PIECES from their own collection are the focus of this month’s very special exhibition at Kirkcudbright’s Harbour Cottage Gallery.
Titled ‘Our Own Collection’, it is a unique opportunity to see the various pieces that have been amassed over the years by the trust which runs the historic cottage.
Described as a ‘fine collection’ featuring 31 artists, it came about by accident through donations and bequests from artists and others who have appreciated the gallery.
Until now, the eclectic collection has never been exhibited in its entirety and the trustees are describing it as a ‘not to be missed’ chance.
It features older “greats” such as James Faed (senior) whose “Roman Bridge, Minnoch” is so popular with the Dorothy L Sayers Society, William Mouncey, Thomas Blacklock, E A Taylor, Jessie M King, Jack Lamont, Robert Sivell, Cecile Walton (above) and Charles Oppenheimer. Then there are more recent artists, from the second or third wave, that some will remember as characters, or colourful eccentrics: Lena Alexander, W.Miles Johnston, the mysterious Vera Alabaster, John Halliday, the “Glasgow Girl and Bletchley Park code breaker Moira Beaty, Ann and Alastair Dallas, Anna Hotchkis, Tom Lochhead, Leslie (Dan) Duncan, his wife and gallery benefactress Kirsty McFarlane, Isabella Findlay and Teresa Dura Branson.
Furthermore, there are pieces from the renowned Benno Shotz and Pilkington Jackson.
And there is a collection within the collection: the “John Halliday Bequest Collection”. Following the death of John Halliday in 2021, his executors were charged to distribute his estate to charitable beneficiaries consistent with his ethos and Harbour Cottage Gallery were fortunate to receive a financial bequest but also a collection of fine works—John’s own “Corsock Quarry” and “Spring, Agrigento” ; Moira Beaty’s “Burp” and “Roberton Boy”; Pilkington Jackson’s Modello for a Garden Fountain; Stuart Beaty’s “The Queen” ; and a fine coffee pot by Tommy Lochhead.
Visitors are encouraged to ‘look harder’ at the works and at the end to nominate their favourite. Following the close of the exhibition, there will be a prize draw and the winner will receive a limited edition signed print of “Old Kirkcudbright” donated by Kirkcudbright’s own Colin Warden OBE, FRSA.
The event is now open and runs daily until October 14.
