Inchmore Gallery, Inverness-shire, until 30 January 2010

Yellow Ukulele by Caroline Hewat (Acrylic on Canvas)

INCHMORE’S current show presents a varied selection of new work from Chris Hugh MacKenzie, Rhona Joan Macleod and Caroline Hewat. In addition to work by the featured artists, there are some excellent works by Inchmore’s regularly exhibiting artists, including raiku ceramics from Allison Weightman, newly commissioned sculptural work in ceramic and bronze by Daniel Kavanagh, and striking mixed media collages by Emma Noble.

Rhona Joan Macleod’s passion for local architecture is evident in a series of linocuts and ink and acrylic wash drawings depicting historic buildings and riverside scenes in Inverness. Derived from sketches and photographs, Macleod’s use of linocut together with her stylised drawings present a unique vision of our everyday surroundings.

Riverside 2 with its strong black definition of architectural forms softened by pastel washes and wonderfully animated skies, is an excellent example. The viewer can really feel the energy of the linocut process in this series of prints.

Macleod presents a pastiche of architecture old and new in her pencil and ink drawing Eden Court, and a finely executed ink and acrylic wash drawing River City is a particular highlight of her exhibition. The rhythm of mark in the water and balance of the composition between areas of wash and white canvas are beautifully realised. The structure of this drawing is impressive, and the contrast between man-made architectural geometry and organic line is reminiscent of Mackintosh.

Chris Hugh MacKenzie’s homage to the Highland landscape, North Facing Heart, presents a series of oils and mixed media Travel Logues that respond directly to the land and ideas of home. The Travel Logue’s are especially interesting, possessing the immediacy of a visual diary or sketchbook.

In Away, the artist’s exploration of oils creates an amazing array of textures and veiled colour, emerging from beneath a glaze or thaw of frozen landscape. The cool greenish hues are counterbalanced by scant accents of warmth and the mood of the work dominated by dark skies is extremely evocative of the Northern winter.

In Home I (Oil on Board), the artist successfully explores abstract composition in a convincing balance of the drawn mark, delicate pink chalky textures and starkness of forms defined in black. It is an ambivalent and intriguing piece of work that shows promise. Though some works in the show are more patchily executed, the best works convey a real investment not only in the subject matter but in the handling of media.

A sense of experimentation pervades new work by Caroline Hewat in a series of watercolour, ink, mixed media and acrylic works exploring both urban and land-based subject matter. Stylistically this is an eclectic display of work, a combination of direct observation and interpretation that at its best demonstrates great understanding of composition and its essential elements.

A small work such as Linear Field is a good example, striking an accomplished balance between colour, form and line. Although modest in scale this is a strong piece, layered in earthy tones overlaid with vibrant orange and a carefully structured accent of white unifying the whole composition.

This is developed further in larger scale semi-abstract works such as Red Planet and Yellow Ukulele, which are highlights of the show. Though unity exists in individual pieces it is disappointing not to see greater coherence in the artist’s visual statement as a whole. Previous showings of Hewat’s work have demonstrated a stronger sense of the artist’s individual voice, and greater consistency and equality between technique and ideas. There is an overall feeling of work in transition here, and while evidence of experimentation is always wonderful to see, this artist is certainly capable of a commanding solo show.

Inchmore’s commitment to showing work by emerging artists is to be congratulated, and the gallery continues to be a stimulating showcase of contemporary Scottish Art. During 2009 there has been a diverse range of practice represented in the venue, with the focus on more experimental work in the upper gallery presenting an exciting dynamic within what is essentially a private commercial art space.

This is a tradition that I hope will continue in 2010 and beyond.

© Georgina Coburn, 2009