Market Avenue’s Metropolis Artwork Centre presents Marine, a two-floor exhibition of artworks by Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925-2006). Finlay was an internationally famend Scottish artist and Britain’s most important concrete poet of the twentieth century. Opening on 22 Could, this main exhibition focuses on the maritime theme in his work. It was a central component of Finlay’s artwork, and one to which he returned all through his life.
Drawn from the artist’s property and the Metropolis Artwork Centre’s assortment, and together with loans from the Nationwide Galleries of Scotland, Marine: Ian Hamilton Finlay showcases artworks from throughout a number of a long time, starting from stone, wooden and neon sculptures to tapestry. The present additionally options prints, postcards and booklets from Finlay’s Wild Hawthorn Press, capturing Finlay’s curiosity in nautical themes throughout a wide range of media.
‘Ships Bells – Iroko Wrap-Round – Strake’, 2002. ‘Marine’ Ian Hamilton Finlay (with John Andrew). Each – © The Property of Ian Hamilton Finlay. (L/H picture – Antonia Reeve.)
On present, alongside Marine: Ian Hamilton Finlay, can be pictures from the sequence Ian’s Fleet by Robin Gillanders, which the Metropolis Artwork Centre has lately acquired for its assortment. This sequence of seven black and white pictures seize a fleet of picket mannequin boats made by Finlay, floating on Lochan Eck, the pond at Little Sparta. Little Sparta is the backyard at Stonypath, within the Pentland Hills, the place Finlay lived and labored for 40 years and is now thought-about considered one of Scotland’s biggest twentieth century artworks.
The present is accompanied by an thrilling occasions programme and a listing with an insightful essay by Stephen Bann, CBE, Emeritus Professor of Historical past of Artwork, and Senior Analysis Fellow at Bristol College. Marine: Ian Hamilton Finlay has been co-curated with Pia Maria Simig, Executor of the Property of Ian Hamilton Finlay, and is offered as a part of the Edinburgh Artwork Pageant 2021 and Scotland’s 12 months of Coasts and Waters 20/21.
To coincide with the Metropolis Artwork Centre’s exhibition, the Scottish Poetry Library presents a small show of works by Finlay, drawn from its archive. From Sea to Metropolis: Ian Hamilton Finlay runs from 25 Could to 9 October 2021.
Metropolis Artwork Centre Curator Maeve Toal mentioned: “The marine theme was an early supply of inspiration for Finlay and continued to be a recurring affect all through his life. Certainly, boats proved to be an inexhaustible topic. Taking its title from the earliest work within the exhibition, Marine (1968), this present brings collectively artworks which span Finlay’s total creative output, stretching from the Sixties by to the 2000s.”
Councillor Donald Wilson, Edinburgh’s Convener of Tradition and Communities mentioned: “We’re delighted that the Metropolis Artwork Centre is ready to showcase this intensive exhibition of works by Ian Hamilton Finlay. Finlay was some of the versatile artists of his technology. With the help of collaborators, Finlay translated his concepts into artworks in a variety of media. I’m certain guests can be impressed by this various physique of labor.”
Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan, Edinburgh’s Vice Convener of Tradition and Communities mentioned: “We’re all very a lot wanting ahead to welcoming guests again once we reopen this weekend and that is one other incredible exhibition to look ahead to. Marine guarantees to be an interesting exhibition and guests may also benefit from the accompanying programme of occasions which incorporates particular excursions, household craft periods and talks by Findlay’s collaborators.”
Marine: Ian Hamilton Finlay
22 Could – 3 October 2021
Metropolis Artwork Centre, 2 Market Avenue, Edinburgh EH1 1DE
Free admission, pre-booking important. Go to edinburghmuseums.org.uk or contact the Metropolis Artwork Centre on 0131 529 3993.