Easy Tiger by David and Robert Mach. Image: Royal Academy of Arts/David Parry.
Anns an t-siathamh linn deug, chuir an Rìgh, Seumus VI, Na Daoine-Uasal Deuchainneach à Fìobh air falbh gu Eilean Leòdhais, nam brosnachadh a bhith a’ marbhadh, a’ ciorramachadh, a’ togail teine no dòigh sam bith a tha feumail, airson an sluagh ionadail a chur fo rian.
A-nis, tha iad air ais. Ach an uair seo ’s ann leis an ealain aca.
Tha na bràithrean Daibhidh agus Raibeart Mach air a thighinn à Fìobh bhon Ear le taisbeanadh den obair a rinn iad còmhla agus air leth a’ cleachdadh stuthan àbhaisteach, mar innealan-crochaidh chòtaichean airson cruthachadh deilbheadh a tha iongantach is eireachdail.
Tha Daibhidh a tha na bhall den Acadamaidh Rioghail le ainm eadar-nàiseanta airson a bhith a’ cruthachadh obraichean poballach a-mach à stuthan àbhaisteach, buan is neo-bhuan, air feadh an t-saoghail. Bha an obair mu dheireadh a rinn e aig Fèis Baile na Gailbhinn far an do thog e bothan làn-mheud, air a lathadh ann an teas-mheadhan spreidheadh.
Tha e ainmeil cuideachd airson an taghadh mòr de dhealbhan a tha aige eadar feadhainn mhòra, meud meatair, a lìonas rùm, gu sgeidsean beag-bìodach.
An dèidh a bhith ag obair dha bhràthair airson dà-fhichead bliadhna tha Raibeart air a bhith a’ cur fòcas air an obair aige fhèin thairis air an deichead a chaidh seachad. Air aithneachadh airson an obair aige a’ cleachdadh pasgadh suiteis, gu h-àraid ‘Tunnock’s Teacakes’, tha e a’ feuchainn ri bhith a’ rannsachadh stuth bhon t-saoghal àbhaisteach anns a bheil a’ mhòr chuid againn a’ tàmh gach là.
Tha an dithis cuideachd air cruthachdadh obair ùr airson a’ chiad turas dhan Lanntair, ann an dòchas nach ruig iad crìoch cho brùideal ri na Deuchainneach à Fìobh.
The Gentleman Adventurers of Fife.
In the 16th Century King James VI despatched the Gentleman Adventurers of Fife to the Isle of Lewis, encouraging them to employ ‘slaughter, mutilation, fire-raising, or any means necessary’ to civilise the local population.
Now they’re back. This time with their art.
Brothers David and Robert Mach arrive from East Fife with a show of their collaborative and individual works using commonplace materials such as the humble coat hanger to create intriguing and beautiful sculpture.
David, a Royal Academician has an international reputation for creating huge permanent and temporary public works across the globe. His latest work at this summer’s Galway Festival saw him produce a full-sized cottage, frozen in mid explosion.
He is also celebrated for his vast array of highly detailed collages from huge metre long room fillers to tiny hand sized ‘sketches’.
Having worked for his brother for over 40 years Robert has focussed more and more on his own work over the last decade. Best known for his works utilising common confectionery foil, particularly the iconic Tunnock’s Teacake wrapper, he endeavours to explore ‘stuff’ from the ordinary world most of us inhabit daily.
The pair have also created new works for their first visit to at An Lanntair and hopefully they’ll meet with a less violent end than the previous ‘Gentleman Adventurers of Fife.’