Portrait Gallery Events: Week Two
The Missing – A National Collaboration
6pm. Wednesday 18 Jan.
1 hour talk
This event first caught my eye as I am very curious about The Missing, a book published in 1995 by Andrew O’Hagan on his investigations into missing persons. How then, did The Missing take on a new life form as a National Theatre of Scotland production (by the same name) and influence a new addition (and excitedly, a new medium – film!) to the Portrait Gallery collection? After being lucky enough to catch both the NTS play, (adapted by O’Hagan) and the artwork Missing by Graham Fagen at Tramway last September and having recently seen the Missing displayed in the newly refurbished Portrait Gallery, I thought why stop there? James Holloway, Director the of the Portrait Gallery and John Tiffany, Director of NTS who both commissioned and directed the play, and artist of Missing, Graham Fagen came together for one night only to discuss all of these projects and I thought it seemed like a great opportunity to hear what spurred on such an artistic collaboration.
The panel in full flow...
The discussion took place in the Scottish National Gallery’s lecture theatre, a room which on reflection could have felt a little impersonal, given the sensitive subject matter of ‘mispers’ (O’Hagan’s description of vulnerable people that go missing from British society). It was however, actually extremely intimate and moving and, despite the harrowing nature of the subject matter, quite funny at times. Ruth Wishart, a Herald newspaper columnist and BBC broadcaster, led the conversation and her dry wit and direct manner kept the panel, especially James, on his toes.
Missing is its current setting, Photograph by John Mckenzie
It was obvious that the three men have been in partnership for some time (James had introduced the two back in January 2011) as they all seemed at ease with each other discussing the creative process behind such a sensitive issue. Coincidently, (and unknown to James and John), Andrew and Graham actually grew up together in the same area of Irvine. When the time came for the three of them to meet with the author, Graham and Andrew reminisced about their childhood and how a peer from their housing estate had gone missing. This relationship only added new layers to this unique collaboration.
I think one of the most poignant comments from the discussion that has stuck in my head, came from James’ explanation on why he wanted an art work like the Missing in the Portrait Gallery. The Gallery is not about missing people, portraits hang on the walls representing people from Scotland and he felt the Missing would give these ‘mispers’ a place amongst society and a home.
A smiley finish
Clare from the NGS Press Team attended The Missing: A National Collaboration. Graham Fagan’s work is on display at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery until 31 March 2012.
Portrait Gallery Events: Week One
Portrait Gallery Insights: Out of the Shadows.
6pm. Thursday 12 Jan.
30 minute talk
Although women appear across the Portrait Gallery in various contexts, Out of the Shadows charts the tipping point of changes in society and attitudes towards women’s roles. With Caitlin Moran’s How To Be A Woman still riding high in the bestseller charts – what better place to start learning how things were than delving behind the canvas of this new exhibition.
We meet in the great hall (fully booked with 15 people only as the exhibtion is quite small). Sarah Saunders, Deputy Head of Education at NGS, leads the group up to the far side of the top floor where Out of the Shadows is situated. Seated on portable stools, Sarah outlines the nature of the exhibition – drawing the group’s attention to a series of photos projected onto one central wall of the space. The 19th century and a few early 20th century cabinet cards (50 in all) highlight the unlikelihood of women being a person of note; simply as very few of them have names or families attributed to them. They face Queen Victoria who, as Sarah explains, was somewhat a paradoxical female monarch, not believing in votes for women.
The 30 minute talk whittles through a menagerie of information that does not fit onto the wall texts. We learn why Queen Victoria is placed next to Caroline Norton – Norton was trapped in an abusive marriage unable to petition for divorce so canvassed the Queen about divorce rights for women. Also about Mary Somerville who sits next to Charlotte Nasmyth. Somerville, one of the premier scientists of the 19th century was banned by her parents from indulging her love of maths and astronomy as a child and threatened with a straitjacket. Nasmyth however was uniquely provided with the same education as her brothers and encouraged to hone her craft as an artist.
