The consistently innovative Pier Arts Centre in Stromness, Orkney, is the venue for a series of summer exhibitions which should appeal to both Orcadians and visitors.
The season opened last month with a show of recent paintings by one of Scotland’s best-known artists, Alan Davie, whose work is also held in the centre’s permanent collection alongside pieces by names such as Ben Nicolson and Barbara Hepworth.
Taking over from the Davie exhibition is one by Ross Sinclair which runs until August 22. Described as “one of the younger generation” of artists from Glasgow, Sinclair’s work includes videos, photographs and neon installations, as well as a large watchtower designed specifically for the exhibition and built outside on the pier.
On August 29 “Green Waters” opens with a large selection of new paper works, paintings (some on driftwood panels) and sculptures, all on a boat-related theme, by Graham Rich, Ian Stephen and Ian Hamilton Finlay.
The Edinburgh-based Travelling Gallery visited Stromness this week , during the town’s long-established “shopping week”. On board the arts bus was “Dream Cloud”, an exhibition based around an inflatable cloud and devised by Zoe Walker, the 1997 recipient of the Pier Arts Centre Fellowship. Its arrival coincided with the annual pavement artists’ competition which attracted a record 100 entrants, mostly aged between six and 16.
Further information from the centre (Tuesday-Saturday) on 01856 850209. Deedee Cuddihy
