an talla solais, Ullapool, until 23 September 2007

Work by Sheila Robertson.

ULLAPOOL Visual Arts’ latest open exhibition is clear evidence of a vibrant and diverse West Coast art scene. With work by well-known artists such as Barbara Peffers, Peter White, James Hawkins and Allison Weightman alongside both emerging professional and recreational practice, the show bodes well for the establishment of a local facility for visual arts including studio, workshop and exhibition space.

West Coast Open 3 represents a great range of work from painting and drawing to sculpture, ceramics, textiles, jewellery and mixed media with many innovative and inspirational pieces on display. The fluid relationship between Fine Art and Craft practices is displayed in the work of several artists and this is a unique strength throughout the region.

Innovative and unexpected use of materials can be seen in Merlin Planterose’s series of three “Wax Tiles” constructed from wax and paper and strong design is exhibited by two other works by the artist on show, “Large Bag” (fabric, card and found wood) and “Gravestone Necklace” (copper).

The robust open-chained necklace with a solid ingot naturally hollowed in the centre appears to be part construction, part assemblage of found elements.

This quality can also be seen in Natalie Ryde’s wonderful “A835 aka the Road Kill Brooch” in mixed media including wire and felt and material. It is a humorous, elegant piece of design and adornment transforming the found objects into something unexpected and extraordinary.

Another example is Tonya McMullan’s hanging work “LevelMadamLevel” reading like a curtain or screen and ingeniously constructed from the paper cut out words of the title in a continuous sequence.

Avril Moyes has contributed two textile works to the show, the first a dark piece of woven Polypropeline with a delicate tracery of diagonal lines of bare weave that allows the light to shine delicately through, and “Song of Ananke”, a bold geometric pattern of red hessian bands contrasted beautifully with painted sections of turquoise.

Barbara Peffers’ work “In Memory” constructed from soap stone, found wood and earth pigments displays a combination of refinement in the fine stone carving, the beauty of raw natural materials and the resonance of ancient Pictish symbols. The interplay of natural textures and the delicacy of fragmented human faces etched into stone are accomplished and distinctive.

There are some excellent examples of drawing in the show including the simplicity in pen and ink of Evelyn Peffers “Molly and her Puppies”, Rachel Wylie’s “Untitled II”, a beautiful abstract mixed media work in turquoise, ultramarine, purple and cream, and Lynn Bennett-Mackenzie’s naïve illustrative pen and ink “Someone to Watch Over Me”.

Other highlights in the show include Susan Brown’s “Two Doors” (oil bar) a vibrant, semi abstract composition with energetic cross-hatched layers of colour and the visual anchor of mountain ranges in the distance.

Eleanor White’s two intriguing mixed media triptychs in jewel like colour and Francis Fogg’s “Shore Street” (Ink on card) containing a softness of light and colour that is still, contemplative and glowing contrasted with white drawn lines scratched into the surface.

Two distinctive emerging painters in the exhibition this year (and also memorable in the previous show) are Adam Pellant and Cecilia Garbutt. Pellant’s “Harbour and Village” (acrylic & mixed media) is a fascinating combination of raw energy through use of colour; ochre, sienna, black and ultramarine, loose handling of paint and characteristic under-drawing or mark making allowed to shine through.

There is great spontaneity in this work which is both exciting and refreshing. Garbutt’s “The Angel” and “The Beacon” (both acrylic) are beautifully balanced and composed with complimentary abstract geometric and organic forms coupled with figurative elements. Her style is a fine combination of drawn, scraped and painted textures well balanced by colour and form.

With the current an talla solais building (formerly Ullapool Library) to be demolished, a proposal for the long term lease of the nearby former medical centre as a much needed arts centre for the area is to be considered by Highland Council.

Exhibitions such as this one reveal that the region can be justifiably proud of the visible presence of visual artists within the community who contribute so much to how residents and visitors view Highland life and our unique environment.

The subject matter, media and techniques are extremely diverse and an overwhelmingly positive sign of a healthy, proactive and creative community.

(Open 2pm to 5pm until 23 September).

© Georgina Coburn, 2007