Friday, April 20, 2012

Packing a Punch


The Alasdair Gray and Joyce Gunn Cairns exhibition has already enjoyed an amazing number of visitors and I'm delighted to say that the sales haven't stopped since the opening on Sunday.





The gallery looks and feels quite different.  There is so much to absorb visually, and as people approach the works and start to read, they find themselves entering the unique world of Alasdair Gray, or of one of Joyce's favourite poems.


 


I know what the different feeling is - it's gentle and reflective. 

Often an exhibition is bold, colourful, commanding. What I find interesting is that this is possibly the boldest exhibition that the gallery has had, with the most arresting works by fearless and uncompromising artists. And yet it feels very calm. 

Maybe it's the subtlety of impact.  Alasdair's screen prints are of his beautiful and intricate drawings, and it's not until you read the literary content that they pack a real punch. 

And Joyce's subject matter often involves life at its rawest, but she descibes this in such a muted and gentle way. 




These two really are great artists and the gallery has been transformed into something quite special.  

We also have some very strong work from sculptor Tom Allan punctuating the gallery space.  As people meander through, they read, they discuss, they look through the signed copy of Alasdair's latest book, 'A Life in Pictures' and they take their time to peruse the lenghty and impressive CVs on display.


It feels very special to me, and I'm so glad to have four more weeks to enjoy the experience.


Thanks for reading!


Natalie


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