Dunfermline exhibition to display work from renowned artists

The Brushstrokes display, which opened on Saturday at the Carnegie Library and Galleries, includes works by nationally renowned artists which are part of the collection managed by cultural charity OnFife.

A mark of Brushstrokes’ quality is that 13 of its featured artists have work in the new £38.6million exhibition space at the National Galleries of Scotland in Edinburgh.

“People across the country – and beyond – will be familiar with most of the artists featured in Brushstrokes,” explained exhibition curator Lesley Lettice.

“So our audiences can enjoy a show that’s full of work that wouldn’t be out of place in Scotland’s national collections.”

Brushstrokes features 23 paintings by the ever-popular Scottish Colourists – Francis Cadell, J D Fergusson, George Leslie Hunter and Samuel Peploe – and three by renowned landscape artist William McTaggart.

Included in the blend of traditional and modern works are paintings by acclaimed artists such as Joan Eardley, Anne Redpath and Elizabeth Blackadder.

Among the other leading names from 20th century Scottish art are Glasgow Boys John Lavery, E A Hornel, George Henry and David Gauld.

Highlights from beyond Scotland include An Old Street by LS Lowry – one of only seven works by Lowry to be held in Scotland’s public collections.

Paintings by Harold Gilman and Spencer Gore of the Camden Town Group and Still Life by French painter and lithographer Henri Fantin-Latour also feature.

One of several Fife scenes on show is Pastorale, near Dunfermline by the eminent Scottish landscape and still life painter, William Gillies. Marian Leven’s Lomond Winter and Kate Downie’s dramatic take on the Forth Bridge, Span, are also part of the mix.

Fife-born artists featuring in the show include one of Scotland’s most esteemed living artists, Frances Walker, who has two paintings in the exhibition – Passing St Kilda and Low Tide at Brough.

Also on display is Irises by Bohemian craftsman Karl Nekola, the inspirational illustrator who created the iconic Wemyss Ware brand when he worked for Fife Pottery in Kirkcaldy.

Galleries staff have chosen more than 20 of the 60-plus exhibits and written labels to accompany their selections.

QR codes let audiences learn more about many of the artists and their works. Brushstrokes has a separate art-themed space for family-friendly activities, which include reading, colouring, crafts and games.

“It's been an absolute joy putting this exhibition together,” added Lesley. “It's an incredibly diverse show so we're confident that there will be something to please each and every one of our visitors.”

Brushstrokes is on until June 2 next year and admission is free. To find out more, visit www.onfife.com/events/brushstrokes.