Over the course of a year, from Easter 2011 through to the spring of 2012 and from the Highlands to the Central Belt, five separate exhibitions are showcasing an inspirational group of 20th century masters of Celtic arts and crafts.  And key sources of inspiration for these artists were to be found on the island of Iona.

This is the culmination of a three-year project by Groam House Museum in Rosemarkie which, in 2008, was one of only three Scottish museums to receive a Heritage Lottery Fund – Collecting Cultures award. The award was made in order to develop the collection – and display to the public – the work of George Bain (1881-1968), widely recognised as the ‘father of modern Celtic design’. His archive has been held by the Museum since 1998 and continues to grow.

The exhibition locations and dates are listed below.  In addition, there have been Celtic craft workshops with schoolchildren in the Highlands, a themed lecture series hosted by Groam House Museum and a Celtic Art Festival in and around Rosemarkie takes place from 1st-8th October.

The ‘home’ exhibition at Groam House Museum itself puts George Bain in the context of the 20th century renaissance in Celtic art by placing his work alongside that of craftsmen who preceded him or were roughly contemporary. The Iona silversmiths Alexander Ritchie (1856-1941) and Iain MacCormick (1917-1998) come into the latter category. Historical replicas of Irish metalwork also feature, a source of inspiration for that same generation. And the stunning Hebridean Rug made by Quayle & Tranter to Bain’s design is in itself worth a detour to the Black Isle for any visitors to the area.

IONA illuminated is, deliberately, a title with resonance. All the artists celebrated in the three linked venues drew upon the island’s brilliant legacy of ornamental stonecarving and gloriously illustrated manuscripts. Ten specially designed banners light up corners of the ancient Abbey – in a room off the Cloisters, in the Museum – and, for the first time, Bain’s superb studies of the Book of Kells may be seen near the spot where scribes of the Columban monastery first created this exquisite masterpiece.

The local Heritage Centre has on loan a variety of silver, brass, leather, book bindings and enamel jewellery – including some rarely seen items. Here, George Bain is in the company of Alexander & Euphemia Ritchie and of two of their skilled apprentices, both born on Iona: silversmith Iain MacCormick and brassworker Helen MacPhail. The Ritchies had met at the Glasgow School of Art in the 1890s and by 1899 had set up their shop, Iona Celtic Art, a pioneering artistic venture for its day which proved hugely popular for over 40 summers.

Today, Mhairi Killin of Aosdana Gallery continues in this direct line, producing Celtic silver from original Ritchie masters alongside contemporary artefacts rooted in island tradition. On show here too, for this season only, are two exceptional Ritchie pieces – an oak and brass firescreen and a candle sconce, both clearly sourced from the galley and foliage patterns of Iona’s medieval graveslabs.

Bain and the Ritchies led parallel careers and had closely overlapping passions and skills. Yet, as far as we know, they never met in person. Groam House Museum, in partnership with Historic Scotland, has finally united them through their craftsmanship, on an island that directly influenced them all.

Bringing a selection of George Bain’s best original artwork to the capital city in October is a major achievement by Groam House Museum and its curator, Susan Seright. It was in Edinburgh that the Caithness-born lad had his schooling and formal art training and where his paintings were first exhibited, at the Royal Scottish Academy.  Over the winter, visitors to the Scottish National Gallery on the Mound will have ample opportunity to pore over examples of Bain’s meticulous penmanship, lettering, sketches, designs and rugs.  Not to be missed – and a reminder that this all comes from an archive of national significance which now has its home, thanks to the generosity of the Bain family, right here in the Highlands.

Looking forward into 2012, the many people who flock to Glasgow’s annual Celtic Connections will, if arrangements are confirmed, be able to see a mixed media display by George Bain. The complex, beautiful patterns of the pieces should perfectly complement the intricate rhythms and harmony of the music they will have come to hear.

The Wester Ross artists who run the set of attractive display spaces in Ullapool – an talla solais or ‘hall of light’ – have eagerly embraced the plan for the final exhibition next March. This will focus on the finely crafted handiwork made by George Bain and some of his contemporaries – for example, embroidery, tooled leather, wood carving.  It will make a fitting finale to the series.

For further information see www.groamhouse.org.uk

George Bain and the Celtic Art Revival, Groam House Museum, Rosemarkie, 22 April – 4 December 2011

IONA illuminated, 100 Years of Celtic Art:

George Bain & Alexander Ritchie, Iona Abbey, Aosdana Gallery, Iona Heritage Centre, 9 July – 22 October 2011

George Bain Master of Celtic Art, Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh, 15 October 2011 – 16 March 2012

George Bain and the Celtic Knot, Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow (tbc), 20 January – 6 February 2012

George Bain Master of Celtic Crafts, an talla solais, Ullapool, 16 March – 16 April 2012

Groam House Museum’s final lecture of the year is on 6 October:

Source: E. Mairi MacArthur, External Curator, IONA Illuminated