The portraits on display in Out of the Shadowsare of women whose lives span the late 18th to the early 20th century and the names are not unfamiliar – Carlyle, Burns, Nasmyth. This corner of the Portrait Gallery reflects a period of huge change; Flora Drummond the suffragette’s ‘general’ with her purple, white and green sash sits alongside 1840s photos of the Newhaven Fishwives, not just traders but accountants for their husbands, fathers and brothers.
Supplementing the information on the walls and elaborating with readings from Clementina Stirling’s memoirs Mystifications and the correspondence of Jane Baillie Welsh Carlyle (which show huge similarities to today’s cynical social columnists,) Sarah deftly runs the quiet audience through the characters in the exhibition and why they belong on the walls of the Portrait Gallery.
Portrait Gallery Events
Throughout the renovation and refurbishment at the Portrait Gallery we’ve been keeping you updated on progress with snapshots of developments. Now the gallery has been open for over a month we feel it’s only fair we share how things are going now the doors are open and the scones are baking, (had to mention the scones). The gallery saw well over 50,000 visitors in the first month alone, all coming down to the gallery to look round 17 exhibitions and of course, marvel at the restored and now very shiny Great Hall.
It is in the Great Hall that in the weeks since the Portrait Gallery opened, groups of art fans, families, students, anyone and everyone has gathered before tours, events, drop-in sessions to meet their tour guide – anyone from a curator, or Gallery Director James Holloway, through to the education team and local architects. Over January and February – through the cold, dark and ice – we’re going to attend an event a week to give you an idea of what’s what. From families events to curator talks we hope to give you a feel for the Portrait Gallery experience…
Although some of the events at the Portrait Gallery are drop-in, it’s always worth checking if they have a limited capacity. All events are listed at National Galleries online. Also – we’re tweeting and keeping Facebook updated with highlights and ideas so make sure you’re following us!
Opening Acts
With over 10,000 visitors in the first four days, we have been really delighted with the responses to the SNPG opening and to our education programmes.
This weekend coming we have even more events for you at the Portrait Gallery. Today, Friday 9th we launch the Rough Cut Nation book, featuring live music from John Knox Sex Club.
On Saturday 10th we are focusing on the Romantic Camera exhibition with a free drop-in cyanotype photography workshop suitable for ages 8 + and Autograph ABP, one of the UK’s leading photographic agencies, will be in residence and inviting all Scots from culturally diverse backgrounds to dig out their photographic treasures and have their family albums digitised for posterity. Also on Saturday, don’t miss live music and dance from The Sikh Sanjog Girls and Dholki players in the Great Hall and warming winter storytelling for families in our cosy library.
On Sunday 11th December we have the continuation of our free cyanotype workshops, where you can create beautiful blue photographs. If you prefer to explore the exhibitions, then try one of our five free Portrait Gallery trails on a variety of themes. Then in the afternoon, watch out for a special festive edition of Portrait Detectives. Children can collect a detective kit and help Detectives Raeburn and Rothko to solve Scottish crimes and mysteries. And all of these events are completely free!
Last weekend was a blaze of activity! On Friday night we held our first music event in the Citizens of the World gallery. Devised by the Glasgow-based artist Steven Anderson, Your Leaning Neck brought together traditional Scottish singers and contemporary artists. The result was an incredibly beautiful, dramatic and mesmerising performance. Artist Ruth Barker started the evening (above), processing around the gallery barefoot and wearing a scarlet dress, especially created for the performance, which bound her arms to her sides. Arthur Watson created an intimate atmosphere by singing facing towards the portraits and the spellbinding voices of Elizabeth and Sheila Stewart, the last of a long line of singers in the oral tradition, really captured the imagination of the audience. The last group of three singers to perform were led by Hanna Tuulikki whose work is inspired by the Scottish Gaelic oral tradition of imitating bird calls and songs with the voice. In this case they used their extraordinary voices to evoke the oystercatcher, the redshank and seabird colonies.
Then on Saturday 3rd December the fun really began with free festive activities for children including bauble-making and christmas tree decorating in our new farmer Education Suite. With the Portrait Gallery christmas tree in place, the Family Festive Concert with Craigentinny Primary School Choir was a really big hit with visitors.
