An exhibition of new work by Irish-born artist Tony Swain, who trained at Glasgow
School of Art and still lives and works in Glasgow. Swain, who was one of the artists representing Scotland in the 52nd Venice Biennale in 2007, is known for paintings depicting complex private worlds painted over newspaper pages, the newspaper providing both the physical ground and the conceptual starting point of each painting.
Swain paints landscapes, cityscapes, seascapes and interiors, frequented and constructed by mountains, sand dunes, meadows, trees, rocks, lighthouses, power stations, landmarks both natural and man-made, boats, bridges, buildings, houses, furniture and domestic objects. His imagery is often on a vast scale, encompassing huge vistas, but also collapses into intimacy. The marks he makes most usually organise themselves into representation, but sometimes remain as passages of painterly abstraction. A lot of the work generates the expectation of narrative, seeming to lead somewhere both conceptually and formally, yet it eschews this expectation, working instead on and with the picture plane. Fragments of the newspaper survive, transformed and transfigured by their inclusion in Swain’s painted world.
This exhibition will consist entirely of new work, made specifically for The Fruitmarket Gallery.
Notes to Editors
Tony Swain was born in 1967 in Lisburn, Northern Ireland. He lives and works in Glasgow.
A catalogue has been produced to accompany the exhibition, which includes essays by Fiona Bradley, Director of The Fruitmarket Gallery and writer and curator, Isla Leaver-Yap. There is also a conversation between Tony Swain and artist Karla Black.
112pp,fully illustrated.
The Fruitmarket Gallery aims to make art accessible without compromising art or underestimating audiences. It presents world-class, thought-provoking and challenging exhibitions of modern and contemporary art made by both Scottish and international artists in an environment that is welcoming, engaging, informative and always free.
Tony Swain is represented by The Modern Institute, Glasgow and Herald Street, London
Talks
Collage and Painting: A Modern Partnership
Wednesday 2 May, 6.30pm. Free.
Professor Brandon Taylor (University of Southampton) examines relations between collage and painting at key moments in modern art, as well as the possibilities still open today.
Dreamtime Painting
Wednesday 16 May, 6.30pm. Free.
Katharine Stout (Curator, Contemporary Art, Tate Britain) explores the way in which Tony Swain creates paintings that have their roots in a world we recognise, but also possess an unreal quality.
Media Enquiries contact
Press and Marketing Manager Louise Warmington
P 0131 226 8182 E louise@fruitmarket.co.uk
Martin Creed Work No.1059, 2011
New Commission for the Scotsman Steps
Supported through the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund for Edinburgh Art Festival.
The Fruitmarket Gallery is proud to have commissioned a new work of public sculpture by Turner-Prize winning Scottish artist Martin Creed for Edinburgh’s historic Scotsman Steps. Work 1059 is a feast for the eyes – 104 steps leading from the Scotsman Hotel on North Bridge to Waverley Station and The Fruitmarket Gallery on Market Street, each step clad in a different colour of marble. The work has been supported through the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund for Edinburgh Art Festival, as well as several generous individual and corporate donations.
Martin Creed is an artist of international reputation, who makes work of the highest quality. His work is generous, direct and convincing, with an economy of means that belies the complexity of its affect. In 2001, he won the Turner Prize with Work No. 227: The lights going on and off. His recent exhibition Down Over Up at The Fruitmarket Gallery was one of the highlights of the 2010 Edinburgh Art Festival, with over 60,000 visitors and an extremely positive press and popular reaction.
The Scotsman Steps were built in 1899 as part of the ‘Scotsman Building’ for the Scotsman newspaper. The Steps are contained in an octagonal stone tower and form a pedestrian link between Edinburgh’s old and new towns. The Steps were somewhat dilapidated, and have been refurbished by Edinburgh City Council and Edinburgh World Heritage. Creed’s sculpture is a key addition to the refurbishment.
Work 1059 sees Creed re-surfacing the Scotsman Steps with different and contrasting types of marble from all over the world, creating a visually spectacular, beautiful and thoughtful response to this historic artery. Creed describes the project as a microcosm of the whole world – stepping on the different marble steps is like walking through the world, the new staircase dramatising Edinburgh’s internationalism and contemporary significance while recognising and respecting its historical importance. This is both a typical Creed idea, involving as it does the direct engagement of the public in a work whose simplicity belies its conceptual and architectural complexity, and an appropriate response to the particular situation of the Steps. Built into the fabric of Edinburgh, this new work will become a new and joyful part of the experience of the city for both inhabitants and visitors alike.
The steps will be open from daily from 24 June 2011, 5am – 12midnight, in line with the first and last trains from Waverley Train Station.
