Stromata is a collection of works created by the artist Alexander Hamilton for a touring exhibition coordinated by The Highland Council. It is a response to the power of nature, drawing from the artist’s engagement with particular sites over the past 40 years. The resulting imagery reflects Hamilton’s deep interest in plants and working with nature. The works were created in locations ranging from Stroma in the Pentland Firth, Botanical Gardens in Glasgow and Edinburgh, Glenfinlas in the Trossachs and Brantwood in the Lake District.

For this exhibition Hamilton also takes the opportunity to try and locate the site of the wild fernery created by Robert Dick at Reay in Caithness in 1855, providing a focus for new work. This showcase of old and new work opens at Timespan, Helmsdale on Friday 17th June 2011 at 7pm, all welcome

Alexander Hamilton grew up in Caithness. Born in 1950 he studied drawing and painting at Edinburgh College of Art, before going on to spend six months recording the plants on the uninhabited island of Stroma. There he created his first ‘photogram’ images – and began a 40-year career exploring the connections between plants and landscape.

For over three decades, Hamilton’s work has been centred on an exploration of his connections with plants and landscape. His artistic practice broadly could be described as investigating established systems of knowledge and information. He is particularly interested in plant research with a focus on plant cultivation, breeding and monitoring.

 The exhibition runs from 23rd April – 12th June 2011 and was made possible through the support of The Highland Council, The Paul Hamlyn Foundation and European Community Highland LEADER 2007-2013 Programme.

Alexander Hamilton – Stromata
Saturday 18th June – Sunday 7th August 2011
Opening Friday 17th June 7-9pm
Artist Walk and Talk –  Saturday 18th June 12pm
Timespan Gallery, Free Admission
Opening times: Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm | Sunday 12pm – 5pm

Source: Timespan (www.timespan.org)