HANNAH FRANK

88 DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY LIFE June 2013

88-90 Hannah Frank.indd 2 08/05/2013 16:34:34 THE SPARK DIVINE A retrospective exhibition of work by renowned artist Hannah Frank is a first not only for the Nail Factory in Dalbeattie, but also for Dumfries & Galloway. Mary Smith talks to gallery owner Rupinder Dulay about this amazing coup – and why Hannah Frank’s work is so important Main picture by Jenny Woolgar

Rupinder Dulay at the Nail Factory in Dalbeattie; below: Hannah Frank

t may be one of the smallest art galleries United States and her iconic black and in the country but, since its opening in white drawings, prints and sculpture – I2009, the Nail Factory in Dalbeattie has which cover a 75-year-long artistic career – hosted some very special exhibitions go on show at The Nail Factory from including artists such as Marcer Campbell, June 1 to 30. Eight of Hannah Frank’s award-winning photographer Phil prints and two original drawings will be on McMenemy and, recently, woodblock show in the stone building alongside 10 of printmaker Claire Cameron-Smith, whose her bronze sculptures. A selection of prints work was exhibited alongside artist and will also be available to purchase. sculptor Colin Park. Rupinder says: “We are proud to host a Now, gallery owner Rupinder Dulay retrospective exhibition by Hannah Frank, has pulled off an amazing coup. She will organised by her niece, Fiona Frank, who be curating a retrospective of work by has been instrumental in bringing her renowned artist Hannah Frank – a first not aunt’s work to life. only for the Nail Factory but for Dumfries “The Nail Factory was a factory & Galloway. making cast iron nails 200 years ago, run The work of the late Jewish by women, and Hannah Frank’s works artist has travelled across the UK and the will be exhibited next to those of Daniel ²

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88-90 Hannah Frank.indd 3 08/05/2013 16:34:43 Rupinder with Erwin Van’t Hoff, who represents the artist Daniel Fuller whose work is also on show at the Nail Factory exhibition

Fuller, a Native American artist who Hannah Frank was one of the first rediscovered his roots and culture to Jewish students to study at the Glasgow inspire many young artists in their struggle School of Art, and the buffet will be to accept their heritage.” sponsored by the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities, in honour of the first annah, the daughter of a Russian showing of this Scottish Jewish artist’s refugee forced into exile, was born work in Dumfriesshire, as part of its work Hin Glasgow in 1908. She studied to celebrate Jewish culture in Scotland. at Glasgow University, graduating in 1930 During the afternoon the film and then, after teacher training college, she Hannah with the actress Miriam Margolyes Hannah Frank, The Spark Divine, by became a teacher. She also attended on her 100th birthday. Picture by Kush Buddha award-winning filmmaker Sarah Thomas, evening classes at the of will be shown. It explores the life of the Art for many decades from the 1920s, interest in Hannah’s art in recent years. artist as a young woman through her where she widened her interests to include Following a five-year international tour diaries and her poetry as well as her art, wood engraving – for which she was across the UK and to the United States, and includes interviews filmed with awarded the James McBey Prize. Between a full Hannah Frank retrospective was held Hannah Frank when she was in her late 1927 and 1932 she regularly contributed at Glasgow University. It opened on the 90s talking about, among other things, drawings, under the pen name of Al artist’s 100th birthday – August 23, 2008 – why she felt her drawings focused on Aaraaf, to GUM, the Glasgow University and Hannah herself attended the preview, women, and whether she felt more like a Magazine. where she received a standing ovation. ‘Scottish’ artist or a ‘Jewish’ artist. Her trademark black and white A fan of her work, actress Miriam Alongside Hannah’s drawings and drawings, which she completed between Margolyes attended Hannah’s 100th sculptures Rupinder is also exhibiting 1925 and 1952, are resonant of the Art birthday lunch. work by Mohwak/Metis artist Daniel Nouveau period. They appeared regularly Hannah Frank died in October 2008, Fuller, who died in 2009 in Akwesasne, at the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine and in 2009 she became the first ever Canada. As an artist he worked in various Arts exhibitions from 1930 to 1950. recipient of a posthumous honorary media, but the greatest part of his work is Although reminiscent of work by Aubrey doctorate from Glasgow University. She made up of pen and ink drawings and Beardsley and Jessie King, they carry also received a posthumous Lord Provost’s screenprints. D&G Hannah’s own unique stamp. award from Glasgow City Council for her Hannah later turned to sculpture, contribution to art. I Hannah Frank: A Glasgow Artist, with encouraged in clay modelling by Paul Fiona Frank, the artist’s niece, says: Daniel Fuller – Native American Artist Zunterstein and later studying under “Bringing my aunt’s work to this exciting runs from June 2-30 at The Nail Factory, , who became Her Majesty’s multi-use exhibition space – with its 56 Southwick Road, Dalbeattie, DG5 Sculptor in Ordinary for Scotland. proximity to the Dalbeattie Forest and the 4EW. Opening hours are 11am-6pm, She exhibited at the Royal Glasgow Solway Firth – is very special. Her work Tuesday to Sunday. Institute and the Royal Scottish Academy uses elements of nature throughout, such The opening wine reception, with as well as Stirling University, the Portico as the sun, moon, stars, birds, trees and kosher buffet, showing of film Hannah Gallery, Manchester, and as part of the flowers, and so it will fit in perfectly here.” Frank, The Spark Divine is at 1 pm. Festival Fringe and was still There will be a celebratory launch event Sunday, June 2. creating new sculptures when in her 90s. with a wine reception and kosher buffet on Tel: 01556 611686. Email: info@ There has been a huge resurgence of Sunday, June 2 at 1pm. nailfactory.org.uk

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