Everything Must Go! at Forest, Edinburgh

The Forest Cafe and Exibition Space, Bristo Place in Edinburgh is struggling to support its exhibition and event programme that has offered very interesting showcases and opportunities for emerging artists for over ten years.  When I was living in Edinburgh, and as a student on holiday from Dundee, I always enjoyed visiting the exhibition space and having a coffee or sandwich in the relaxed cafe populated by artistic types and students.

Amongst many activities to raise funds to continue to keep the space open, Forest art holding an Art Auction on the 11th-12th December 2010.  I have donated an etching 'Message Screen', from 2006, to the sale, so if you are in the area pop in to see what else they have in store! Wishing them all the best of luck with their endeavours.

'Message Screen', 2006, Etching on Fabriano, 22cm x 12cm

The last time I was in Edinburgh, I also visited the fantastic workshop, Edinburgh Printmakers, and caught their current exhibition 'Myths and Legends: From Ancient to the Modern'.  A more curated approach to their annual members show which I had taken part in in the past; it features prints focusing on more personal approaches to the historical and mythical narratives from a range of geographical locations.

Another recent addition to Printmaking resources in Edinburgh, is the opening of a Printmaking studio at Amber Arts.  The workshop is available to hire, and also offers bespoke classes in Relief, Monoprinting, Etching and Screenprinting.  It is great to see many artists I knew from my time working at the Printmakers Workshop still thriving!

all over...Toby Paterson..and Lucy McKenzie

Toby Paterson - Ausstellungsansicht, 2009

Toby Paterson, Hypothetical Relief (Sofia), 2009
Acrylic paint on perspex, 30cm x 30cm

A few weeks ago on a visit to Edinburgh, I took the opportunity to visit the Fruitmarket Gallery where I used to work. Sadly, it was in between exhibitions ('Childish Things' has now started), but my partner and I delighted in visiting the fantastic bookshop.  The excellent selection of visual art books and back catalogues reminded me of the practices of two Scottish artists who began to achieve acclaim for their work whilst I was still studying at undergraduate level in Dundee.  As my practice has developed over time, it is interesting to see how, in particular my interests, and theirs have altered over a nine year period.

Paterson's reliefs, drawings and sculptures reference constructivist and modernist geometric artworks and architecture. Specifically his abstract pastel photo montage style reliefs and wall drawings, hold great resonance and links to my own current drawings I am working on that explore physical and digital architecture.

Mixed Media installation, Exhibition at Modern Institute, 2009

The practice of Lucy McKenzie, who is also a graduate of DOJCAD, also explores past architectural styles, sometimes juxtaposing them with abstracted images of popular culture within painting and installation 

Lucy McKenzie, Salon Library for the Great Exhibition, 1902, 2006 

Lucy McKenzie, Untitled, 2004