The Maclaurin Art Gallery News
Open Studios Ayrshire winners at Paisley Art Institute Annual Open Exhibition
The Maclaurin Gallery • May 30, 2023
A fantastic opening afternoon at the Maclaurin Art Gallery in May for the Paisley Art Institute 134th annual open exhibition! There was a great turn out, some lovely speeches and best of all - lots of fantastic art.
Several artist members from Open Studios Ayrshire were honoured. Amongst the prize winners were Dianne Gardner, Ian Leyden, Bobby Johnstone and Lorna Hutcheson.
Our other members exhibiting at the show were Kerry Souter, Louise McBride, Ian McKinnell, Sandra Ratcliffe and Lisa Brown. So Open Studios Ayrshire were well represented.
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.
Saturday 27 January until Thursday 7 March 2024 Our first exhibition of the year and what better way to start it than with this popular show; always a crowd pleaser! In fact, Ayr Sketch Club has been exhibiting with us since our doors opened back in 1977, some 47 years ago! They currently have around 50 active members and their work (for sale) will be shown in 3 of our galleries. For those who would like more information about the Club, hop onto their website at www.ayrsketchclub.com . We look forward to your visit here at the gallery.