Joan Eardley.

Unfortunately, our intended lecturer had to withdraw because of illness but we were ably rescued by Dr. Joanne Meacock who took over at short notice. In a well-illustrated talk, she gave a comprehensive account of Joan Eardley’s life and work and placed her firmly in the canon of twentieth century artists. Glasgow museums have been fortunate to acquire two of Eardley’s pastels from Mrs Kathleen Buchanan.

Who were the Blockade Runners?

If you don’t know the answer to this question you should visit Riverside Museum where there is a fascinating little display on the Blockade Runners – Glasgow’s role in the American Civil War.

On 15th March a group of Friends visited Riverside to see this display and to hear a fascinating lecture from John Messner, Curator Transport and Technology, on the ships built on the Clyde to transport vital supplies needed by the Confederacy because of the naval blockade by the Union side.

We also learned about local business man, John Smith, a supporter of the Confederacy, who is thought to have been the first to fly the Confederate flag in Scotland and were able to view that very flag in the display.

As the Friends enjoyed the lecture so much we hope to invite John to speak to us again, possibly on the subject of railways.

Liz Dent.

A D Vance
Samuel Waters
© CSG CIC Glasgow Museums Collection

Modern Scottish Women:Painters and Sculptors 1885-1965.

In February we had a most inspiring lecture by Alice Strang, Senior Curator at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and curator of the current exhibition, Modern Scottish Women: Painters and Sculptors, 1885 – 1965, at Modern Two in Edinburgh. https://www.nationalgalleries.org/modernartgalleries

In her lecture Alice Strang not only introduced us to some well known women artists but to many whose work richly deserved to be more widely recognized.
The difficulties the women faced, first in accessing training and then because of their gender, in practicing art, provided an interesting insight to the social conditions of the period.
We looked at their work in an entirely different light.

Just a week after the lecture a group of Friends visited Modern Two at the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art where the exhibition is being shown.
We were ably led by Margaret Anderson, whose knowledgeable commentary on the coach through to Edinburgh, actually made the M8 seem quite interesting!

At Modern Two, we were divided into two groups for a guided tour of the exhibition
With Alice’s lecture still fresh in our minds we enjoyed the opportunity to see the paintings and sculpture “in the flesh”.

I was struck by how few of the works were landscapes – dictated in most cases by the artists’ domestic circumstances – with only the unmarried Joan Eardley and Wilhelmina Barns-Graham producing any body of work in this category.

A highlight of the show, among all the portraits, figure studies and still lives was Glasgow’s own “A Girl of the Sixties c. 1900” by Bessie MacNicol.

All in all it was a most enjoyable and enlightening trip.

E. M. Dent

Bessie McNicol: A Girl of the Sixties
©CSG CIC Glasgow Museums Collection

Angels Galore!

The Heavens were indeed kind to FoGM members for their recent full – day excursion, which started with the "Angels" exhibition at St. Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art. Meeting on a crisp and clear morning , the organizer of "Angels", Learning & Access curator , Harry Dunlop , gave an entertaining introduction to the contents and context of this highly successful and popular exhibition. Free time was spent in enjoying the wide variety of artefacts on display, spanning the centuries and personal tastes, with "Angels" from the dawn of antiquity to the present day. Featuring audio/visual testimonies from a wide range of world religions and beliefs, accompanied by personal anecdotes and artwork from the visiting public, the exhibition has proved to have an appeal for a wide audience.
The afternoon visit was to Govan Old Parish Church. A guided tour had been arranged of the famous early Christian, highly - decorative, carved stones, 31 of which still survive and the remarkable group of five hogback monuments. Spanning the 9th to 11th centuries, they represent one of the largest collections of early medieval sculpture in Scotland. No less interesting and beautiful , was the vast array of luminous stained glass windows, installed in this late 19th century building, by its first minister, Dr. John MacLeod , who broke with tradition in his determination that the style and subject matter of the windows should be inter-related and not a random choice donated by members of the congregation.

Morna Mathers.

Examining the Stones
(Courtesy of Frances Dryburgh)

Arts and Crafts in Edinburgh

On 27th January, 36 friends journeyed to Edinburgh to see three significant Arts and Crafts buildings. First we went to the Robin Chapel of the Thistle Trust in Craigmillar. This was built by Sir Francis and Lady Tudbury in memory of their only son, Robin, who was killed in the last week of the Second World war. It is built in the finest of materials and the stained glass by Sadie Mclellan is luminous.it is a non denominational chapel and evensong is sung every Sunday.

We then travelled to the Song School at St Mary’s Cathedral  to see murals by Phoebe Traquair. The exposition by a very knowledgeable local guide gave us much information about the artist and the murals-she worked alone for four years to complete them.

After a quick break for refreshment at the Ocean terminal, we proceeded to Mansfield Traquair Centre. This is in the former Catholic Apostolic Church and the interior was decorated by Phoebe Traquair. Here three guides explained the murals and decoration which cover every inch of the walls and ceiling.

We all agreed that this had been a fantastic day, very well organised by Marion Maudsley and Ann Robertson. Our thanks go to them and to our driver who had to contend with heavy rain and heavy traffic.
The three sites we visited have excellent websites.