VISUAL ART
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A NEW ERA: SCOTTISH MODERN ART 1900–1950 The untold story of Scottish Modernism
A New Era presents surprise after surprise. In both lesser known works by well-known artists – such as JD Fergusson’s cheeky semi-abstract ‘Etude de Rhythm’ (pictured) – and artists the viewer may be unfamiliar with, it’s clear Scots were rubbing shoulders with modernism from its earliest days. Curator Alice Strang traces the movement
chronologically, from radical pre-war experiments to the 1950s abstracts of Alan Davie, William Gear and Wilhelmina Barns-Graham. She has also brought back some of the ladies from Modern Scottish Women: futurism by Agnes Miller Parker, surrealism by sisters Doris and Anna Zinkeisen and a charming little known work by Cecile Walton. With no more than a couple of works on show
by most of the artists, it is not always clear whether their engagement with modernism was a commitment or a brief dalliance. William Johnstone was clearly committed: his dark, beautiful abstract ‘A Point in Time’ is one of the stars of the show, as was William Crosbie, who trained with Leger.
Other works, such as James Cowie’s strange, mesmerising ‘Evening Star’, appear in a fresh light in this context. Whether the show reveals a complete untold story, or simply fragments of one, is not clear, but it leaves the viewer hungry to know more. (Susan Mansi eld) ■ Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern Two), Edinburgh, until Sun 10 Jun ●●●●●
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1 Feb–31 Mar 2018 THE LIST 91