Still dreaming.
May 27, 2010 § Leave a Comment
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Lewis boy Colin Macleod is absolutely knocking them dead right now. Playing Glasgow again this Friday at Oran Mor and new album “Fireplace” is out on Geffen on July 12th.
Dòmhnall Fearghasdan
May 23, 2010 § 1 Comment
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Donald Ferguson was born in Barra in 1962 and died tragically in 2008.
He is one of the very few island artists who, to my mind, have truly captured the Hebrides in their work.
May sees the opening at Taigh Chearsabhagh of ‘Taobh an Iar’, a retrospective exhibition of his exceptional creativity. The exhibition, extending to both Gallery 1 and 2, is accompanied by a full colour publication illustrating his development as an artist.
Sophie Morrish, a tutor on the LCC BA in Fine Art at Taigh Chearsabhagh where Donald studied, says of his work: ‘From early on the subject of Donald’s work was indivisible from the love of his native environment and culture of the Outer Hebrides, the progression of his creative output reflecting his close involvement with the land, natural history and the traditions of crofting.
‘Never one to be easily pleased by his achievements, Donald was known to burn paintings that didn’t convince him. It was as though their continuing existence would have interfered with the clarity of his development. He was a highly self-critical artist with exacting standards, standards that were driven forward by his integrity and commitment to his work. Whilst this makes the task of curating an exhibition frustrating, we can be assured that any works that have survived from this period, are possessed of some aspect that interested or revealed potential to him.
‘The American realist painter Edward Hopper, (1882-1967), famously asserted, “If I could say it in words there would be no reason to paint” – If we imagine this the primary characteristic of some hitherto undefined legion of artists, Donald Ferguson would surely have counted among their number.’
As Rory Macneil of Barra says: ‘This exhibition is a small gesture of thanks to Donald for all he gave to his friends and the communities of which he was a part. We hope it opens the way for his work to be appreciated by others who did not have the privilege of knowing Donald, and for them to reflect on whether Donald does not deserve wider recognition among predecessors like McTaggart and Eardley.’
Arts Officer, Andy Mackinnon says: ‘Taigh Chearsabhagh is proud to be able to present this definitive exhibition and accompanying publication to celebrate Donald’s creativity. The task of collecting and cataloguing Donald’s work from the many admirers of his painting from all over Britain was only made possible with the assistance of Mary Clare Ferguson, Rory Macneil, Julie Brook, Sophie Morrish, Margaret MacLellan, Norman MacLeod and the overwhelming generosity of the lenders of the work.’
Tom me, his work in charcoal, oil stick and acrylic is simply incredible. Real, evocative, and true.
The exhibition runs till the 26th of June.
Bac(k)
May 23, 2010 § 2 Comments
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Just back from two weeks in the wilds of Uig to the city of jakes, fakes and c*&%s on the make.
Didn’t exactly live like Mac An t-Stronaich though and after 9 months graft without a break the time back home did me the world of good.
More thoughts on love, life & Lewis soon, meantime I need to unpack and get seven sticks of marag into the fridge.
