Twenty Nineteen brought many great cultural highlights and the grand re opening of Aberdeen Art Gallery had been hotly anticipated by many although it's hit a few bumps along the way. With a new rooftop extension creating 3 new gallery spaces and a complete overhaul of the existing building including new staircases and accessible lifts, the project has been estimated to cost 34.6 million pounds, being 4 1/2 million over initial costing estimates. As one friend pointed out, imagine what grass roots organisations working with in the arts could do with that kind of money! It's a valid point as many of us try to jump through hoops with funding applications for a couple of thousand pounds for our own public projects and events.
When the time finally came for me to set foot back into the gallery, I was filled with a mix of excitement and trepidation. I've had a long standing relationship with the gallery, beyond moaning about the staff, and have fond memories of discovering it in the early 2000's during my college years, the few black and white photographs I took of the space being some of my favourites from that time. The gallery seemed to offer quite a unique view of the city and its inhabitants and I'd spend hours watching people mill around the main atrium and fountain, the upper balcony provided a great vantage point for observing my fellow Aberdonian's. The collection was also really interesting, exposing me to large scale painting and sculpture by name's I'd never heard of before. Walking through the revolving door and knowing the spooky portrait by Ken Currie was waiting became almost comforting while seeing familiar friends Gilbert & George through in the next room with their maximalist work provided a feeling of being confused and overwhelmed in equal measure.
It's only in later years I truly came to appreciate the galleries art collection with many notable works by some of the most esteemed names in the art world. A quick browse through the galleries online collection throws up contemporary artists like Tracy Emin, Damien Hirst and the Chapman Brothers along with old masters like William Dyce and legendary 20th century painters Francis Bacon and Bridget Riley to name a few. These names take on a new meaning when looking at the canon of British art history but I have to admit, meant very little to this teenager from Mastrick. But the art still had an impact, exploring the work in the gallery aroused an interest that's become my passion and the thing that brings me joy. Indeed art is a way for me to connect with people but it also provides a route to understanding ourselves and our city. It captures events that predate cameras and electricity and give us a window into Aberdeen of old but also an insight into some of the greatest creative minds of the 20th century.
The Art Gallery collection can transport you back in time and connect you with Scottish history, it can show you visions of the future from the past like Bill Gibb's 1970's fashion designs but it's also bang up to date with new additions like the Glaze Spectrum by Helen Love showcasing the progressive approach the gallery is taking. The new presentation of the collection which covers so much more than just painting and sculpture is enhanced with new hands on displays from Studio Arc. Although there's a lot to take in, information about the work is accessible and there's something nice about seeing young kids pulling open the drawers to play with paint brushes and other creative elements. I'll admit that some of the prominent pieces in the collection feel a little side lined in favour of information displays but it's actually quite impressive to be able to rediscover so many great works along with a host of pieces that have been kept in storage for decades. Where once paintings took pride of place at the centre of the gallery, bronzes and statues now take up the main courtyard, harking back to the gallery from the 1920's and again bridging the gallery of old to the gallery of now .
The exhibition spaces have been opened up and it creates a nice flow through the gallery. The James McBey library is accessible and welcoming where previously it was tucked away and felt overlooked. The new stairwells look and feel like something from a Stanley Kubrick film and the addition of the new top deck and roof terrace provide some unique views of the city. It's a shame that developers have encased the old kirk across from the gallery in gaudy architetcure, obliterating part of the view and adding to the councils obsession with boring tower blocks but you can't have it all. However, the new spaces provide opportunities for visiting exhibitions, kicked off by Scottish photographer Martin Parr's 'Think of Scotland' show. Along with new gallery spaces they've created a host of rooms suitable for creative workshops and learning events. Of course the Covid 19 pandemic has knocked that on the head for now but hopefully well see them buzzing with activity again soon. And these new spaces will allow the gallery to continue its community based workshops and events, an aspect which I'd previously overlooked. During the opening week artist KMG was on hand to give kids a chance to screen print a special design she'd created to commemorate the grand re opening. Hundreds of kids passed through the doors, each leaving with their own hand printed art work while a few brave adults also had a shot!
It's by no means perfect and there will be criticisms but I think Aberdeen Art Gallery is listening and perhaps ready to engage with more voices. With gaps in their collection for contemporary Scottish and especially Aberdeen based artists, they have their work cut out in making sure that the collection stays relevant to the city. Also opening up their spaces to a wider audience will be important although they had already re-introduced their gallery late events with creative workshops & drinks, hosted a gig in the Cowdary Hall and played host to giant tentacles as part of Spectra. With over 100,000 visitors in its first 3 months the gallery will be a vital tool in the cities regenration as a cultural destination with ownership and praise being claimed from all corners. But regardless of all of the political back slapping, facebook rants, personal squabbles and boring comparisons to other cities big galleries, Aberdeen Art Gallery belongs to us, all of us and its pretty special. Although Covid has changed life as we know it, it's a good sign that the gallery is once again opening it doors to the public. I'm glad its back because I'd missed it, perhaps more than I'd realised!
