Susan Michie, For a Composer, 2014, sepia ink on paper, 54 x 135 cm
Patriothall Gallery
1d Patriothall
(off) Hamilton Place
Edinburgh EH3 5AY
5–27 August 2017, open Tues – Sun, 12–6pm (Sat 19 August, 1–6pm)
Following its successful launch in London in 2016, The Drawing Works announces its second group exhibition at Patriothall Gallery, Edinburgh in August 2017, as part of the Edinburgh Art Festival pop-up programme. As well as introducing the work of two artists newly associated with the gallery, Susan Michie and Eric Cruikshank, ‘Fault Lines’ focuses primarily on large-scale drawings, as well as on works in series and in combination with small objects.
Now based in Devon, the Edinburgh-born artist Susan Michie is exhibiting her work for the first time in Scotland, showing her large-scale grid, line, and dot abstract drawings including a selection from the 14-piece series To the Edge (2008).
Painstakingly executed with a wood-burning tool, Julia Hutton’s Burning Light series investigates the theme of light in the landscape and is exhibited here almost in its entirety.
The Irish artist Steven Maybury has a growing reputation for his drawings based on the material properties of everyday objects; he is presenting a number of large-scale works as well as an installation of small drawings related to found objects which are displayed alongside.
Fiona Robinson is a well-established artist and member of the RWA Bristol whose drawing works have been exhibited widely in the UK and abroad; this is her first appearance in Scotland.
The intense linearity that unites many of the artists in this show also characterises the work of Nigel Bird, whose practice is inspired by the landscape and climate of southern France where he lives, evoked here in his drawing At Sally’s.
The Scottish artist Eric Cruikshank is best known for the minimalist paintings he has exhibited in London, Germany and elsewhere, but on this occasion is presenting a series of small charcoal drawings that have not previously been seen in the UK.
The majority of the works in this show are characterised by what Deanna Petherbridge describes in her catalogue essay as ‘repetitive tracings and markings’, which may extend in a similar way over several related images and are built up slowly over time. But despite the dominance of the chosen method, these drawings also refuse to be bound by formula, undergoing unexpected shifts and changes in rhythm that undermine their stability and reveal their handmade nature. In a world often in thrall to spontaneity, they demonstrate the expressive power of what could be called ‘slow art’.
The exhibition is accompanied by an illustrated catalogue featuring all exhibiting artists and an introductory essay by the artist and writer Deanna Petherbridge. There are also two talks scheduled by Professor Neil Cox (Edinburgh College of Art) and Kerry Watson (Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art), and a practical workshop led by exhibition artist Steven Maybury (visit edinburghartfestival.com for details).
Participating artists
Nigel Bird
Eric Cruikshank
Julia Hutton
Steven Maybury
Susan Michie
Fiona Robinson