Alison Kinnaird

Taking Flight

7 - 30 May

Alison Kinnaird MBETaking Flightwww.scottish-gallery.co.uk/alisonkinnaird

“Symbolism often works on a subconscious level. In the past, I have almost always worked with the human form, but recently I have found that birds and related subjects were coming into my work. The image of the bird has often been used as a reflection of the thoughts which give a glimpse of the unconscious. Having experienced the arrival of a first grandchild, I recognise that this latest body of work is a meditation on life and mortality. This does not mean that it is always gloomy it is often hopeful or simply questioning, as one sees new life take flight, but one also becomes aware of the passage of time, and of life’s fragility.

Glass has a spiritual purity which seems very appropriate to express this quality. A number of works resulted from a symposium at Northlands Creative Glass,in Lybster, to which a group of international artists were invited by Jane Bruce. I received support for attending this event from Creative Scotland. This visit changed the scale on which I work. As an engraver, the technique can limit the size of any piece. I found, however, that the confidence of gesture which wheel-engraving demands, could translate into large-scale drawings and paintings, some of which I am exhibiting. I expect to develop future work on both an intimate and a larger scale.”

Front cover: Icarus, 40 x 26 cms, wheel engraved lit glass panel. Photograph Robin Morton

Left: Feathers, 38 cm h, wheel engraved. Photograph Alison Kinnaird

“The past two years have also been occupied with a major commission from the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. In 2003, the Gallery asked me to create a portrait in glass of the ornithologist, Roy Dennis. Following the success and popularity of this work, I was commissioned to create the ‘Appreciation Window’, a window which recognises the generosity of the major donors to the recent spectacular refurbishment of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. It will include up to 24 engraved portraits, and is the only new artwork which has been commissioned for the renovated Gallery. It will be installed there and unveiled in early July 2012.”

Alison Kinnaird, 2012

Small Feathers, wheel engraved, 8 - 12 l cm each approx. Photograph Robin Morton

Above: Wing, 85 x 158, charcoal and pastel, framed. Photograph Antonia ReeveLeft: Winged figures, 40 cm h, wheel engraved and sandblast. Photograph Robin Morton

Left: Lybster Bird, 150 x 130, ink and wash, framed.Right: Lybster Birds, 433 h x 48 w x 23 d cms, enamel on glass (left panel) glass frit and engraved (right panel)Photography Alison Kinnaird

Linenfold Panels, 20 x 20 cms, cameo engraved. Photography Ken Smith

Alison Kinnaird MBE

Taking Flight

7 - 30 May

Alison Kinnaird’s work can be found in public collections worldwide including: Scottish National Portrait Gallery, EdinburghNational Museums Scotland, Edinburgh The Scottish Parliament, EdinburghDundee Museum & Art Gallery, DundeeScottish National Portrait Gallery,Edinburgh Broadfield House Glass Museum, West MidlandsVictoria and Albert Museum, LondonCorning Museum of Glass, New York, USA Leicester Museum and Art Gallery, LeicesterUlster Museum, Belfast Kelvingrove Museum and Art Gallery, Glasgow

Right: Apartment Blocks, 10cm2. Wheel engraved and sand blasted glass blocks. Resin blocks are cast resin from the glass blocks.Photograph Lutz Naumann

Small Hands, 15 x 20 cms, framed. Photography Robin Morton

Above: Apartment Blocks, 10cm2. Wheel engraved and sand blasted glass blocks. Resin blocks are cast resin from the glass blocks. Photography Ken SmithBack cover: Veil I & II, 25 x 15 cms, cameo panels. Photography Robin Morton