McLean Museum & Art Gallery - Artist in Residence Journal
Archive 2
- November 5
- Why have I decided to write a journal? I have never kept any form of diary in my life.
Maybe I have not felt sufficiently interested in anything I have done before to write about it. My life has been quite unremarkable.
I have felt driven to write a journal of the residency for three reasons:
- I want to record this journey so I can look back in the future as it may be a once in a lifetime experience.
- It may not be a once in a life time experience in which case I want to learn from it and be able to go forward and improve in future projects.
- I wish to share this journey with others who are interested.
- November 9
- For those who do not know it the McLean Museum is a fantastic place to undertake a residency.
It is not one of those cold fusty places smelling of age. On approaching it from the outside the
architecture is amazingly extravagant and it is like going to work in a castle. The building stands
in a beautiful garden with large flowerbeds that are changed to compliment each season. On stepping
inside you are not disappointed for here is an Aladdin’s cave of treasures wonderfully displayed
and a source of never ending inspiration.
- November 14
- On Monday I lunched with an old friend in Princes Square in Glasgow and ironically learned later that the building has a link with the McLean. A magnificent peacock sculpture by the renowned Scottish artist George Wyllie resides in the garden of the McLean adjacent to the entrance to the museum. This sculpture was originally commissioned to highlight the entrance into Princes Square by The Guardian Royal Exchange as the owners of the buildings at that time. The sculpture - Caged Peacock - is constructed from stainless steel and glass and stands 3m high and 2m across. I think the bird has found a better home . . .
