Exhibitions at The Swanson Gallery, Thurso Library
Gallearaidh Swanson, Inbhir Theòrsa
Davidson's Lane, Thurso KW14 7AS
M, T, W - 1 to 5pm, Fr – 1 to 8pm, Sat - 10am to 1pm
Closed Thurs and Sun Admission Free
Current Exhibition:
ThreeSixFive
TriSiaCoig
A Year in the Highlands and Islands
A collaboration with Fin Macrae
9th January - 13th February 2010
In 2007 Fin Macrae ran a photography project for Highland 2007 that was wide reaching and diverse. From Shetland in the North to Argyll & Bute, the Western Isles to Moray in the East, 52 people were selected to document a week in their lives - a photo for every day. They were given digital Canon SLRs and told to shoot whatever they wanted...These 365 images formed a visual diary or portrait of what life is like in the Highlands & Islands in the 21st century. Participants included a mix of well known Highland personalities, such as chart topping DJ Mylo from Skye, World Curling Champion Ewan MacDonald from Inverness, the Academy award winning actress Tilda Swinton from Nairn, as well as some less known faces. All provided their unique insight into Highland & Island life. Alongside this were portraits of all the participants themselves, all shot on traditional monochrome film using a Mamiya medium format camera. These portraits are touring throughout 2009-2010 to various locations with all 365 images taken by the participants themselves.
Forthcoming Exhibtions:
Natural Magic - Calum Colvin
20th February - 27th March 2009
Recent Exhibitions: 3/6 to 27/6
Matisse: Drawing with Scissors
Some Feedback
'Wonderful' 'Groovy' 'A Revelation of Colour' 'Very Helpful' 'Excellent' 'We are so luck' 'Lovely to have this exhibition in the Swanson' 'Interesting and colourful - matching the sun outside' 'A very busy week at the gallery' (attendant)
The French painter, sculptor and designer, Henri Matisse (1869-1954) was one of the 20th century’s most influential artists. His vibrant works are celebrated for their extraordinary richness and luminosity of colour.
Drawing with Scissors is a Hayward Touring exhibition from the Southbank Centre, featuring 35 lithographic prints of the famous cut-outs which were produced in the last four years of his life when the artist was confined to his bed. It includes many of his iconic images, such as The Snail and the Blue Nudes.
25/4 to 23/5 As Others See Us
A selection of unique and engaging contemporary portraits of some of Scotland's best-known figures alongside their favourite pieces of poetry and song by Robert Burns. People featured in the exhibition include musicians and writers, such as Eddi Reader and Christopher Brookmyre; also politicians and business people,farmers and others. Photographs by Ross Gillespie and Tricia Malley
21/3 to 18/4 Gray’s School of Art Printmaking Department Portfolio
Original prints combining the work of 4th year undergraduates, invited artists and staff. The portfolio reflects the tradition and innovation in modern printmaking. The idea of the portfolio is not a new one. There is a long tradition of artists being involved in projects that examine the making of a multiple image in the context of a group body of work. The portfolio can function as a portable exhibition, bringing together eclectic visual interpretations of the project brief.
The portfolio has been exhibited nationally and internationally. Venues have included Peacock Visual Arts, Aberdeen; R.K. Burt Gallery, London; National Library of Estonia, Tallinn; Academy of Fine Arts, Prague; Anchor Graphics, Chicago and other venues in the USA. Invited artists for this exhibition are David Blyth, Francis Convery, Julia Gardner, Fiona Hepburn and Rosalind Lawless.
14 Feb to 14 Mar
Precious Cargo
2009 is Scotland’s Year of Homecoming and the calendar’s theme of migration, boats and the sea reflects this. The exhibition has been designed by Brodie Nairn and Nicky Burns from Glasstorm in Tain as an innovative installation of closed Cargo boxes, one of which opens every day over the festive period to reveal a new object or contemporary ‘souvenir’ of the Highlands which travellers to lands across the sea might have cherished to remind them of ‘home’.
The best of craft makers from across the Highlands and Scotland were invited to respond to the theme and create the ‘souvenirs’ or ‘Precious Cargo’ to go inside the crates. The work of 30 artists was selected from jewellery, textiles, wood and ceramics to film and represents a stunning collection of contemporary craftsmanship.
10 Jan to 7 Feb 2009 ~ China
1 Nov to 29 Nov
Highland Print ~ Highland Print StudioWasps 2008
6 Dec~ 3 January (excluding Public Holidays; closed Sun and Thurs)
14 June to 12 July ~ Cats by Louis Wain
Scape and Landscape 10 May to 7 June
Seeing Dragons in The Clouds
5 April to 3 May 2008
‘Over the Hills & Far Away’ for North Galleries
City of the Immortals by Michelle Lord
Sat 19 Jan to Sat 16 Feb 2008
Swanson Gallery 01847 896357
Swanson opening times; M, T, W 1 to 5pm, Fr 1 to 8pm, Sat 10am to 1pm, Closed Thurs and Sun
St Fergus opening times: M, T, Th 12 to 5.30pm, Fr 2 to 8pm, Sat 10.30am to 1pm, Closed Wed & Sun
Further information:
Swanson Gallery 01847 896357
Area Cultural Officer 01349 885114