On Sunday, despite the very cold weather, The Great Portrait Breakout was a very impressive and dramatic success. Sixteen characters from the Frieze literally came to life and escaped from the gallery to the sound of the brilliant band Pure Brass playing the theme to The Great Escape.
The famous Scots created a real buzz in the gallery and lots of noise, especially the Vikings and John Knox who were really out to cause trouble. Robert Burns was as delightfully charming as you would expect, as were Mary Queen of Scots and the handsome and erudite Thomas Carlyle. It was great to hear the specially composed fanfare played in the great hall, and to see the proud composer John Maxwell Geddes there in the audience.
We would like to extend our thanks to everyone who has visited so far. It’s been so brilliant to see you all in the building engaging with our exhibitions and events. We’d love to hear what you think so far. And for any of you who’ve not been in yet – what are you waiting for! We are really looking forward to welcoming you and introducing you to your very own Scottish family album.
Scottish National Portrait Gallery OPENED TODAY
So the Scottish National Portrait Gallery is OPEN!
At 10am this morning we all gathered outside with the Preston Lodge High School Pipe Band to watch those much loved doors open to the public, announced by James Holloway, Portrait Gallery Director and opened by John Byrne. They will open at 10am 7-days-a-week from now on!
Just for you, we’ve quickly run round with our camera and snapped people having a look in the never-seen-before exhibitions. From Women of the 18th-Century to Romantic Camera and back to the Reformation charting the mid-1500s to the end of the seventeenth century and on to the Jacobites in Imagining Power: The Visual Culture of the Jacobite Cause – the Portrait Gallery covers plenty of ground AND all of that’s before you will see Dolly the Sheep’s death mask and Hot Scots 21st century faces… and breathe… the 17 gallery spaces cover a lot of ground!
It was very exciting this morning seeing John Byrne knock on the door of the Portrait Gallery and step inside. The gallery is designed with you in mind, there’s been loads of brilliant feedback already on facebook and twitter and there were some very lovely comments on the gallery and its new light open feel today from those first through the doors.
I hope you will have a chance to come down and see the new Gallery soon – entry is completely free – and on Thursdays from next week 8 December we’ll be open late until 7pm.
Scottish National Portrait Gallery Opens Tomorrow – 01 Dec
The new Scottish National Portrait Gallery finally opens tomorrow after its 2-and-a-half year closure for restoration and refurbishment.
Here is a selection of images which show the new gallery spaces, ready and waiting for the public to come in and enjoy. All in all, there is 60 percent more space open to the public.
Graham Fagen’s Missing in the Contemporary Gallery, the video installation is one of the new Portrait Gallery’s first commisions.
Faces & Placesis a new and exciting addition to the Portrait Gallery. The digital library is found in many of the exhibitions, and there’s a dedicated Faces & Places touchscreen gallery on the first floor, where you can explore the collections under a starry ceiling!
Looking forward to welcoming you into the new gallery…
We are on the final straight now. By the time we welcome our first visitors it will have been four full-time years of Portrait of the Nation for me.
Above is the temporary office I share with Willie Dickson and Anne Buddle: The Command Module.
But there can be no flagging, for there is still plenty to be done. The first batch of what will be about 1000 light fittings arrived today – made in Scotland and of pioneering LED (light emitting diode) design. The light quality in the trials looked terrific and the energy consumption will be about one fifth of the tungsten equivalents. Althought it is a measure of how naturally bright the building now is that we have hardly noticed the lack of artificial lighting.
Those pictures that have been hung look revived in their new surroundings.
Faces & Places: Bonnie Prince Charlie
Three years ago, when we first put our heads together to think up some digital ideas for the opening of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, I’m pretty sure interviewing Bonnie Prince Charlie wasn’t one of them … yet here we are.
The photos show ‘living history’ re-enactor Arran Johnston being filmed by the wonderful Dougie and Shu from Rapid Visual Media. Arran is dressed in full Prince Charles Edward Stuart costume (complete with tartan trews and basket-hilt broadsword) as I talk to him about the finer details of the 1745 uprising, Culloden and his escape with Flora MacDonald. It really did help this complex piece of history – and the character at the centre of it – become clear to me, so I hope it works for our visitors too.
