Some Of These Things

'Golden Chain', oil and egg tempera on canvas by Olivia Irvine. 

Some of These Things

Imagine some of these things

Not just the glint of a hard, blue glacier

Nor the curl of wrought iron on a bench by the Seine

Not even the haunting music from a pink house,

Chanced upon on a midnight walk

But old, blotched walls

A carpet, faded and worn

A diving platform, a broken parasol, a creaky hinge

And a heart drawn hastily on a greasy window

Imagine and be there

Where the bright leaves dance in the tangled dell

And the rose trellises carve out spaces in the sky

Stay a while and touch the smooth, orange beacons

Left by lopped off branches on the crumbly trunks

Open the cupboard where the imaginary thing lives

Hit that soaring, plastic shuttlecock

Maybe you once had the shell I put in my pocket for a while

Sat on that same lonely, stony shore

And swung on that same peeling gate

Even so

I want to show you the actual tent poles and the signposts

The spotted dresses, the lampposts, the trodden path

I want you to see for yourself

The exact spot we hid the treasure

Feel for yourself the curl of the fine chain on your hand

The drag of a bag on the floor

The soft folds of that curtain drawn aside

Hear the ringing ankle bells

The buffeting whip of a kite

And the crisp turning of another page

Olivia Irvine               January 2012

Poetic Licence

'Passing The Sutor', acrylic on card by James Newton Adams.

I come here every day I love it when my jumper matches the boat.

Today red. A little jackpot. I'll maybe see her, our dogs are quite friendly now and last time she laughed.

If only I would just say it.

'Passing The Sutor' by Iain Finlay Macleod.

Endless Possible Futures

Hello everyone,

I've been thinking lately that the month of January gets quite a lot of bad press.  Sure, it can be grey, cold and tight financially, but lets face it, it is just a month in a man-made calendar and surely it can be just what you make it?  Perhaps we should enforce some mind over matter.....

On Tuesday, here in Edinburgh we experienced the coldest day so far this winter which, of course, is to be expected at this time of year. But it was also a beautiful day with bright blue skies and, dare I say it, a welcome appearance from the sun!  So it may have been cold, but it was also a day to feel positive about the impending arrival of Spring in a month or so.

At UG we are also feeling positive and excited about the amazing exhibitions we have lined up for this year and about what the future may bring.  I've been thinking a lot about this high voltage number and believe it sums up out positive state of mind:

'Endless Possible Futures', oil on canvas, by Patsy McArthur.
Award-winning artist Patsy McArthur will be having a major exhibition with us in the 'endless possible future, and it will be a belter.  But as we all know, the best things come to those who wait....

In the  meantime, if I have failed to persuade you that January is not a really shite month, the have a look at what else is coming up:

A truly inspirational and beautiful start to the year.  Not to be missed....

Blimey!  And then we have this:

'Ragged Robin', oil on canvas, by Cathy Campbell.
Folks, if Glasgow-based painter Cathy Campbell's still lifes don't melt your heart, nothing will!  Subtle yet powerful, I believe that Cathy's paintings are a metaphor not just for the artist, but for many of our lives - a highly skilled and unique talent that speaks a universal language.  There is a lot of interest in Cathy Campbell's first solo exhibition in Edinburgh and we want to share it with as many visitors as possible.  So don't be shy, come and be inspired in March.

And here's a lovely photo of artists Kevin Low and Stewart Bremner finalising details of their exhibition, 'Worlds Apart', which will open on Kevin's birthday, April 5th.  It won't only be a party to remember, but a stunning exhibition to boot.

We've only tickled the surface of UG's delights for 2012, so stay tuned to learn more about award-winning artists Jenny Matthews and Janet Melrose RSW, and brilliant artistic assassin Norrie Harman.

Speak soon.

Most Coveted

Hello everyone,

A very Happy New Year to you all, and a warm welcome to our latest follower: it's great to have you with us.

Our Christmas Exhibition continues until January 23rd, so there's still plenty of time to come in and see a superb selection of work from some of the finest artists who show with UG.  There's too many great artworks to fit in one blog, so here's a wee slice.

Starting with: 

'Hummingbird Bowl', kiln-formed glass, by Jessica Irena Smith.
 And....

'Seated Woman II', oil on canvas, by Audrey Grant (you saw her here first, folks...).
Or, perfect for a grumpy January....

'Lead Balloon', sealed lead, by John Brazenall.
Or perhaps....

 
















'Steppe Sisters' acrylic on board, by Drummond Mayo.
And, perfect for the year 2012....

 
















'This Modern World', mixed media. by Megan Chapman.

UG is pleased to report that visual artist Megan Chapman is making the transatlantic journey to join us here in Edinburgh as we speak.  Megan will be present in the gallery from 3.00pm on Sunday 22nd January for an informal chat about her work, and we promise there won't be a mince pie in sight!  We look forward to seeing you then - feel free to email us for further details.

Speak soon....