The Castle Gallery in Inverness celebrates its 10th anniversary this April with an exhibition by Gillian Jones 30th April – 21st May 2011.

Donnie Munro, musician and artist, is a great admirer of the work of Gillian Jones, as are many others in the North of Scotland, who are avidly awaiting her first solo show in a decade.

He writes, ‘Gillian’s works are poetic, dynamic and deeply engaging. They bring to the viewer a real sense of the pleasure with which the artist has engaged with the landscapes of her native Highlands and Islands. The Scottish Gaidhealtachd is emerging as an area which has a strong, tangible and distinct visual culture of which Gillian Jones is both inheritor and exciting exponent.’

Successful watercolours on a large scale are not easy to achieve, but Gillian manages this with aplomb; nothing is over-worked and the tonal balance is perfect. They are mostly painted ‘on the spot’, capturing the changing light conditions, colours and the essence of the place at one particular moment in time. The West Coast, Skye, the Black Isle and the Moray Firth all feature prominently, viewed from elevated positions. Her lightness of touch and assured fluidity of brush work suggest an effortlessness, but don’t be fooled, these paintings are the result of much hard work and dedication.

After several years looking after her young family and working part-time at the Castle Gallery, she has returned to painting and printmaking. She says, ‘Some people commented that it would be interesting to see what emerged after this period of creative dormancy, perhaps with the thought that my work might take a spectacular new direction. However, I always knew it would not be too far removed from what had gone before and this has proved true. My work has always portrayed a sense of place, whether it be the hills of the west or the fishertown of Cromarty, and this has remained with me since Art School days.’

The exhibition features about twenty new watercolour paintings and wood engravings. An illustrated colour catalogue will accompany the exhibition which can be viewed on-line at www.castlegallery.co.uk . Donnie Munro will be present at the preview to give a few words of introduction on Friday 29th April 5.30 – 8.00pm.

This special exhibition marks ten years since the opening of the Castle Gallery on 20th April 2001. Gillian Jones worked at the gallery before it was even open to the public, helping to paint the walls. It is entirely appropriate then, after ten years, she should be able to swop her decorators brush for her artist’s paintbrush!

Gallery open : Monday – Saturday 9.00 – 5.00 Admission free

For further information and images please contact Denise Collins at the Castle Gallery, 43 Castle Street, Inverness  tel 01463 729512  info@castlegallery.co.uk  www.castlegallery.co.uk

Source: Castle Gallery