Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery opens new display on what would have been Gray’s 90th Birthday
Alasdair Gray Exhibitions
Alasdair Gray: novelist, playwright, poet, printmaker and, of course, artist. Such is the wealth of Gray’s work, that six years after his death, he is still very much present in the life of Glasgow.
A new exhibition, Alasdair Gray: Works from The Morag McAlpine Bequest, brings nine works of Gray’s to a public audience for the very first time. The exhibition is a celebration of 10 years since Glasgow Life Museums had the collection donated, following the death of Morag McAlpine, Alasdair Gray’s wife.
The Works
Kelvingrove was credited by Gray as being the place where he fell in love with painting. A weekend art class at the art gallery in his early years set him on his journey. Decades on and, due to the nature of the pieces they will be displayed in the Fragile Art Gallery. The gallery is specifically dedicated for works of art which can be damaged by light.
Art works on display include dust jackets and book artwork for Agnes Owens’ People Like That and A Working Mother. Of note, the original cover artwork for his novel Poor Things will also be on display. Katie Bruce, Producer Curator with Glasgow Life says ‘These personal gifts [of the bequest] for anniversaries, birthdays, and Christmas include portraits later transformed into characters in his work and framed drawings for book covers and dust jackets, both for his own publications and those of fellow writers. Among them is the original cover design for Poor Things, which many will now recognise from the recent film adaptation.’
Form
One of the highlights of the exhibition is one of Gray’s best known works Cowcaddens Streetscape in the Fifties. The artist referred to the painting as ‘my best big oil painting.’
It reflects perfectly the style adopted by Gray after graduating from Glasgow School of Art. The collection in general gives insights into Gray’s artistic style and practice. Works in progress such as People Like That, allow visitors to regard Gray’s process from the inception of an idea through to published artworks. The pieces perfectly display Gray’s distinctive style, whilst showing his innovation. Using tippex and labels to make changes to his art are shown as a positive addition to his pieces, meaningful alteration during the artistic process. Visiting the exhibition is a must for any artlover.
This rich, exciting exhibition is open from Saturday 14th June. Katie Bruce adds ‘It is fitting and wonderful to display this collection in a place that meant so much to Gray, and to offer audiences a deeper understanding of his innovative practice and extraordinary talent.’
To find out more on Alisdair Gray Exhibitions, visit –
Alasdair Gray: Works from The Morag McAlpine Bequest
From Saturday 14th June
Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery
Return to Culture and Arts Articles
