We're onto issue # 23 and I have to say despite lock down 3 there's been a lot of good things happening across the city and beyond. So here's my take on what's been good these past few months...
Kicking things off we have Kathryn Johnson and her new set of paintings 'The Lewis Collection' which as the name suggests features a selection of lush works that capture some of the beauty of the island and its incredible beach views. I visited a friend on Lewis many years ago now after a mini nervous break down and the island and its people had such a healing effect on me, especially my friends family who took me in as one of their own. Kathryn has not only captured the views of the island but also created a nice little buzz by using her instagram to hype up the release of the paintings, many of which have sold. You can read Kathryns spiel about the show below (peep it here) and after the last 12 months I think ill be due a trip to Lewis again soon, this time in better spirits.
"I’ll be launching a limited collection of works made from my recent trip to the Isle of Lewis. It was such a reflective time to be away in the van for two weeks completely isolated after a year where everything has changed. This was the trip I dreamed of pursuing when I made the jump to painting full-time and after all the plans that got postponed and cancelled during the year, I was so pleased to pull this one off.
These little glimpses of my time on this magical island deserved to be seen in their own right. Some pieces I made there in situ watching and listening to the waves, the light and the day. Others have kept this wonderfully freeing time alive since returning to the studio at the start of this year. Filled with wonder, longing, love and sadness for the year that we all experienced, this collection of 18 paintings mean a lot to me."
The Grays Painting Pre Degree is normally a chance to check in with the up coming art school graduates before they knuckle down for their final push to finish their degree course which is capped off with the very public celebrations as they present their final show. Last year saw the Degree show move online and to be honest it's looking like we'll be seeing the same this year. Not to be disheartened, this years painting students have curated a special pre degree show event titled 'Cusp' with featured works and enlightening artist bios. I think its important to note that most of these paintings have been created in home studios and spare rooms due to the student campus being shut but the quality of the works makes me thing we're in for a treat in June all the same. You can check out the full show and artworks for sale here and ill be taking a more in depth look at the show soon.
Nuart friend AddFuel has also been adapting to current restrictions in Lisbon where his recent 'Chronos Redux' exhibition took place the Underdogs Gallery. With the scope for a physical show great reduced the team instead created a buzz by hosting a special 48 hour online show over the weekend. Anyone familiar with his work will recognise his distinctive blue & white tile patterns which have been rendered across a host of mediums including prints, original works and of course special tile pieces which mirror his ripped layers technique which can be seen in his street art murals. The thought of trying to break the tiles and create those ripped edges gives me sweaty palms but as with his Aberdeen mural it that attention to detail that really elevates the work to a new level. Although much of the pieces sold over the weekend and the show is now closed I will be doing a proper piece about the show soon.
The team at Experimental Use Of Space are back and are open for submissions for their 2021 show as part of the Haddo Arts Festival set to take place at Haddo House in October so plenty of time to get a proposal together. Of course none of us can be sure how things will look by October but as many of the spaces are located out doors it shouldn't be an issue. You can find full details about applying for the via their thesis length facebook post here.
Kozmik Nougat has risen from his winter hybernation and is smashing out lots of cool work at the moment in the shape of these mini clay sculptures, finished with added Kozmik colourings! I was pretty taken by his new characters and decided to get one for valentines day as a suprise for Mary but it turns out she had the same idea and had bought one as well so we now have two of these little guys sitting on out mantlepiece. It's like having a pet without the mess to tidy up. Be sure to check out more on the Kozmik Nougats / Kozmik Friends pages.
Currently based in Edinburgh, Greg Bryce has been making the most of his lock down time sorting out his painting archive and getting to grips with some new canvases. I remember stumbling into a sculptural shack that formed part of Greg's degree show way back in 2011 and its cool to see all his sculpture work and abstract work collected together on his new website (check it out here).
The team at GHAT have been busy with a 3 month project exploring life after covid which gave NHS staff and visitors the chance to write on the walls in the Suttie gallery space turning it into an evolving diary of thoughts and things that had helped them through the current crisis. Although we might think the Covid numbers didn't get too out of control in Aberdeen the pressures and strain put on NHS staff has been pretty constant and I hope all the good will towards key workers can be used for some good down the line, like a pay rise that results in more than £3.50 a week.
The project came to its final conclusion when various words and phrases from the gallery walls were projected onto the new ARI car park. The team write "Last Saturday, we projected some of the quotes that graced our walls on the outside of the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary as a way to thank all staff at Foresterhill and celebrate so many wonderful people. It was also our way of bringing what's often left inside to the outside, to share words that may seem particular but are truly universal. It was an unforgettable night."
Check out videos of the projections here.
Small Stories has been on a roll again with her colourful illustration of famous Aberdeen buildings and landmarks adding the Red Lion pub, Books & Beans and the old One Up records building to the mix. I've been exploring Aberdeen of old thanks to a few book recommendations from friends and have been lamenting some of the buildings and spaces that were ripped down to make way for bland shopping centres. It's great to have Small Stories serving up reminders of the cities wonderful architectural heritage 1 drawing at a time!
A highlight from the last 12 months has been discovering Bisou Gallery on instagram. Based in the Netherlands, Bisou Gallery work with selected artists who share a sort of graphic sensibility within their work and have been sharing some amazing artworks. Contemporary works by Pascal Duval with their melted lines sit along side the super geometric works from Faan Olgers who's sharp woodblock designs have me reaching for a chisel! Be sure to check out Bisou Gallery and ill take a deeper look at what they're doing soon.
To finish up I'm looking back at 'Frances The Mute' by The Mars Volta which came out in February 2005! I was lucky to catch At The Drive In at T in the Park as they ripped up one of the smaller stages and a packed out tent. With a massive break out album it was a shock when the band split a year later in 2001. Band members Cedric & Omar returned in 2002 as The Mars Volta with the Tremulant EP and their debut album 'De-Loused in the Comatorium' followed a year later. Where At The Drive In was hardcore punk this new band played music that was more akin to 70s guitar prog and early Santana with elongated guitar solo's and a distinctly more riff heavy latin american sound. 'Frances the Mute' added a slightly harder edge to things although aligned them more with the live sound and energy of their gigs. I was lucky to see them a few times in The Barrowlands as the afroed duo flew across the stage in a hurricane of energy and noise. I haven't listened to the Volta in a few years so it's nice to have a reminder to dig out their records. Although my Mars Volta tattoo should do that as well!
