Rob Mulholland - Sculpture for Scotland

Rob Mulholland has been exhibiting successfully at Artery Gallery with his metal work for nearly three years. The vibrancy, and craftsmanship of his bowls in particular proving a real hit all year round.

He has recently had eight sculptures commissioned by Scottish Enterprise and Forestry Commission Scotland. The brief was to create representations of animals and birds as part of the natural food chain in the forest. The brief allowed for a certain degree of abstraction of the forms as long as they were still recognisable to the public.

Rob says, "My proposal aimed to develop each sculpture individually utilising different materials and methodology. I felt that it was also important to vary the scale and placing of each sculpture to add variety and interest to the trail."

The whole project has taken four months from the planning stage in January 2008 to the installation of the work and final completion at the end of April 2008.

The first of Rob's sculptures to be installed at the trail is the giant 'Osprey'. He explains, "With this sculpture I wanted to explore the form and movement of the bird. As the ideas developed I thought that it would be an interesting to construct the bird out of the type of small twigs that they collect to build their nests. I was keen to switch the materials and decided to use 6 and 8mm steel rode. The freedom offered by welding these small interlocking pieces allowed me to create varied masses within the form of the sculpture which makes the shape change as one moves around the Osprey. From certain angles the form becomes more abstracted."


Rob Mulholland was interviewed on BBC's 'Landward' programme which aired in May, by Nick Nairn on the installation of the Osprey sculpture, the first of eight for the new Loch Ard cycle trail in the Trossachs.

Rob's work can be purchased online at http://www.arteryuk.com/artists/Mulholland,Rob/

Nostalgia and the Now

Artery Gallery welcomes new works from painter Scott Carruthers, exhibiting in St Andrews for the second time.

His paintings are largely inspired by a mix from the nostalgia of his childhood in the 70's and early 80's, along with watching his two young kids grow up. Not necessarily making any comparisons, but being reminded of his early years and how their life today differs in these modern times, yet in a way mirror his own childhood.

Scott explains his thoughts behind one of his works, "Our children seem to be growing up quicker all the time. If you don't believe it, think back to what you were doing and what you had at different stages of your childhood. I imagine it differs greatly.

Kids seem to get to a point where there just want to be older. Yet it will happen all too quickly and before they know it they will be forever chasing their youth.

He adds, "I don’t want my kids to turn around in 30 years and say to me “I was so concerned about growing up faster; I wish there was a way I could of slowed it down.”

I’m sure there are ways of helping that. It’s important that parents understand the need for an orderly progression through childhood. In the past there were important cultural “markers” that determined the ages at which certain behaviours and belongings were appropriate. Those markers seem to have disappeared, or they’ve certainly been moved downward."

"At best, you’re only a kid for about 12 years, with another 70 taken up by adulthood. Surely someone in the beginning didn’t think that ratio through properly!"

Scott's new works, including "Slow this Bird Down" and "Street Children", are exhibiting at our St Andrews gallery now.

www.arteryuk.com

The Surreal Deal - Andrew Baines

New works by Andrew Baines are now on exhibition at Artery Gallery in St Andrews.

Andrew has exhibited extensively in Switzerland, the US and Canada as well as around Australia and has proved equally collectable in Scotland, since being introduced by Artery Gallery three years ago

One time illustrator and sign-writer, Andrew Baines has risen in recent years to become one of Australia’s top contemporary artists. In the last four years alone, he has been a finalist in no less than twelve competitions, two of which have been for the Australian National Portrait award.

It has been as a figurative painter that his reputation has been established. With a strong resemblance to the work of Belgian surrealist Rene Magritte, the majority of Andrew’s work depict suited businessmen, not necessarily floating in the sky, but lined up along the shallows of a golden beach, reminiscent of the beaches near to his hometown of Grange, South Australia.

With other huge influences being Andy Warhol, David Hockney and Prohart, the inspiration behind Andrew’s paintings are more direct and pivotal to his own experiences and personal decision to become a painter.

"When I was 14, my parents took me back to England to visit the relatives," says Baines, who had emigrated from Colchester when he was just one year old. "One morning we caught the Underground. I went down onto the platform and I was greeted by a sea of formally dressed, bowler-hatted men, holding their umbrellas and briefcases. It just looked so incredible, because they were all clones and they all looked lifeless ... waiting for their train to come in. That stayed in my subconscious for years and years."

When Baines got his first job at 17 at a department store, these images resurfaced. He adds, "I'd be on the bus with all these commuters and think to myself that this is exactly the same as the bowler-hat men – but much more Australian, more casual. I used to think their lives were already spelled out for them. I thought to myself, 'I don't want to be like this'."

His early surrealism was largely ignored. Since he lived by the beach and had always done so, it was suggested to him that he began interpreting the environment closest to him.