Quotes
Fiona Bradley, Director of The Fruitmarket Gallery said:
The Fruitmarket Gallery is proud to have commissioned this beautiful and thoughtful sculpture, making art of internationally-recognised quality part of the everyday lives of residents of and visitors to Edinburgh.
Sorcha Carey, Director, Edinburgh Art Festival said:
Edinburgh Art Festival is delighted to have supported this permanent addition to the capital’s cultural landscape. Martin Creed is one of the world’s most respected artists and we are thrilled that Festival audiences will have the opportunity to view this stunning installation.
Councillor Jenny Dawe, Leader of Edinburgh City Council said: The Scotsman Steps are an important part of Edinburgh’s culture and heritage, linking the historic old and new towns. They can once again fulfil that role in magnificent style with the original structures restored and the added artwork. This has been an excellent partnership project with heritage, arts and government bodies working to make a special contribution to the city.
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs said:
"The Scotsman Steps are simply stunning. This historic landmark has been transformed by one of our leading contemporary artists, showcasing Scotland’s culture at home and internationally and creating an exquisite lasting legacy for the city and country as a whole. Scotland is a creative nation with a rich heritage and this project reflects our significant cultural contributions to the world.”
Adam Wilkinson, Director of Edinburgh World Heritage said: "The City can now be truly proud of the Scotsman Steps, which are now worth seeing in their own right, as well as being a handy short-cut through the city. The project has brought together the flair of artist Martin Creed and the traditional skills of stonemasons, in the process transforming the steps and adding a bit of good old-fashioned delight and discovery. Steps such as these, and the narrow closes of the Old Town, need careful treatment to make them safe and attractive for residents and visitors.”
Andrew Dixon, Chief Executive, Creative Scotland:
‘Edinburgh Art Festival, with investment from Creative Scotland, continues to attract artists of the highest calibre, strengthening Scotland’s reputation as a centre of excellence for the visual arts and, with the support of Expo funds, is an ideal opportunity to showcase Scottish talent within the August festivals. This commission by the Fruitmarket Gallery, ensures Martin’s work will be a lasting legacy for the city.’
Notes to Editors:
o Martin Creed was born in Wakefield and brought up in Glasgow. He studied art at the Slade School of Art at University College London from 1986 to 1990.
o The Steps will be open to the public from Friday 24 June 2011. The will be open daily from 5am – 12 midnight, in line with the first and last trains from Edinburgh’s Waverley Train Station.
o Martin Creed’s Work No 1059, 2011 is supported through the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund for Edinburgh Art Festival 2010 with a grant of £85,000.
Additional support for the project has come from a number of generous individuals: Elizabeth Cowling, Susan and Alistair Duff, Werner Keschner and Catherine Muirden, George and Jacqui Morris, Barry Rosen, in memory of Bruce Lentini and Dorothy Rosen, Jaap Van Lierre, Iwan and Manuela Wirth and The Fruitmarket Gallery Board of Directors.
o This project is part of a wider renovation of the steps which has been undertaken by the City of Edinburgh Council with funding from the Edinburgh World Heritage Trust. Since 2009, repairs have been carried out, retaining much of the original architecture. The work was carried out with around £250,000 funding from the Council and Edinburgh World Heritage.
Edinburgh World Heritage (EWH) is a charity funded by the City of Edinburgh Council and Historic Scotland, with the role of conserving, promoting and enhancing the city’s World Heritage Site.
o The Fruitmarket Gallery aims to make contemporary art accessible, without compromising art or underestimating audiences.
The Gallery presents world-class, thought-provoking and challenging art made by both Scottish and international artists in an environment that is welcoming, engaging, informative and always free. The Gallery aims to give audiences the confidence to enjoy contemporary art and to understand the importance of art, artists, culture and creativity and their impact on individual and collective lives.
o The Scottish Government Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund recognises the exceptional creative talent that exists in Scotland and gives it an international platform on which to excel. It is available to all 12 festivals to support the development of Scottish-based work. The Scottish Government has awarded £2 million to the Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund in 2011/12. The fund started in 2008-09 (£6 million over 3 years) offering support to the 12 Edinburgh festivals under the umbrella of Festivals Edinburgh.
o Founded in 2004, Edinburgh Art Festival is Scotland’s largest annual festival of visual art. An international showcase of visual art, the Festival takes over the city each August with a four-week programme of exhibitions, specials events and tours, featuring internationally renowned artists alongside emerging talent and a special programme of new commissions. EAF sees national institutions join with artist studios and pop-up venues to share the best visual art has to offer.
For all media enquiries contact:
Louise Warmington
Press and Marketing Manager
The Fruitmarket Gallery
45 Market Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1DF
P +44 (0)131 226 8182
E marketing@fruitmarket.co.uk
