What's ON

Much-loved art from Fife collection helps museum make its mark

4 July 2022

Paintings from Fife’s distinguished public art collection are to be showcased in an exhibition that breaks new ground for an award-winning museum.

Works by the ever-popular Glasgow Boys will be shown at Biggar & Upper Clydesdale Museum – the first time the venue has presented an exhibition of nationally renowned artists.

Ten paintings by the Glasgow collective – who represent the beginnings of modernism in Scottish painting – will feature in the show, which runs from 8 July to 25 September.

All of the works are being loaned from the paintings managed by cultural charity OnFife, which has more than 40 paintings by the Glasgow Boys in its collection.

Most of these were exhibited in The Glasgow Boys – A Spirit of Rebellion, which proved popular with audiences at St Andrews, Kirkcaldy and Dunfermline between 2016 and 2018.

OnFife Curator Jane Freel says the charity wants to make its collection widely accessible: “With such a large collection, we can’t display everything in our museums and galleries, so it’s fantastic to be able to loan paintings to another museum so they can be seen by a wider audience.”

OnFife manages cultural services on behalf of Fife Council and is responsible for more than 100,000 artefacts of local, national and international significance, which includes around 2000 works of art.

Biggar Museum bosses say they are delighted local residents can see work by key artists without leaving town. They hope the show will draw visitors to Biggar and widen the museum’s appeal.

Biggar Museum’s Manager/Curator, Elaine Edwards says: “It has been wonderful collaborating with OnFife to secure the loan. It is a very exciting time for the museum and we are thrilled to be able to bring these truly stunning pieces of artwork to Biggar for all to enjoy.”

Ends

For further information contact Sheona Small, press officer, 07809 727 989 or email sheona.small@onfife.com

Notes to editors: OnFife is a registered charity and manages and operates theatres, libraries, museums and galleries and cultural partnerships on behalf of Fife Council for people living, working and visiting Fife. Further information can be found at www.onfife.com

Keep in touch and up to date with all things cultural in Fife and beyond at:

Twitter: @onfife @onfifelibraries @onfifemuseums

Facebook:

www.facebook.com/onfife/

www.facebook.com/onfifelibraries/

www.facebook.com/ONatDCLG/

www.facebook.com/kirkcaldygalleries/

www.facebook.com/onfifearchives/

Online review: www.onreview.co.uk

Website: www.onfife.com