Nane the waur o’ a guid hanging

By John Fowler

The scene in the Gallery on Wednesday morning, March 30, was animated. Paintings were everywhere, some lying face up on the floor, others THE NEWSLETTER OF THE GLASGOW ART CLUB SPRING 2011 No. 35 stacked randomly in a pile against the walls, one or two placed face down on the tables as members of the hanging President’s column team performed some basic DIY work on the frames with pliers, screwdrivers and awls. A toolbox was a vital component. Lunch, People were busy with measuring tape, fixing hooks into the frames. ‘Anyone got the sellotape?’ someone called. And – ‘Where are all the listen screws? They keep walking.’ Jennifer (above) prepares to hang a picture, The enthusiastic team were setting up while Ronnie and Robert (top right) take the members’ spring show. The down a banner from the previous show Newsletter’s observer arrived shortly and enjoy! Above, the Edington Ensemble with the Art Club’s Iain McGlashan – and (right) the after half-past ten to find the team pre-concert lunchtime scene in the Dining Room hard and work and about a dozen Dear Members pictures already hanging in a row - not An invariable response from the musicians in their final position, but merely as a guideline. who play in our Gallery is how grateful the Then came the difficult choice: acoustics are and how appreciative they are making a pleasing alternation between at being given the opportunity to play in large and small works, finding such magnificent surroundings. sequences or patterns or contrasts in Delny makes an adjustment On Sunday April 10 the Edington Ensemble size or subject. gave a wonderful concert. It was a joint venture between the Club and Music in Hamish inspects progress Hospitals – a splendid charity which provides live music to those in hospital, then the third preferences are held out. particularly long stay patients. The audience assembles in the Gallery (but there’s room for more) (A kind of alternative vote.) What a buzz there was in the At the private view for a previous show, the Deutsche Bank Scottish Art Club! The Dining Room and the Exhibition, an artist was overheard to Billiard Room were both full for State of the building grumble that one of his pictures had the pre-concert lunch. It was what been hung behind a pillar, which didn’t the Club should be like when we Line-up on the floor A progress report by Iain A Macmillan highly technical document, and we delight him (but it was sold on the put on an event. have had to bring in a consultant to do night!) Bankier, Delny Goalen, Jennifer Irvine, Can I encourage you to support At the last Annual Business Meeting in this. The Plan is nearly complete, all The essential toolbox Such problems occur. Behind the Paul Kennedy, Hamish Montgomery, such events when sponsored by the February I gave a progress report on 80 pages, plus appendices. The To begin with, progress was swift. Christmas tree is not the most coveted Robert Murray and Ronnie Smith – Club. I cannot imagine a better the Club’s building project. Since not Activity Plan, the Evaluation, and the The headaches came later when most spot for a festive season show. And no could relax. Job done. way to spend a Sunday afternoon. all members were present, it may be Stage 2 application itself also require of the big decisions had been made one much liked being placed above the helpful to summarise my report and specialist advice, and this is being and the bulk of the pictures were on coffee machine when it stood in a Yours Sincerely update it. provided by the Glasgow Building the wall leaving little freedom of corner of the Gallery – now it has been Gift of paintings At the end of 2010 we received a Preservation Trust (GBPT). These movement. For example, no one was moved elsewhere. The piano can be a conditional grant of £50,000 from the documents are all in course of happy with the placing of one small nuisance. Two paintings were recently donated Isaac Wolfson Foundation, which was preparation. work but finding the right slot – which As far as possible the hanging team to the Club by Robert Kelsey. One is much appreciated. This brought our Meantime, we were able to give the would mean shifting others – was not try to be neutral and objective. ‘You his own oil on linen painting Beach total to £720,000, which is about Club financial assistance (£25,000) to easy. It was lifted from where it hung, mustn’t get into the habit of looking at Grass and Shadows, Arisaig, the other £200,000 short of our target. We complete the Billiard Room, which has carried across the room, hung again whose pictures they are,’ said one. is a self-portrait by Dan Ferguson continue to approach other potential been a great success, as those of you but in the end, after much debate, The Deutsche Bank show filled every which Robert felt should have a home funders. who have seen it will agree. Our taken back to its original position. spare corner of the building, flowing in the Club’s collection. In order to secure the conditional education programme is also ‘Where can I put this one?’ was the from Gallery through the bar and up grant of £250,000 from the Heritage proceeding, with many schools plaintive cry. ‘There’s no room.’ Or, ‘I to the Billiard Room. So did the Jimmy Keep in touch Lottery Fund (HLF) we have to submit interested in taking part, and already a can’t see a natural place.’ And, ‘It Robertson retrospective last year. This a Stage 2 application by November number of school visits. looks a bit squashed.’ show is much smaller – a fact which The Newsletter would like to hear from you. this year. We also have to lodge The investigation of the Charles The rule is that any member can made it easier to mount, even in terms If you have an idea for an article, short item, various documents such as a Rennie Mackintosh frieze ran into submit pictures and be assured of a of physical labour: ‘Sometimes you get anecdote or picture which you think would Conservation Management Plan, an difficulties. Our conservator, Alan place on the wall – with one important to the stage when you just want to run interest readers, please contact us at Activity Plan and an Evaluation. Ferdinand, having reached the stage at proviso. Each artist may submit three away.’ [email protected] or phone It looks tasty – but where was the party? Preparing these is part of what HLF which he could discern something of 0141 248 5210 and ask for the Club secretary. works listed in order of preference. If But by lunchtime the show was on the See Who’s Who in the Big Picture call the ‘Development Stage’. The the pattern of the frieze, and the Or write to the Newsletter at the Club. there’s a surplus of pictures over space wall and the hanging team – Jim Show on page 4. Conservation Management Plan is a colours, found it impossible to continued on page 2 8 CLUB NEWS The man behind a familiar painting State of the building – the latest in our series on the history Continued from page 1 of Glasgow Art Club and its members A buzz about penetrate the last layer of paint replication will, however, be the last without risk of damaging the frieze stage in the operation, when all the the place itself. We consulted with Historic building work is finished. Scotland and as a result it was agreed With the inevitable delay in raising the The artist, his that we would replicate the pattern necessary funds and satisfying some of and the colours based on the original our funding bodies, especially HLF, sketches and the detail gleaned by the structure of the building has not stepmother and Alan Ferdinand. Meantime the improved in the meantime. We are not original frieze would be kept in situ permitted to carry out major repair but protected from damage in the hope work until the whole building project that at some future date improved is completed, but we hope to find ways a Glasgow scene Above the fireplace – Robert Eadie’s view technology would allow it to be fully and means of dealing with this of a dreich city centre street, with horses revealed. We are now seeking an problem in consultation with the expert conservator who will be able to Council and others. The picture of the playwright James rainy day, and the most prominent artist. undertake the task of creating the If any member would like further Bridie which appeared in the last subject is the line of three Clydesdale The Directory of Scottish Art and A jazz night with Alex Garett pattern based on the original information on any of these matters I Newsletter in reminiscences by Iain dray horses standing at the kerb. You Architecture by Peter J M McEwan Mackintosh design. The final work of will be glad to hear from them. Macmillan aroused interest among wonder whether Bridie and describes Eadie as ‘best known for his Live music will continue to bring a people who recognised who it as a Honeyman were painted into the landscapes painted in a broad, wet, buzz to the building and boost bar detail from a painting which hangs picture rather as an afterthought – straightforward style, with more takings for another year, thanks to above the fireplace in the Club’s perhaps even as a gesture to fellow attention to general effect than to links developed with various artistic Light on the frieze Reception Room. Club members. detail, sometimes elegant, always organisations. Both Bridge Music, The painting is signed by Robert This suggestion is prompted by the decorative.’ which runs the Glasgow series of jazz Eadie, a Glasgow artist and a former fact that Eadie painted an almost Eadie was born in 1877. As a young concerts, and Celtic Connections are Members were invited to a additional gallery space it should bring consultation in the Gallery last month in extra revenue through letting to member of the Art Club, which he identical scene (without Bridie and man he studied in Paris and Munich. anxious to return to their favourite joined in 1913. In his time Eadie (who Honeyman) entitled Trace Horses The earliest of his works exhibited at venue and have agreed dates for the to hear and discuss the progress of the outside organisations, and it would died in 1954) was well known as a which was exhibited at the RGI show the RGI, according to the RGI list coming season. Club’s renewal project – the subject of eventually serve as a temporary lounge portraitist, book illustrator and in 1945. This work was priced at compiled by Roger Billcliffe, was a The jazz series resumes in June, and Iain Macmillan’s Page 1 report which for members and a space for the Club’s painter of landscapes, beach and street £150, a considerably higher valuation painting called A Monk (priced at the Club will be one of the main is concluded on this page. At the functions when the Gallery is closed scenes in oils and watercolour. than most of his paintings received at £10) shown in 1912. Forty years later venues for the 25th anniversary of meeting Paul Dowds explained that for restoration in about two years’ Glasgow International Jazz Festival, vital work on improvements to the time. Bridie, along with his friend Tom the time. A painting with the same three of his watercolours were shown June 28 - July 3. Celtic Connections kitchen, the heating system and to James Macaulay assured the audience Honeyman, then director of Glasgow title, probably the same one, was also posthumously, the last of his many will be booking for events between meet health and safety requirements that the long-hidden and much Art Gallery, appear in the bottom left- exhibited at the RSW. To confuse works to be shown by the RGI. January 19 and February 5 next year. had been completed. This was critical. discussed Charles Rennie Mackintosh hand corner of the canvas. In fact they matters more, a print edition of the A short anonymous article on the This means that the Club will be a key Paul explained that the restoration of frieze – a simple repeating A B pattern appear to be almost a distraction from same subject was issued with other internet entitled Robert Eadie RSW: venue for two of the most noted the Billiard Room had a three-fold – would be carefully replicated and the subject of the work. The scene figures in the foreground. The subject some biography & examples of his international live music festivals. purpose. Apart from providing that there was no danger of it appears to be St Vincent Street on a obviously had great appeal to the work, states that Robert was the Much credit is due to the initiative distracting from the pictures exhibited youngest of four sons. The mother and perseverance of Art Club staff. below it. As in the original, the tones died when the boys were young and What started as Unclubbed, an New members would be muted. He convincingly A STORMY NIGHT WITH THE when the father married again they informal monthly session organised in- demonstrated its authenticity as an heartily disliked his new wife. One house, attracted the attention of some We welcome the following new early example of the young BARD AND TOMMY SHERIDAN brother, William, helped Robert to of the major players in Glasgow's live members (category in brackets): Mackintosh’s handiwork. stand up against the ‘tyrant music scene. stepmother’ and encouraged his Eleanor Cordiner (lay), Kirkintilloch Iain Macmillan urged members (and On a night when gales and floods Tam o’ Shanter (a sad loss for a man It has taken much commitment to artistic aspirations and the artist later Ian Irvine (corporate), Glasgow not only the small number who played havoc with the Edinburgh- born and bred a mile from Alloway work out logistics without disrupting regretted that he had not returned the Simon Luby (corporate), Glasgow attended the meeting) to become Glasgow train service your kirk), Jean Reid’s ‘word to the lassies’ the basic business of the Club. The favour when William needed help Steven McDonald (corporate), Glasgow involved. ‘It’s your project,’ he said. correspondent was marooned for an and Burns Shearar’s toast to the same. new Billiard Room allows for normal during the depression. Calum McDonald (corporate), Glasgow hour and forty minutes on platform 2 But he was able to appreciate the dining and bar services to be A photograph in The Bulletin Alan Smith (corporate), Glasgow After the presentation members were at Linlithgow station, on his way to spirited singing of Douglas Nairne. maintained. newspaper dated January 1 1938 Josephine U Docherty (lay), Glasgow invited to respond to the following the Club Burns night. As a result he And, of course, the immortal memory The Club is successfully building