McLean Museum & Art Gallery - Artist in Residence Journal
Archive 1
- June 2007
- Before leaving for my summer holidays I called into the McLean Museum to attend to some work left-over from a group exhibition that had been held there recently. I was surprised but delighted to be invited by Val Boa - the Museum curator - to be their artist in residence for the forthcoming year. This is the first time the Museum has hosted an artist in residence so I am looking forward to it, although with some trepidation.
- “The Prologue” to the residency is an exciting time. Apart from researching and trying out new techniques which will be used in the artwork I keep having new ideas about things I could include. I already have enough ideas to last several residencies so I will have to focus on those that deliver the objectives best.
- July 2007
- Today Val and I met with Ronnie Forbes who is currently Artist in Residence at the Scottish Crop Research Institute in Dundee. He was good enough to pass on his thoughts and experiences from his own residency project. Much of his work uses the illusion of collage, including faux torn edges. In recent works he has developed a kind of 3D collage where he mixes "real" figures and images. His experiences of residency work and the challenges involved were inspiring and I know it will all be of great use to me both now and in the future.
- A great plus about working with the McLean is that I already feel at home having previously carried out a few projects there. I know the staff well and feel certain that they will add to the residency project as they all have great expertise in a wide variety of fields.
- August 2007
- Today I digress from my journal of the residency to record a trip along the East Coast of Fife
to the Pittenweem Arts Festival which is one of the highlights of the Scottish Arts calendar for
me. This annual event is now in its 25th year and takes place over one week with exhibition venues
spread across a large number of houses and shops throughout the town. It was up to its usual high
standard this year with an eclectic mix of artists and media. The invited artists this year were
Dame Elizabeth Blackadder RSA and her husband John Houston RSA OBE who displayed a broad range
of their work. My own favourite artist this year however was the very talented young painter Hatti
Pattisson who has already exhibited abroad – definitely one to watch for the future.
- Venue number 42 exhibited works from the Demarco Archive and I was delighted to find included in the collection a fantastic piece by none other than Ronald Forbes RSA. It was amazing to experience the live work so soon after meeting the artist himself. Another highlight of the day for me. I am already looking forward to next year!
