WINTER EXHIBITION SEASON AT THE CITY ART CENTRE
30.10.24
Celebrating Art in Scotland: This winter, the City Art Centre in Edinburgh presents three distinct exhibitions that explore unique facets of artistic expression. POP LIFE fuses pop culture with contemporary figurative drawing, featuring works that push boundaries and challenge conventions, inviting viewers to reconsider their relationship with popular imagery. Through Line delves into the versatility of the line, showcasing a diverse range of mediums and techniques that highlight the intricate beauty of this fundamental element in art. Meanwhile, Inked Up: Printmaking in Scotland celebrates the art of printmaking, revealing a rich tapestry of styles and narratives that reflect identity and culture while demonstrating the innovative techniques that breathe life into the medium. Together, these exhibitions create a vibrant dialogue, sparking conversations and evoking emotions through a myriad of voices and perspectives.
Donald Urquhart, Joan Crawford as Mildred Pierce, 2010, Ink on paper. Courtesy the artist
POP LIFE
Saturday 2 November 2024 - Sunday 9 March 2025
Admittance: Adult £5 | Concession £3 (joint entry for POP LIFE and Through Line)
POP LIFE is a dynamic fusion of pop culture and contemporary figurative drawing, featuring works by 13 Scottish and international artists, including David Shrigley, Marc Brandenburg, Jamie Fitzpatrick, and Sandra Vásquez de la Horra. Set over two floors, this exhibition highlights the interplay between popular imagery and artistic practice, encouraging a fresh perspective on the narratives we encounter in everyday life. From bold colours to intricate details, the artworks challenge conventions and invite viewers to explore their meanings.
Co-curated by artists Euan Gray and Witte Wartena, POP LIFE is a travelling exhibition previously showcased in Sweden (2022-23) and the Netherlands (2023). This iteration has been tailored to include Scottish artists and underscores the enduring allure of the human form as a reflection of identity and societal norms, drawing inspiration from art history, socio-political movements, and cultural shifts over the past six decades.
Euan Gray said:
“In an era dominated by computer-generated images, AI, and 3D printing, this exhibition offers us a wonderful opportunity to champion the enduring appeal of traditional drawing, wholeheartedly embrace the language of pop culture, and promote a remarkable group of artists for whom the human form remains an essential motif.”
More info here.
Susan Mowatt, 'Tangle' (detail), 2024. © the artist
THROUGH LINE
Saturday 9 November 2024 - Sunday 2 March 2025
Admittance: Adult £5 | Concession £3 (joint entry for POP LIFE and Through Line)
Through Line is an engaging one-floor group exhibition that showcases the work of nine talented artists: David Connearn, Ian Hamilton Finlay, Andrew Lamb, Charles Poulsen, Frances Priest, Lara Scobie, Susan Mowatt, Rhona Taylor, and Michael Walton. This exhibition delves into the beauty and versatility of the line, exploring its significance as a fundamental element in artistic practice.
On display are works in a diverse range of mediums including ceramics, drawing, jewellery, painting, printmaking, poetry, and textiles. The exhibition invites visitors to appreciate the varying ways in which line can communicate emotion, structure, and movement, from the simplicity of a single stroke to intricate patterns that captivate the eye. Through a carefully curated selection of works, Through Line not only highlights the aesthetic qualities of line but also invites deeper contemplation on its role in the visual experience.
Curator Maeve Toal said:
“Through Line is the last in a series of four group exhibitions at the City Art Centre spotlighting contemporary art and craft practice in Scotland. It showcases artworks from our collection alongside works by artists who are not currently represented. Its focus is the beauty and versatility of the line - from the simplicity of a single stroke to intricate linear patterns - and the impact it can have on our visual experiences.”
More info here.
Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, ‘Another Time’, 1999. © Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust. (Photo: Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Trust)
INKED UP: Printmaking in Scotland
Until Sunday 1 June 2025
Admittance: Free (donations are most welcome)
Inked Up celebrates printmaking in Scotland, showcasing the diverse techniques and styles employed by over 30 historic and contemporary printmakers. Featured artists include Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, D.Y. Cameron, Victoria Crowe, and Eduardo Paolozzi. This exhibition features a range of prints that explore themes of identity, culture, and the environment, demonstrating the rich possibilities of print as a medium. Visitors will gain insight into the creative processes behind these artworks and the stories they tell.
Curator Dr. Helen Scott noted:
“Printmaking is such a dynamic art form – it covers an incredibly varied range of techniques and can be used by artists in so many different ways. This exhibition reveals the creative scope of printmaking and unpicks some of the practical techniques behind the artworks.”
More info here.
