Spring Blog - March
The Art of Transformation: our Spring Exhibition and from leaflet to brochure ….
The Art of Transformation
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The Art of Transformation 〰️
With Spring comes the new growth for the seasons ahead. Everything seems to enjoy a surge of transformation after the winter months. It is the same in the artworld. Galleries revamp, Artist Studios prepare for the year ahead and new inspirations awaken. Our Gallery Spring Theme for 2024 is ‘The Art Of Transformation’ – a group show of Scottish artists exhibiting works that demonstrate how art transforms. Art has an extraordinary ability to transcend the ordinary, to transport us beyond the confines of our everyday existence. At its core, transformation in art represents a profound shift — a metamorphosis that alters perception, emotion, and understanding. It can manifest in various ways, such as landscapes that shift with the seasons, portraits that reveal hidden layers, and abstract pieces that invite introspection. There is also the transformation that takes part when a ceramicist or jeweller manipulates raw materials into an object of beauty; or the wood-carver who whittles away until a spoon is formed.
Our Cover Artist for Spring is Helen Campbell. Art has been an intrinsic part of Helen's life since her early years. She identifies herself primarily as an artist, using photography not as an end but as a means to extend beyond traditional boundaries and explore new realms. In her work, the ordinary is transformed, taking on new dimensions through an interplay of abstract light, colour, and texture. Helen invites viewers into a space of reflection, where the interpretation is a deeply personal voyage. Mindful of the viewer's perspective, Helen aims to search out the unseen by stripping back layers until the micro becomes macro. It is an amazing transformation she creates when using this process and for this reason Helen has been chosen as our Cover Artist for Spring 2024.
We have many of our regular exhibitors returning for another season with us. Once again, we start our year of exhibitions with a special display from our women artists in connection with the Dundee Women’s Festival. Our Studio is also open through out the Festival for visitors to have a look and on Sunday’s our resident artist, Annie McLean is working and demonstrating various techniques etc. The Studio is open every Sunday throughout the 2024 seasons. With our new purpose built inner wall, we have divided the gallery into four display areas including an ‘Affordable Art’ section, where smaller works can be purchased for just a few pounds, and a ‘General Area’ that accommodates the works that are not part of the themed display.
During the Winter Closure we looked at new ways to tell our public more. What evolved was a seasonal brochure to replace the monthly leaflets. It started as a 4-page bi-fold ‘newsletter’ – a bit more than a leaflet and not quite a brochure. Amidst the design details and the content, it soon became apparent that 4 pages were not enough and so an 8-page brochure was created. After we went to print with the final draft, we realised that we were missing some useful content. Too late to alter our Spring Brochure but we are now working on a 12-page brochure for Summer with content that will provide information to our tourists and local visitors as well as our art lovers and makers. Our Summer Brochure will have a ‘What’s In Kirrie’ page where we will have information and links to all the venues who are supporting us by stocking our brochures. In addition, we will have a links page on our website in support of local businesses.
There are more innovative concepts being developed; many more transformations being brought about in 2024. Keep an eye on the website and our Facebook Page for updates throughout the year. In the meantime, all suggestions or comments are very much welcome. After all, our motto is: To Create and Serve.
~A~