The final video will be available on Faces & Places, our touchscreen gallery which is being developed by top digital agency Lightmaker UK (their other clients include JK Rowling and Manchester United). Faces & Places will allow visitors to explore the portraits of Scotland by finding connections, watching videos and playing games.
Solving a seemingly insurmountable dilemma!
What do we do when two paintings are simply too large to reach the top floor of the Portrait Gallery?
This was the problem faced by the Conservation Department this summer as it was discovered that two very large historical group portraits – both essential to one of the major exhibitions on the top floor, Imagining Power exploring Scotland’s Jacobite history – would neither fit up the stairwell nor in the new lift (the paintings had previously been on display on the ground floor).
Traditionally in this situation paintings are removed from their wooden stretchers and rolled onto a large ‘drum’. We were anxious to avoid this as both paintings had complex conservation histories having been both fully lined (a new canvas added using a paste adhesive) then strip-lined (tacking margins only strengthened with canvas using a wax-resin adhesive). Everyone put their heads together and an alternative was researched, discussed and finally implemented amid lots of breath-holding, teeth gnashing and finger crossing!
Essentially (and this is very much a concise summary) a ‘horse’-like structure was built to size. With the painting lying face down only the central parts of the stretcher were cut and removed temporarily for transport. The horse was then rolled across the back of the painting and attached at either end by two end wooden ‘gates’. The result was a canvas fully supported as it lay ‘draped’ across the rounded, padded, mobile form. Once safely transported from the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art to Queen Street the procedure was reversed and the original stretcher was bolted back together. It all sounds so simple!
In this instance pictures do speak louder than words…. Suffice to say that despite elevated stress levels all round, it was an exemplary project for cultivating good team work and a large group of conservators, technicians and art handlers was involved both in the preparation and on the ‘action’ days.
Thanks to everyone’s attention to detail, enthusiasm and good humour I am delighted to report that the two paintings were transferred safely and without incident.
Looking spectacular in the newly refurbished top-lit gallery space you would never know the structural trauma and hours of hard work involved in getting them there!
Bringing Portraits to Life!
How time has flown! It seems only a few weeks ago that I started my new role as Learning Coordinator for the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, but glancing across at my calendar I can see that I have been in post for several months now! I can’t believe it – not long to go until the November re-opening, so I had better get my skates on. I manage the family and community programmes and projects as well as coordinating the new learning spaces at the Portrait Gallery. It’s a fabulous opportunity and I’m really enjoying being part of the Education team.
Before joining National Galleries of Scotland, I worked at the National Museum of Scotland – another brilliant re-development project. Unfortunately I left before I got the chance to peek inside the museum, so I am delighted to say, that I am actually writing this blog from within the walls of the transformed Scottish National Portrait Gallery. We have officially moved back in and there’s quite a buzz about the place with the first exhibitions being installed and staff unpacking in their new offices – what a place to come to work in the morning! Seeing some of the portraits ‘in the flesh’ (so to speak) has really brought home to me the wonderfully rich potential of the collection for families.
The new purpose-built education suite
One of the approaches I am developing for family audiences is to invite storytellers, re-enactors and actors, as well as artists to bring the portraits to life and offer new perspectives. I love the idea of walking, talking portraits, but even more than that, I like the idea of offering playful ways of exploring and interrogating well-known characters and works of art. I’d like families to help re-create some of the portraits, decide ‘What happened next?’ and to get involved using costumes, music, props and lots of imagination. To this end I’m creating a new regular Sunday afternoon drop-in activity called Meet the Ancestors. It will join its illustrious colleagues Portrait Detectives (currently at the Scottish National Gallery, but to transfer to the Scottish National Portrait Gallery from November) Art Cart (at the Scottish National Gallery) and Bags of Art (at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art). This means that there will be something happening for families at the National Galleries of Scotland every weekend throughout the year.
Portrait Detectives at the Scottish National Gallery, photograph by Alicia Bruce
In addition to this there will be a fun new trail to take families on a journey around the Portrait Gallery. This will be part of a suite of free, themed trails developed to let different groups, including community groups, schools and adults to explore the new galleries, making new and unexpected discoveries along the way.
I can’t wait to see the first members of the public walk through those doors!