a headlined Socialist Art Exhibition Edwin Hawkes (young artist), Glasgow questions: missed the grace by Iain MacCormick delivered with panache by Roddy wide and varied programme to suit all Austin Lafferty (lay), Glasgow shows Eadie, a somewhat gaunt figure What activities or events would you and the address to the haggis by Iain Macpherson, a rumbustious homily musical tastes. Already several folk Joseph Logan (architect), Glasgow with a thin moustache, wearing glasses like to see more of at the Club? McGlashan. However on arrival he stuffed with apt and often sly and jazz enthusiasts have applied for Ian Cook (artist), Perth and clutching his hat and gloves in his Artists’ demonstrations – Lectures on found the haggis, neeps and tatties quotations from the bard in a membership. Sandy Murphy (artist), Seamill hand, along with local councillors at history of art – Re-introduce billiards (with Drambuie drizzle) followed by performance that was at time almost Jean Reid Fiona C McNaught (lay), Bearsden the opening of the show, so and have demonstrations [NB: The venison-wrapped chicken breast with balletic. George Collier (artist), Aberdeen presumably Robert had left-wing Club billiard tables are in store.] a black pudding centre had been het Immortal memorisers often draw George Welsh (lay), Glasgow views. It’s difficult to imagine a For the diary Why is the Club important? up for him. A culinary triumph weel parallels with the contemporary scene, Christopher Wood (artist), Dunbar Opportunities to mix informally with ‘socialist art exhibition’ being The ever-popular Fejes Quartet David Longmuir (lay), Perth worthy o’ that unheard grace – which and in this case Roddy defended the creative people – As a heritage centre. mounted today. returns on Wednesday, June 8 (see Tom Allan (artist), Glasgow may or may not have been as lang’s law (supported by citations from the Any problems or barriers to joining story on page 3). Supper (6pm) and James Hamilton (artist), Glasgow Iain’s airm – he cannot judge since he works) against certain opinions For more on the artist, Google concert (7.30) - £12; concert only, no Adam Kennedy (young artist), Glasgow the Club? was not there to hear. expressed by the populist politician Romiley Arts Federation: Robert Eadie charge. Robert Murray (artist), Bridge of Weir Size of subscription – Low profile of Truncated at the start, his attendance Tommy Sheridan. Roddy, in his role as RSW, history & works. The Club picnic will be held on the Club. Sunday, June 12 at Dumfries House, Alasdair McCuish (corporate), Glasgow was cut short before the end for fear messenger-at-arms, has had occasion Ellen McCann (artist), West Linton What are the most positive being stranded in the city by an to challenge Tommy’s stance before. Ayrshire – cost £8.50. Drive or join aspects/benefits of the Club? minibus leaving Club at 10.30am Derek Robertson (artist), Balmerino uncertain train service, so that he also Unfortunately Mr Sheridan was not Printed by Reproprint sharp – (£15 fare). Peter Russell (lay), Glasgow Social events – Meeting other members missed Alfie Wellcoat’s delivery of available for comment. Tel: 0141 440 1919 Lizanne McKerrell (corporate), Dumgoyne – Music, exhibitions. Email: [email protected] 2 7 Off to Seattle A celebration OBITUARIES of David Bill Alston From an artist’s notebook

Donaldson Lynda Nicol wrote in the East Kilbride Everywhere George Devlin goes News: his notepad goes with him at Rozelle The artist and former teacher Bill Alston died of a heart attack in March - these instant sketches It’s always a pleasure to visit the while snorkelling in Cuba. He was 73. Maclaurin Gallery at Rozelle House in He was in Cuba with his wife Pat, also were made at a recent Ayr. Throughout April and into May a retired art teacher, to celebrate their the Maclaurin hosted a major golden wedding anniversary. concert in the Club Gallery exhibition celebrating the life and Among those paying tribute was works of the late David Donaldson, former colleague and fellow artist Simon Woods, the outgoing Chief one of Scotland’s finest painters of the Andy Edgar, who said: ‘Bill will be Executive of the Royal Scottish present day. remembered by generations of school National Orchestra, left recently to Donaldson, a weel kent figure in students as an inspirational art teacher. take up the post of chief executive of Glasgow Art Club for many years, was His enthusiasm and willingness to go the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. To associated with Glasgow School of Art the extra mile for his young charges mark his departure, the RSNO Circle throughout his long career, from will never be forgotten by many. hosted a drinks party in the Gallery on student at the age of 15 to head of the Indeed, a significant number of Bill’s April 6, when Simon gave an overview department of drawing and painting. former pupils took up the gauntlet of of his six years with the RSNO. He was a Royal Scottish academician art teaching because of the love of art and the Queen’s Painter and Limner in engendered in them by him. Scotland. ‘Bill’s untimely death is all the more Brother artists Two of the works on show at Ayr tragic given that he was at last gaining (continued from page 5) would have been familiar to Club the wider recognition his superbly members – a fine portrait of his friend, executed, keenly observed, naturalistic ‘She taught me 13 years ago and since colleague and fellow club member paintings deserved.’ then she’s had a huge influence on my John Cunningham, the other a print by Originally from Larkhall, Bill, a work,’ he says. Robert Stewart showing Donaldson former pupil of Hamilton Academy, Both Adam and Paul graduated at peering quizzically over his specs – one continued his studies at Glasgow Edinburgh College of Art. Paul of an edition commissioned to School of Art before going on to teach graduated in painting, Adam in what celebrate Donaldson’s career on his at Hamilton Academy, Lesmahagow is now known as intermedia art, retirement from the School of Art. High School and Strathaven Academy. formerly (and confusingly) called Both usually hang on the Club’s walls. He took early retirement in 1997. He ‘tapestry’. Before the change of name (The Cunningham portrait has become and his wife continued to live in the course was attended almost legendary among members for non- Strathaven where he played a exclusively by girls. He says it’s all artistic reasons. He’s shown with his significant role in the local community. boys now. The old name gave little lunch on his lap – a carry-out fish and Last year Bill had highly acclaimed FOUR YOUNG idea of what the course was about. It’s chips brought in during a sitting in the exhibitions at Glasgow Art Club and not likely that Adam will be seen at the West Campbell Street studio the Kelly Gallery in Glasgow. He also PLAYERS WITH loom. Donaldson inherited from the sculptor ran jazz clubs, assisted with drama The brothers grew up in Broomhill. Benno Schotz.) groups and was a keen hill climber and Neither of their parents were artists, And there was a self-portrait of cyclist. A MISSION though painting and drawing became Donaldson looking imperious and Bill is survived by his wife Pat and a big part of the boys’ childhood. Paul rather like a cardinal in his red robes their two daughters and two sons. TO PLEASE says he was influenced by his big sister and extraordinary hat, lent from the Laura, now an art teacher. collection of Lord and Lady Chamber music can be viewed as a Paul says that their father was Macfarlane. rather austere form of music-making. obsessed with boats – one of his two Sandy Moffat, a later head of painting Meg Ferguson To prove how unfair that image is, just paintings in the recent members’ at the School of Art, once described The Fejes quartet ... and Emily makes five spring exhibition shows their father Donaldson as ‘probably the finest Margaret Ferguson – Meg to tune in to the Fejes String Quartet who and uncle as boys playing in a small Scottish portrait painter’ of the colleagues and friends – was a return to Glasgow Art Club on June 8. distinguished musicians and members colleagues play their indispensable boat in the village of St Abbs. As twentieth century. Portraits formed a graduate of Glasgow School of Art, a This lively group of young string of the RSNO. Tamas and Mike part with charm and verve. children, they frequently holidayed major part of this exhibition – self- teacher of art (latterly at Hillhead players have gained for themselves the worked previously with the Centrepiece of the programme for with their parents in the village – a portraits among them. The chubby High School, Glasgow), and an artist unofficial status of ‘house’ musicians Philharmonia Orchestra in London. June 8 is Schubert’s sublime Cello month in St Abbs in the summer was Donaldson was not averse to posing in herself. It was at the art school that she to the club. In a series of recitals, Mike is the tall, ebullient, one, who Quintet for which Tamas’s wife Emily already a family tradition. the nude, with a strategically placed met her fellow student and future featuring classical composers along offers illuminating information about Walker joins the group. The Adam is fascinated by the industrial red rose held in his hand. husband Dan Ferguson, and they with twentieth-century masters such as the pieces to be played. He has an programme also includes Haydn’s past of Glasgow – as his images of The Ayr exhibition arose tangentially married in 1954. They lived in Shostakovich, they have shown that unusual background: adopted as a Opus 54 No 1 and Musique Orante by ships under construction show. Again, from