Art Gallery Inverness

the first major showing in Scotland of the work of artist and sculptor Mark Lomax
the works, which comprise of both wall and floor pieces, were created specifically for the gallery space.
the wall pieces consist of a series of panels that have been constructed using a mixture of several layers of plaster and filler. various substances have been added to stain and colour the surface, these range from paint and pigment, to more unusual materials, such as soot, sand and rust

The pieces have been thoroughly worked and re-worked to reveal a richly layered and intricately patterned surface. The work takes references from a wide range of sources, both natural and man-made. These include cave art, rock glyphs and graffiti, in addition to fossils, rocks and minerals.

One aspect of the artist's work is an interest in serial and multiple imagery, in the past this has included pictures being exhibited together in groups of two, three, or five, this theme has now been extended so that all the pieces, although working individually, have been produced to be also viewed collectively, creating two long pieces running either side of the gallery, with two pairs of larger images taking up the gable wall.

Central to the installation is a floor piece entitled "Sticks and Stones"
This sculpture comprises of 100 red clothbound books, with each book being inlaid with, a stone, a piece of slate, or a section of stick.
If the wall pieces represent the artist's more spiritual leanings, then the floor piece is more earth-bound and direct, being concerned with language, knowledge and the power of words. It is also in its simplest form, a statement about prejudice, intolerance and childhood bullying.
The books also provide all the titles for the wall pieces, which in turn echo the shapes and colours, present in the inserted objects. This provides continuity and connects all the various elements in the show.

regionally, this is a rare opportunity for the Highlands to host an exhibition of this format and at this professional level

"Inchmore continues with it's remit of supporting and promoting the arts for the public and artist alike - it is encouraging to have thoroughly professional and (meaningfull) award winning artists planning new exhibitions in the gallery....all helping to encourage a progressive, cosmopolitan venue and attitude for art in the Highlands and Islands.

also - New Works by

Gwen Black "Between the Idea and the Reality"
A BA Honours Degree graduate from Grays Shool of Art, Aberdeen, with growing success within a range of Scottish Galleries and Exhibitions.

Gwen accounts for much of her artistic time encouraging others to think side ways and explore the freedom that understanding abstraction provides. However, firmly grasping the nettle that abstract artists often have to, Gwen continually challenges the viewers comfort zone.
In this show we are turned around and find ourselves not looking at the transformation of reality into abstract but indeed, experiencing the opposite process of looking back, through to reality, from "the abstract side".
This work introduces innovative figurative and landscape techniques.

Accompanying and supporting Gwens work is a new edition of Artists Book
"Between the Idea and the Reality"

future exhibition dates

other gallery artists

Coastal - Iain Carby | Porcelain - Catherine Holtet | Landscape -Francis Boag Ceramic - Alison Weightman | Textile - Sandra Kelsey
Landscape - Helen Bruce | Abstract Ceramic - Jym Brammah
Landscapes from Robyn Kennedy and Abstract works from Brian MacBeath

4th July to 7th September
Mark Lomax
Tracey Johnston | Maggie Savage | Robyn Kennedy | Cyril Reed