AIR CHALL AIR A MHACHAIR: LOST ON THE MACHAIR
Deilbh ùr le / New paintings by Alastair Gordon
1 June – 6 July 2024
Main Gallery
The waters rise and the machair recedes…
Alastair Gordon’s most recent work concerns the geo-political history of landscape in his native Scotland. Informed by recent visits to Lewis & Harris these new paintings are his most ambitious yet. At first, they are paintings about painting, and reference a specific form of trompe l’oeil (deceive the eye) illusionism, called quodlibet (what you will), that proliferated in the 17th Century in Northern Europe. In this genre he paints objects to appear as ‘pinned’ or ‘taped’ in low relief. From which, questions arise about illusion, replication, and the veracity of images.
After graduating with BA Hons at Glasgow School of Art (2002) and MA from Wimbledon School of Art, London (2012), he was awarded the Departure Arts residency in east London where he went on to establish Husk Gallery. Awards for his painting include the Shoosmiths Prize (2014) and short-listings for national and international prizes. His paintings and writing feature in international art fairs and exhibitions including Tate, Bridge Projects LA and Chicago Expo and he was artist in residence for the City and Guilds of London Art School, 2022.
He lectures at universities and art schools across the UK and is course leader for the graduate residency programme at the Leith School of Art in Edinburgh. Co-founder of the Morphē Arts Trust he writes for various publications on contemporary painting and the place of faith in art. His first monograph book was published by Anomie this year.
An Lanntair is his first major solo presentation in a public institution.
View the virtual tour here