the purchase by the Maclaurin of Glasgow and in 1970 bought a high art is totally compatible with fun. baby, he discovered in adulthood that Charles Tournemire. The musicians’ the link with St Abbs may be Donaldson’s portrait of his daughter weekend retreat in Argyll – it had been The four players – Rachael Lee (cello), his American father belonged to the debut CD, featuring that Haydn significant: ‘I remember as a small boy Caroline, shown on roller skates with a private estate chapel – where they Elita Bungard (violin), Tamas Fejes Apache Nation. He would like to write quartet, Bartok’s Second String of four looking up at the boats a Walkman in her hand. This came entertained neighbours and friends. (violin), and Mike Lloyd (viola) – a book about his quest for his birth Quartet, and Glazunov’s 5 Novelettes, beached on the shore. From my about through the interest of Michael Meg was an accomplished cook and indulge from time to time in parents, but says ruefully, ‘I’ve never will be on sale on the evening. perspective they must have looked Clark – painter, member of Glasgow hosted many dinner parties where spontaneous banter with each other written anything other than a As for the Fejes Quartet’s view of huge.’ Art Club and an Ayr resident – who is food was plentiful and the wine and the audience. Far from distracting Christmas card!’ Glasgow Art Club, ‘We love it, quite They still do. Looking at Adam’s a member of the Maclaurin purchasing flowed. Dan, a past president of the from the music, this friendly, relaxed, Tamas, as quartet leader, shows the simply,’ says Mike. ‘We always feel shipyard pictures with the vessels committee. It seemed appropriate that Art Club, died in 1993 aged 68. Meg atmosphere simply enhances the musical authority that has marked his very welcome there.’ towering on the stocks, you can the purchase should be followed up by died in January at the age of 83 after a energy and insight which the quartet career since distinction as a youthful Lesley Duncan imagine seeing them through that this comprehensive record of brief illness. She is survived by her bring to their playing. All are violinist in Hungary. Their women small boy’s eyes. Donaldson’s lifetime achievement. daughter Anne and son David. 6 3 The Scottish Art Exhibition, in association with Deutsche Bank, filled every corner of the Club in March. These photographs by Gerardo Jaconelli were taken at the private view. Some faces will be very familiar, others less so Who’s Paul Frame of Deutsche Bank (and President Raymond Williamson who at Glasgow Art Club) at the microphone the big picture A YOUNG PAINTER WHO CUTS A DASH Above: Frank To in the Gallery with Edinburgh, where all but one of the 22 eyebrows by dressing up for the part two of his paintings, at the Scottish pictures were sold. They included two to open the show. Art Exhibition in March. In April he self-portraits of Frank in the robes and Earlier this year Frank was co-opted had great success with his solo beaked mask worn by ‘plague doctors’ to the Club council - at the age of 29! show exhibition, called The Human centuries ago in the hope of protecting Photograph: Gerardo Jaconelli Some of the guests at the private view Condition, at the Leith Gallery in themselves from infection. He raised Brothers face a deadline

Brothers Paul and Adam Kennedy have a tight deadline – there’s barely a fortnight between their arrival back in Scotland from a working trip to America and the opening of their joint exhibition in the Gallery on July 12. It will help to concentrate the mind, says elder brother Paul. The schedule for their four-week trip across the USA has involved a circuit from the Arizona desert to New York via Las Vegas (but not for the gambling), San Francisco and the Yosemite, and various places in between. Some camping at national park sites is included – but that doesn’t mean roughing it. It’s not to be confused with

wild camping in the Highlands. The trip was planned after Adam won the latest Aspect prize, which carries with it an award of £15,000 to enable the winner to explore new avenues without money pressures. Adam, who is fascinated by the relics of past industrialisation, decided to visit the famous ‘boneyards’ of Arizona, the vast open-air museum of obsolete aircraft now ageing in the desert. Paul, who was an Aspect prize finalist in 2009, decided to join him. They’re used to working together – they share a flat in Glasgow. But their work is chalk and cheese, very different in style. Adam (23) and Paul (28), joined Glasgow Art Club recently and have had work shown in the Club’s exhibitions. Paul joined first, Adam (left) and Paul Kennedy in front of Paul’s painting of their encouraged to do so by Liz Knox, whom he regards as his mentor. father and uncle.Above right,Adam’s Clyde Shipyard Study. (continued on page 6) 4 5