This years PAC Christmas Open Exhibition yet again demonstrated the sheer wealth and diversity of Orkney`s artistic community. It was a
huge show with over 250 works submitted,
it was spread over three floors and occupied seven rooms of the gallery space!
Artists had taken inspiration from a broad range of subject matter- from the land and sea,
flora and fauna to the more abstract and conceptual and expressed this through painting, drawing, sculpture, photography and craft.
The exhibition flowed effortlessly guiding the viewer from room to room
through thematic links.......
The pieces hung in entrance corridor was like an introduction to the building reflecting
it`s architecture and location through linear lines and colour
but also made visual connections to the Piers contemporary collection.
The gallery to the right had pieces that referenced the sea in various ways.
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My favourite piece from the whole exhibition was this
by Marion Yorston, titled `Chlorophyll`
(sculpted resin&light box) |
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My sculptures were in this room and cleverly placed to lead your eye
through to the `harbour view` space seen below........... |
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There was a mixture of media on display here from ceramics, wood work, tapestry
and painting which beautifully complimented one another |
In the passage leading to another gallery was this treasure trove of bits&pieces
by Rachel Blair titled `Working Collective`
Photographs were displayed in the small room at the back of the Pier,
they varied quite a bit in subject matter but this one caught my eye...
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| David Gray, `Rebus` |
There was also some lovely glass pieces on display.....
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Donna Eunson, `Ocean Ripples`
fused&slumped bullseye glass. |
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Joan Holdsworth,`Lucido`
bullseye sheet glass |
I also admire Fiona Sanderson`s metal works, it has a real
tactile quality about it and I loved the colours of the this copper panel below.
The long gallery had mainly sea scape pictures but what I especially liked in here
was the visual separation created by the hanging knit wear.
The gallery from here was the `cathedral room` with many of the works inspired by
the St Magnus cathedral or had religious references........
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This cornice stone was hand-cut in limestone by Ross Kennedy,
it reminded me of Ben Nicholson`s collage and sculptural works and
looked right at home in the Pier! |
The works up on the second floor were clearly influenced by the `flora and fauna`
with each individual artist using a variety of media to express this.
This re-interpretation of Salvador Dali`s famous painting `The Persistence of Time`
was brilliant and brought a smile to my face.
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Barbra Morrison,`The Persistence of Quilting`
applique&quilting |
On the top floor gallery an assortment of subject matter depicting life over
and under the sea was on display.
This is truly an inspirational and eclectic collection of works!
Weather you love art or hate it, I believe there is something for everyone at this exhibition
and would thoroughly recommend anyone to take a look.
The exhibition runs til the 24th of December.
