The Maclaurin Art Gallery News
JEAN ARMOUR
The Maclaurin Gallery • January 14, 2019
The Jewel of them all?
Thursday 7th February in Maclaurin Gallery
The role of Jean Armour in the life of Robert Burns seems to have been routinely ignored, not so much by Burns himself as by subsequent commentators. Yet Jean was a young woman who displayed great strength of character.
Author Catherine Czerkawska talks about the extensive research that went into her novel, The Jewel, and how much her perspective on this extraordinary woman changed as she wrote about Jean's life with and without her famous husband.
Afternoon tea and shortbread.
Information on how to obtain a place will be sent out in due course.
This is our first exhibition of 2025 and it's already off to a flying start, despite having to cancel their preview event due to storm Eowyn. We are however holding a MEET THE ARTIST event on SUNDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2025 at 2pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to see some of your favourite artists from Ayr Sketch Club as well as meeting new ones. They will be around to answer your questions and chat, while you see the show. This is a free event, open to all and refreshments are provided. Just come along and enjoy!
Friday night saw a great turn out at the opening of the Degree Show for NEW MEDIA ART course at University of the West of Scotland. It's a super show of work currently on in the Patrons Gallery, running until the 5 May.
TEMPUS FUGIT - PETER HOWSON A PLAYLIST FOR FIONNBARR - FRANK MCFADDEN Two stunning new exhibitions will open at the Maclaurin on Saturday 30th March. Peter Howson’s TEMPUS FUGIT is displayed to advantage in the two largest galleries, giving space for the work to breathe. Howson, who is the Patron of the gallery, has produced some exceptional work, much of it brand new. The title in its true translation of the Latin reminds us that time passing can never be regained. There is a real clarity about the artist’s intention in this work. It is not always comfortable viewing - crowds, fighting, fire, despair, all with a strong political awareness but at the same time communicating the personal fear and angst Howson needs to share with us. Given the times in which we live we can all relate to this theme. Howson reminds us of this message, to which we need to pay heed. It is very fitting that Howson and McFadden should be exhibiting at the same time. They met many years ago when McFadden approached Howson about his work. Howson saw the potential and they have worked closely ever since. McFadden’s A PLAYLIST FOR FIONNBARR is quirky and visually fascinating, often very beautiful in an unexpected way. On one level the work is very much a personal exploration, advice from a grandfather to a grandchild - namely that the arts are important, as is the ability to think for yourself. However, a closer inspection reveals so much more. McFadden is telling us that we cannot live without the arts, they are not some sort of add-on or a pleasant diversion, they are essential. They provide a harbour from the hazards and horrors of the world. That said, he also reminds us of our own mortality, calling attention to a finite amount of time we possess to make up our own minds.