He says he had avoided painting the beach because he wanted to be different. The beach was too obvious. But the beach was a hit with the art market and Baines' exhibitions were sell-outs.

With his paintings taking of commercially, Andrew mixed this style with his original vision. Now his beach shallows and rolling hills are populated by circus performers, herds of cows and wooden chairs! "They've still got that nice aesthetic mood but then you've got my underlying, self-conscious feelings on life coming through," he says. A post-modern landscape.

Surrealism has dwelt in his mind's eye throughout his painting years and it is a genre to which he returns, rather than begins. With this amount of success as an artist, Andrew Baines has become the real deal.

www.arteryuk.com

Scotlands Bold Landscape

Scottish artist Martin Devine has launched his latest exhibition of work at Artery Gallery in both St Andrews and Crieff.

Martin, of Linlithgow, Employs colour theory, varying the use of tone and differing brush strokes to present a contemporary image of the Scottish landscape, aiming to change the perception of the landscape seen by the viewer.

Martin explains, “I originally discovered an artistic ability in portraiture and wildlife, moving onto landscapes which have now become my recognized field in a distinctive style”.

Inspired by minimalism, spare with detail, encouraging a regard for simplicity, the strengths of his watercolour paintings lie in the boldness of the colours he uses, perfectly outlined with Indian ink.

His paintings have proved a huge success in his short time with Artery Gallery, selling out his previous two exhibitions.

The work of Martin Devine can be viewed online at www.arteryuk.com or by visiting Artery Gallery in St Andrews and Crieff

www.arteryuk.com

Mythical Sculpture! - "The Golden Fish" by Alexandros Arabatzoglou

In some cultures a fish can be a potent sign of fertility, signifying abundance, movement and creativity. For example, in Roman mythology a fish can be a symbol of love – fetching Venus to mind – or the power of the waters, mighty Neptune. Fish in baskets – as in meals of plenty, bread and wine, the foods of redemption – and fish in association with an axe as in Assyria and Crete, or perhaps with moon shapes in many of the fishing cultures, all represent blessings and confer magic fertility on the catch or upon the whole community.

In China. Great Mother Kwan-yin was often portrayed as a fish. In India the Goddess Kali was called ‘the fish eyed one’, and in ancient Egypt, Isis was called Great Fish of the Abyss. In Greece. the Greek word ‘delphos’ meant both fish and womb. The word is derived from the oracle at Delphi, who worshipped the original fish goddess Themis.

Alexandros Arabatzoglou at Artery Gallery

"Alexandros, is giving everything to get into his sculpture, the same amount of hummanity and seriousness, nobility and experience, acceptance of life, distinction and aristocracy.With absolutely no tricks, no effection, no self conciousness, looking straight ahead, no movemant...but more alive than a real person."

Alexandros Arabazoglou was born in Heraclion, Crete in 1970. He comes from an art family, and from when he was a child, he got involved in the art of jewellery. He was designing and creating unique pieces and he was selected as a fine artist from the BBC channel. Soon he discovered his passion for harder materials, and he started to work with Bronze and different kinds of stones, clay and glass. After many years of work, he had managed to match these materials together, and create his own style in modern art. All his pieces are unique (editions of one). He has taken part in many exibitions all around the world, and many of his sculptures are in private collections.

Visit the Artery Gallery website at :www.arteryuk.com

The Hooded Monks

These are new hand crafted, ceramic 'Hooded Monks' by highly respected Cretian sculptor Manolis Patramanis. The monk figures represent how people in everyday challenging roles are putting themselves forward to serve the world by devoting their energies into helping those in need, often going unnoticed and unpublicised,

The work undertaken by these unknown ‘Hooded’ Samaritans is ever more highlighted over the increased Christmas period, yet their endeavour continues throughout the year. A hooded monk on the mantelpiece can act as a nice little reminder.

Most of the sculptures by Manolis Patramanis are developed from his thoughts on life, and his work is exclusively available in the UK through Artery Gallery at 43 South Street, St Andrews (01334 478221) and 22 King Street, Crieff (01764 655722), priced from £75

www.arteryuk.com

Scottish Art on Fire

Artery Gallery is a leader amongst Scottish art galleries and has become known for not only its diverse collection of contemporary art, but also for its broad range of national and international artists with their own unique backgrounds.

One particular Scottish artist who fits this mold and is on constant exhibition at Artery Gallery with his 'Flaming Art', is professional artist from Airdrie, Derek Collins. Derek creates stunning works of abstract art by pouring carefully selected special resins, powders, pigments and liquids on to canvas. His creations really come to life when the main ingredient is added, fire!

Derek’s art is an extension of the specialist paint effects he has been applying for many years. He says, “I love the way other paints and lacquers affect one another, if one paint is not compatible the other paint does not want to touch it so it moves away or breaks the weaker paint and forms another effect. When you then add the thinners of different paints, another reaction takes place, too much thinner will make it flow out but set it alight and it will evaporate the thinners and seal off the paints.”

