A WHO’S Who of Scottish art has gone on show and includes artworks that can be seen for the first time.
The Edinburgh Printmakers exhibition focuses on the late 1970s, giving a snapshot of the vibrant Scottish art community over the past 40 years.
It features artists such as John Bellany, John Byrne, Alasdair Gray, Adrian Wiszniewski and Rachel Maclean.
Curator Tiffany Boyle said it was a unique opportunity to see so many celebrated artists’ works exhibited alongside each other.
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“What was particularly exciting for me as a newish member of the Edinburgh Printmakers team was discovering how many of Scotland’s well-loved artists had works made in the studios here, whether it was John Bellany’s etchings or Alasdair Gray’s vivid prints, Sam Ainsley’s bold screen prints and a rare monotone print by Rachel Mclean,” she said. “Having the opportunity to explore the archives here is like meeting the Who’s Who of Scottish art.
“It’s great to see these close connections to the printmaking community at Edinburgh Printmakers and exciting to imagine what might emerge through new relationships in the future.”
The selected works encompass a broad spectrum of print mediums, including screenprinting, etching, toyobo, embossing, lithograph, and monoprint. The selection has attempted to present a diverse and gender-balanced selection from the archive, taking into account the gaps in this respect inherent in the archives.
Boyle said one of her favourites was Ainsley’s Passion, Imagination, Conscience.
“Those words I feel in a way represent this exhibition,” she said. “Sam has been hugely influential not just in her own work nationally and internationally but also in the role she played in launching so many artists’ careers including artists like Clare Barclay and Douglas Gordon. Alongside David Harding and Sandy Moffat, Sam has been an important promoter of Scotland’s art and culture around the world.
Boyle added: “The works chosen for the exhibition were printed during a time when she was making work on banners so I wanted to place them high up in the gallery space where the vibrant colours stand out.”
Other works by artists who have represented Scotland at the Venice Biennale feature too, including lesser shown pieces by Rachel Maclean and Graham Fagen. “The exhibition celebrates the breadth and range of exceptional printmakers in Scotland working in our studio,” said Boyle.
“There’s a chance, too, to see works printed at Edinburgh Printmakers for artists on behalf of other institutions like the Fruitmarket, Jupiter Artland and others, reflecting our connections to the broader Scottish art scene.”
Other artists included in the exhibition are Fagen, Tacita Dean, Katy Dove, Stan Bonnar, Toby Paterson, Pio Abad, Hardeep Pandhal, Louise Hopkins, Peter Pretsell, Susan Philipsz, Kay Rosen, Nana Shiomi, Hanna Tuulikki and Jacqueline Donachie.
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Visitors will also have an opportunity to see archive items including a lithography stone used by Byrne for his 2014 print Moonstruck.
Chair of Edinburgh Printmakers, Mungo Campbell said: “Since moving to our new home at Castle Mills in 2019, one of the benefits of this wonderful new space has been the ability to properly catalogue, store and care for the invaluable Edinburgh Printmakers archive.
“As the organisation has grown and moved to new sites across the city over the past 50 years, what has remained is the incredible energy and creativity at the heart of the printmakers’ studio. We are delighted to be able to share this in our gallery spaces as well as giving visitors a snapshot of the importance of Edinburgh Printmakers’ role in the visual arts in Scotland.”
Workshop: Selected Works From The EP Archive runs until June 26.
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