Past and Present Landscapes at Duff House

An exhibition of contemporary art inspired by the Aberdeenshire landscape will open at Duff House, Banff on Saturday, May 28.

 

‘Landscape Past and Present’ is Aberdeenshire Council’s contribution to this year’s Coast festival, which will take place in the north east harbour towns of Banff and Macduff, from 27-29 May.

 

Striking and unusual paintings of rural Maud by Aberdeenshire artist, Nicola Williams, and evocative pieces by Aberdeen-based film maker and photographer Callum Kellie will be on display.

 

Their individual responses to the north east environment have been selected to complement the iconic landscape, The Vale of Dedham, by John Constable, which is currently on loan to the house from the National Galleries of Scotland.

 

Rachel Kennedy, general manager of Duff House said: “Constable was well-known for painting the Suffolk countryside, a much-loved English landscape where he grew up. Nicola and Callum’s work also reflect very personal responses to their local communities.

 

“We hope this exhibition of contrasting landscapes will make a stimulating show and strike a chord especially with local audiences.”

 

Nicola Williams from Maud in Aberdeenshire said: “I grew up on a farm in the north east of Scotland, a time and place from whose harsh realities I conjured up my hallucinatory painted world populated by birds, beasts, children and people.”

 

Callum Kellie said: ”My work is heavily influenced by my environment, whether it is the rural communities I grew up in or the platforms of the offshore oil industry where I once worked.”

 

The two artists will discuss their work at Duff House on Sunday 29 May at 2pm as part of the Coast festival weekend of events, places are free but booking in advance with the house is recommended.

 

‘Landscape Part and Present’ is a partnership between Duff House and the Aberdeen City & Aberdeenshire Visual Artists' Award, a scheme funded by Creative Scotland and the two local authorities to support the area's talented practitioners. The exhibition continues at Duff House until the end of June 2011. Constable’s ‘The Vale of Dedham’ will be on display until the end of October.

For more information on the exhibition, please visit the Duff House website www.duffhouse.org.uk

 

• The Coast festival’s ‘Meet the Artist’ event takes place at Duff House on Sunday 29 May at 2pm.  The event is free but seats are limited. To avoid disappointment we advise booking in advance on 01261 818181.

• Nicola Williams grew up on a farm in the north east of Scotland. She studied at Gray’s School of Art and The Royal College of Art and works with household gloss paint and enamels on canvas, board and linen.

• Callum Kellie lives and works in Aberdeen.  After studying in Inverness he moved to Aberdeen from Strathspey to study at Grays School of Art where he graduated.  He works with photography, video and sculpture, using it to respond to his environment.