FESTIVAL —
art/Hermes
NOT A POT
New British Ceramics, Edinburgh College ol Art.
An enjoyable exhibition ol contrasts and surprises, there is something here tor everyone. Brought togetherto coincide with the General Assembly oi the Intematlonal Academy oi Ceramics taking place at the college in September, this survey at work by 34 artists tocuses on a sculptural and architectural approach to clay emphasising the material’s properties.
Of particular note are Tristan Willlams’ elegant, odd-shaped slab pots whose lines and curves catch the light, creating lorm through shadow. Organic shape is retined to a geometric outline, swelling torm and curves rise and meet in sharp points or precise angles. Sudden shifts in size - a tiny opening — bring scale. Every aspect oi the work is caretully considered; the result is clarity.
In contrast, Robert Cooper’s slab pots and jugs have transmuted themselves into wild, gnarled shapes reminiscent ol the growth of olive trees. Painted surtace patterns are encrusted belore he works with the slab. These then stretch and splinter like tree-bark in a crazy dance. Looking inside, the clay
tolds and cracks in the movement oi a ravine.
Ewan Henderson explores the material’s properties In a completely dllterent way. Here, clay is bunched up, crevlssed and pitted like limpet shells. Shapes are built up in small slabs which move upwards with curves and hollows like coral reels. Steven Buck takes the circle ol a pot or bowl and slices through it, reassembling a vessel with a play oi lines and volume reminiscent ol Haum Gabo or Mohon llagy. Gabrielle Koch's bowl and dosh are a perfect and beautitul marriage oi glaze and torm. This is an exhibition where the rewards are commensurate with the time and attention given. (Fiona Byme Sutton)
Senior and his sons and daughters liked to dabble with paints. I NATIONAL LIBRARY OF SCOTLAND George [V Bridge 226 4531. Mon—Fri 9.30am—8.30pm; Sat 9.30am—5pm; Sun 2—5pm. The Hebrides Surveyed Until 31 Oct. Scotland‘s islands seen through the eyes of a map-maker; the exhibition is both an exploration of the islands and a celebration of maps, as works of art and scientific tools. I PORTRAIT GALLERY Queen Street , 556 8921. Mon-Sat 10am—6pm; Sun 1 1am—6pm. Portrait in Focus: Robert Louis Stevenson Until 9 Sept. Also. in conjunction with the Royal Museum of Scotland. a new permanent exhibition. Dynasty: The Royal House oi Stewart. John Zephaniah Bell Until 28 Oct. Born in Dundee in 1794. Bell was influenced by the Nazarenes. a community ofGerman history painters who taught him the technique of fresco painting in Rome. Bell was frustrated in his ambition to be a history painter in fresco which is perhaps why his talents have long been overlooked. I DUEEN'S HALL Clerk Street. Box Office 668 2019. Mon—Sat 10am—5pm. Cafe. Vintage 90 Until 1 Sept. An Artis exhibition for which selected Scottish artists were asked to paint one work onthe theme of ‘The Countryside' I ROYAL INCORPORATION OF ARCHITECTS IN SCOTLAND 15 Rutland Square. 229 7545. Mon-Fri9.30am-5pm. Architecture ol the Scottish Renaissance Until 20 Sept. I ROYAL FINE ART COMMISSION FOR SCOTLAND 9 Atholl Crescent, 229 1 109. Dain 11am—4pm. Recent Cases: Exhibition at Architecture Until 2 Sept I ROYAL SCOTTISH ACADEMY The Mound, 225 6671. Mon-Sat lOam—Spm. Sun 2-5pm. Scotland's Pictures Until 16 Sept. More than 400 years of Scottish art are, forthe
first time. squeezed into one gallery. in this exhibition of works from the three National Galleries of Scotland. Husbands and wives. usually exhibited under different roofs, are happily reconciled and Old and New Masters brought together with illuminating results.
I THE SCOTTISH GALLERY 94 George Street. 225 5955. Mon—Fri 10am-6pm; Sat 10am—1pm.
.lohn Houston: Paintings Until 4 Sept. Houston still draws most of his inspiration from the East Coast of Scotland. This, his fifth Festival show with the gallery, brings together some 60 oils and watercolours.
I SOLSTICE GALLERY 18a Dundas Street, 557 5227. Mon—Fri 11am-5pm, Sat 10am—1pm.
The Edinburgh School at Painting Until 1 Sept. Paintings by Rcdpath, MacTaggart, Maxwell, Gillies, Thomson and Beaton. I STEP GALLERY 39 Howe Street, 556 1613. Mon-Sat 11am—5.30pm.
The Artists‘ Impression Until 2 Sept. Oils and watercolours from three established Edinburgh artists — Rosemary Cattrell. Janine Rolland and Jan Struther.
I 369 GALLERY 233 Cowgate. 225 3013. Mon—Sat 10.30am—5.30pm.
Still Lite into Landscape Until 25 Aug. Landscapes. still-lifes and landscapes with still-lites in them. by some of 369's regular exhibitors.
I TORRANCE GALLERY 29b Dundas Street. 5566366. Mon—Fri 11am—6pm; Sat 10.30am-4pm.
David M. Martin: Recent Work Until 1 Sept. Tom H. Shanks: West Highland Landscapes Until 1 Sept.
I WASPS Studio/Gallery, Patriot Hall, Henderson Row, Stockbn'dge, 225 1289. Mon—Sat 11am-5pm; Sun 2—5pm on exhibition days only.
North meets South Until 26 Aug. Recent work by young painters Danny McFie and Rob Daru.
I WINES FROM PARIS The Vaults. Giles Street, Leith. Daily 10am—6pm.
Edna Whyle: Drawings Until 2 Sept. A series of large line drawings inspired by life on the Island of Luing.
people are saying
‘THE BEST EXHIBITION
I HAVE
about
EDINBURGH
EVER SEEN'
ANDY GOLDSWORTHY
ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN
PAINTINGS
.fi‘
8th August - 8th September Tuesday - Saturday 10 - 5, Sunday 2 - 5
20 Chambers Street Edinburgh
MARGARET SMITH
THE ARCHITECTURE GALLERY (Under the auspices of The Talbot Rice Gallery)
University of Edinburgh
The List 34 — 30 August 1990 53
1
‘