Artists respond to Norman MacCaig's poetry

In Response 2 : Norman MacCaig

an talla solais Ullapool Visual Arts exhibition
6th - 21st November 2010

Helen Denerley  -  Di Hope  -  Kittie Jones  -  Joanne B. Kaar  -  Mahiri Killin  -  Trevor Lockie  - Ian Stephen

This exhibition, a tribute to Norman MacCaig, will be looking at and responding to the poet’s written observations of a Scottish landscape, specifically his writing about the Assynt area: landscape and fauna.

The exhibition is being curated by an talla solais, to coincide with Top Left Corner's week-long celebration of the work of the Scottish Poet and the centenary of his birth (1910 - 1996).  The celebration will be held in Assynt from the 5th - 13th November at various venues in Lochinver, and will comprise talks, readings, film showings, exhibitions, guided walks and ceilidhs. Performers include Liz Lochhead, Alan Taylor, Alan Riach, Sandy Moffat and Wendy Stewart. In conjunction with this, there will be a new collection of his poems published by Birlinn Books, a BBC documentary, and a poetry-map.

an talla solais was approached by Mandy Haggith who has worked to bring about the Centenary Celebration in Lochinver, and who first suggested  that we consider an exhibition 'In Response' since having seen  'In Response; Les Murray' the Australian Poet, here in an talla solais in 2008.

Norman MacCaig, spent his adult life between Edinburgh and Assynt,  He wrote much of his poetry inspired by the area, which he called ‘this most beautiful corner of the land’ in his poem ‘A Man in Assynt’.

This exciting group of seven artists; Helen Denerley, Di Hope, Kittie Jones, Joanne B. Kaar, Mahiri Killin, Trevor Lockie and Ian Stephen will show their responses to specific poems. Each artist has been chosen for their unique relationship with and approach to the themes in MacCaig’s writing, their approaches complement each-other well through painting, sculpture, mixed media and digital media. an talla solais is delighted to have this superb diversity of talented artists showing together in this exhibition.

In Response 2 ; Norman MacCaig will be open 1 - 4 pm every day from the 6th to the 21st of November.

Also showing at this time is Assynt Artists Respond to Norman MacCaig, an exhibition mounted by a group of Assynt based Artists. This exhibition will show in two parts: extending to the Lochinver Leisure Center (5th -13th November)

an talla solais Ullapool Visual Arts is at Market Street, Ullapool, IV26 2XE www.antallasolais.org

This project has been supported by the Highland Council
an talla solais Ullapool Visual Arts is a Charity registered in Scotland SCO40348