As well as these paints and lacquers, Derek has used all kinds of extra materials in his art, from sand and shards of glass to leaves and moss. Customers can even provide specific stones, gems and personal photographs that can be incorporated into the artwork. A couple of years ago he was approached by a woman who had come across his flaming art, and asked him to incorporate her mother’s ashes into a painting. Being an incredibly sensitive matter, it’s something Derek took on with great pride and care. He says “Quite often people are left with loved ones ashes and are not quite sure what to do with them. Using the ashes in a painting is a great way to commemorate a life, and creates something close and personal that can be kept in the home and more importantly in the family for years and years to come.” Derek has since been asked many times to create these special artworks incorporating the ashes of loved ones.

Even in his early years as a decorator, Dereks forte was the use of colour, but he has always had the passion to experiment and create. What he is achieving now with his art has just been a natural progression, all steming from many years ago when he was experimenting with decorative paint effects on his stone floors. Now he has all the freedom of expression he desires to create, on canvas, these fine works of contemporary abstract art.

Artery Gallery has been a major supporter of contemporary Scottish artists over the years and continues to boost artist profiles, such as that of Derek Collins. Derek says “I have made giant leaps forward in recent years and my art is very much recognised and highly sought after across Scotland and the UK, with Artery Gallery in St Andrews being the most prolific in selling my work”.

He has also helped raise money in an art auction for the Prince of Wales Hospice by donating, what proved to be, an extremely popular painting of Scottish comedian Billy Connolly emerging naked from the Clyde!

www.arteryuk.com

Artery Gallery in St Andrews

Artery Gallery opened in St Andrews in May of 2006 and made an immediate impact with its locals and visitors to the town. Based at 43 South Street, it is in an ideal location situated opposite the Byre Theatre and just a few yards up from the famous Jannetta’s Ice Cream shop and with the cathedral ruins in the same corner of St Andrews, people are drawn all the way through to Artery Gallery’s part of town.

St Andrews is well known for attracting many overseas visitors for its history, education and golf, and Artery Gallery has had visitors of it's own from across the world including Japan, France, Italy, New Zealand, Alaska, Canada and the USA, all purchasing original artwork or leaving positive comments in the visitor guestbook.

Artery Gallery has also been a major supporter of new artists over the past few years from the gallery in King Street, Crieff and through their award winning website, and continues to boost artist profiles by now introducing them to St Andrews where its UK and overseas visitors can see some of the best emerging contemporary artwork first hand.

Bing Wang and his superbly detailed still life oil paintings have also become well collected by Artery Gallery’s local and national buyers, Sangster’s Restaurant of Fife being the most notable.

Since opening, Artery Gallery has exhibited many Scottish artists including painters James Adams, Angela Lawrence, Jackie Gardiner, Marie Hart, Martin Devine and Graham McKean and sculptors Ronna Elliott and Mark Smith. Other artists exhibiting have been from Australia, Canada and across Europe with the latest being renowned Italian artist Alberto Bertoldi with his amazing oil paintings of clouds. Alberto has arranged over 30 solo exhibitions across his homeland and is now showing his work for the first time outside Italy through Artery Gallery.

Jewellery has also shown great popularity all year round with Artery exhibiting works from 10 different jewellers, stretching from the USA and Brazil, to Israel and Eastern Europe, as well as those from a little closer to home! All very different and unique in techniques, materials and style.

St Andrews now has a gallery that defines modern art to compliment it’s lavish historical buildings, chapels and universities.

www.arteryuk.com

3 Years and 4 Stars

In 2004, Artery Gallery opened its doors at 22 King Street, Crieff for the first time, bringing with it modern contemporary art from local artists as well as from around the world. The aim behind Artery was to make this art accessible and affordable to everyone. This month, Artery Gallery celebrate their 3^rd birthday and at the same time, celebrate retaining their 4 Star Arts Venue title with VisitScotland.

During the 3 years of successful trading in Crieff, Artery Gallery has also expanded into one of Scotland’s prime cities, St Andrews.

The number of artists exhibiting through Artery Gallery has also grown in this time, with popular Scottish artists consistently featuring, such as that of Derek Collins, Graham McKean and Peter Davenport.

In recent months the gallery has also secured unique exhibiting rights on artists Colin Carruthers and Tim Fowler. The Director of Artery Gallery says “We feel this is a bit of a coup for us, being a Scottish contemporary art gallery and securing unique selling rights to the works of successful artists. We always like to work with our artists and try to help them progress, giving them essential feedback we receive from our customers and keeping them up to date with the progress of their work”.

For a historic Scottish town such as that of Crieff, it is important for local businesses to progress and offer an experience that is just that little bit different and build on the good things that Crieff has to offer. Artery Gallery would like to thank all of their customers and visitors alike for their continued support over the past 3 successful years.