Tom Allan

We are delighted to be exhibiting new sculpture by Tom Allan alongside the Joyce Gunn Cairns exhibition.



 

After The Carnival

Tom trained at Glasgow School of Art and also in Carrara, Italy. Sculpting since 1977, he is a regular exhibitor and prize winner at the RSA, RGI, VAS, and PAI annual open exhibitions

He is one of Scotland's most successful and well known sculptors, working with traditional materials and techniques.



Calm Head

He says, “For me sculpture in stone has been a passion for thirty-seven years. I see it as an expressive art form, shaping stone to convey emotion, as a painter uses colour and form.”

 

Towards The Lagoon

Tom’s work is in public and private collections in Europe, Australia, and the Americas. He has also participated in many sculpture symposia abroad, as well as organising four in Scotland. Commissions include public art projects in Glasgow and Motherwell, a Holocaust Memorial in Serbia, and the Lord Kelvin Memorial in Glasgow’s Necropolis.

He was elected Associate of the Royal Society of British Sculptors in 2006, and awarded the Diploma of Paisley Art Institute in 2010.

Marble Form

 Tom works and teaches at his studio in Gartcosh and also each year in Carrara.

We have six of Tom's sculptures available until 12 October.



Thanks for reading!

Natalie

Getting Ready for Sunday

 

The Liz Knox PPAI PAI exhibition previews this Sunday and as always the hanging of the beautiful paintings starts off tentatively, and then starts to take shape into a rhythm of its own.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is always a great moment when I turn round and the gallery looks anew.  Exciting and different.  And that's when I know that the hanging is going well and the new paintings are singing in tune with the space.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I never forget that the Smithy was the busy blacksmiths of this thriving village, and although its present incarnation is far more an appreciation of creativity and beauty rather than the practical hard work of the blacksmith who saw to the horses' shoes and the peoples' troubles, I like to think that we are still in tune with the history of the building and the people who lived here.

 

 

 

 

 

There is a certain resonance in the building that seems to breathe a sigh of relief when all of the mess and chaos starts to show balance and order.  Or perhaps that's just me!

 

 

 

 

Whatever it is, all I know is that with each exhibition, filling the space with new work feels like a brand new experience and I think that is because that it is.  The artist is always at the forefront of my mind as I carefully position the work that they have put so much time and care into.

 

 

 

So on Sunday we will have a gallery full of beautiful works by painter Liz Knox, accompanied by sculpture by Tom Allan.

 

For much more information, please click on the link:

 

http://www.smithygallery.co.uk/currentExhibitions.htm

 

 

This exhibition previews this Sunday 2-5pm, and continues until 17 November.

 

 

Thanks for reading!

 

 

Natalie

Liz Knox PPAI PAI

We are delighted to be hosting a solo exhibition of works by painter Liz Knox.  The exhibition previews this Sunday, and today we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the paintings in the gallery. 

 

 

Night Time Story

 

 

 

 

Observations

 

 

 

 



Orange Blinds, Amsterdam



 

It is always an exciting time when I see the new paintings being unwrapped.  Even at this point, the gallery begins to transform.  As you can see from just these three examples, Liz's work is going to look sensational as a collection.  Bright, bold, but with lots of layering and detail, the exhibition is going to be a feast for hearts and minds. 

 

We already have the exhibition available to view on our website:

 

http://www.smithygallery.co.uk/currentExhibitions.htm

 

Liz Knox is an incredibly well known and popular painter and already the interest in this exhibition has been huge.

 

 

 

 

Faun Najinsky

 

 

 

We also have a beautiful collection of sculpture by Tom Allan to accompany the exhibition.  These are also available to view on the website.

 

Exhibition dates are 29 October - 17 November.  It previews on Sunday 27th.

 

 

Thanks for reading!

 

 

Natalie

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