Lawrence Nowosad set out to examine the widening gaps in Scottish society.
I 369 GALLERY 233 Cowgate. 225 3013. Mon—Sat 1().3()am—5.3()pm.
Fionna Carlisle Until 27 Jan (closed 24 Dec—3 Jan). A retrospective exhibition of paintings from this Scottish artist who was one of the first to exhibit at the 369 in 1978. She is now resident in Crete and her swirling gestures and bright colours bring some Greek sunshine to the Cowgate. Small Paintings tor Christmas Until 23 Dec. A mixed show of work by artists from 369. Artists’ Group Winter Exhibition Until 23 Dec. A selection of work from the artists who use the six studios at the gallery.
Klell Torriset 6—27 Jan. Recent work by the visiting Norwegian artist in residence who has been at the gallery since the Norwegian art exhibition during the Festival.
Claudia Petretti 6—27 Jan.
Winter Art Classes will begin 8 January— contact the gallery for details.
I TORRAHCE GALLERY 29b Dundas Street. 556 6366. Mon—Fri 11am—6pm; Sat l().3()am—4pm.
Christmas Exhibition Until 30 Dec. ()ils. watercolours and pottery as well as metal sculpture by Les Drummond and jewellery by Sheana Stephen will be on show. The gallery will be closed until 8 January. from which date they will be showing work from the gallery's stock until 15 January.
I TRAVERSE THEATRE 112 Westbow. Grassmarket. 226 2633. Tue—Sat
11am—1 1pm.
The Twelve Days at Christmas Until 22 Dec. Throwing themselves into the festive spirit. Artis have commissioned twelve
Scottish artists to produce new work on the above theme.
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A selection at exhibitions outside Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Aberdeen
I ABERDEEN ART GALLERY Schoolhill . 0224 646333. Mon—Sat lllam—Spm (Thurs until 8pm). Sun 2—5pm.
Moonminds Until 20 Jan (closed 25. 26 Dec & 1—3 Jan). A Teachers‘ Whisky award exhibition by Arlene lsbester.
MUSEUMS
A selective round-up ot Museums listed lirst by city, then by venue. running in alphabetical order.
GLASGOW
I BURRELL COLLECTION Pollokshaws Road. 649 7151. Mon—Sat 1(1am—5pm'. Sun 2—5pm. Cafe. [D]
A wealth of treasure collected by Edwardian tycoon William Burrell.
I HUNTERIAN MUSEUM The University of Glasgow. 339 8855. Mon—Fri 9.3(iam—5pm: Sat 9.3(lam— 1 pm.
Roman Scotland From the AirThis year’s dry summer. remember that. has led to a host of new discoveries pertaining to the Roman occupation of Scotland. This exhibition of photographs taken by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments ofScotland illustrates the extent of the occupation.
I PEOPLE'S PALACE MUSEUM Glasgow (ireen. 5540223. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm: Sun 2—5pm. Cafe. Disabled access by arrangement.
A new display. chronicling life in 17th century Glasgow. includes the reconstruction of a room in a Stockwell Street mansion that was demolished in 1976.
I RUTHERGLEN MUSEUM King Street. 647 ()837. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm. Sun 2—5pm. Various artefacts pertaining to some ofthe many facets of life in Rutherglen.
I SPRIHGBURN MUSEUM Ayr Street (adjacent to Springburn Railway Station). 557 1405. Mon—Fri 1().3(lam—5pm; Sat 1(lam—4pm: Sun 2—5pm.
Working Lives: Images of Scotland at Workin the 19808 Until 12 Dec. Photographs selected from ten Scottish museums to represent the changes in our working lives.
I SUMMERLEE HERITAGE TRUST West Canal Street. Coatbridge. (123631261. 100 Years oi Women's Banners Until 30 Nov. Contemporary and historical banners reflecting a centenary ofstruggle.
EDINBURGH
I CANOHGATE TOLBODTH Royal Mile. 225 2424. Mon—Sat 1(1am-6pm.
The People's Story The Museum has been established to relate the story ofthe people of Edinburgh. told in their own words and through photographs and re—created tableaux.
I ROYAL MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND Chambers Street. 225 7534. Mon—Sat mam—5pm; Sun 2—5pm.
Wealth ol a Nation Until 31 Dec. A major exhibition ofthe wealth. intrinsic and otherwise. that our museums contain. Many of the items are currently poorly housed and part of the reason for the show is to drum up support for the construction of new buildings on Chambers Street.
I SCOTTISH AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM Ingliston. Mon—Fri 10am-5pm. Agriculture still plays an important role in Scotland's culture and this museum looks at the old trades and skills ofthe countryside.
The Sword and the Plough A special exhibition exploring the changes brought by two World Wars and their effect on the communities and the landscape.
54 The List 22 December 1989 - 11 January 1990