Arran Visual Arts Exhibition

Alison Prince
photographs by Sarah Hay, to whom many thanks

Lochranza Hall was full of paintings and three-dimensional works last week, together with some notable work made by members of the highly successful Art in Mind group. The exhibition was dominated by landscapes, many of them depicting Arran in its many moods, and some of these were very effective. Jane Penn’s swirly, vigorous painting of Goat Fell had tremendous impact and in a very different way, so did a study by Jim McKintosh of the Viking Ship, Corrie. His Casteal Abhail, too, was assured and accomplished.

Yvonne Bailey, one of Arran’s most professional painters, showed her study of a Mare & Foal, which surely should be a favourite among all horse lovers, but more broadly, among all who paint with solid, well-judged use of colour and texture. Equally professional but utterly different in approach are Masako Ritchie’s highly refined Japanese ink drawings. Her Notation of Blooming catches exactly the bursting global circularity of buds about to explode into blossom, while her grave little composition, Untitled, has a perfect balance that speaks its own language.

Reuben Betley shows work in the general section and most notably, contributes a highly accomplished drawing of Rorie in the Art in Mind section.Rebecca Roberts, a highly individual painter, uses a vigorous impasto technique that makes Mill Port Sunset particularly striking. Her blaze of light across darkening water is a delight.

Among the three-dimensional work, David Samuels was outstanding for his exquisite furniture, while wood-turning and basketware reached the high standard we have all come to expect.

Arran Visual Arts is to be congratulated on another successful show, and for its continued work in providing a wide range of weekend workshops. Details of the next one follow below.