A PAINTING by LS Lowry that seems apt for socially distanced times has been included in a new online art exhibition.
The picture, An Old Street, painted in 1937, features in the Art-tastic exhibition, which has begun its virtual run at St Andrews Museum in Fife.
While the artist is known for his industrial landscapes and scenes with matchstick-like figures, the people in the painting keep their distance from each other.
It was originally part of the collection belonging to Kirkcaldy linen manufacturer J W Blyth, the maternal grandfather of journalist and broadcaster Michael Portillo.
Exhibition curator Lesley Lettice said: “Lowry’s industrial landscapes are often filled by people in close contact with one another – be it at sports events, in chip shop queues or heading home after a hard day’s work.
“An Old Street, by contrast, has only 11 figures, who, apart from what looks like two parents with their children, appear reluctant to get too close. It all seems very contemporary.”
The bulk of the Blyth Collection was bought by Kirkcaldy Town Council in the 1963. An Old Street is now part of the collection managed by OnFife (Fife Cultural Trust), and is one of only seven works by Lowry to be held in Scotland’s public collections.
Portillo said that art was his grandfather’s “passion”, and recalled visiting his Fife home, which was full of “heavy gilded frames”. The former MP said: “As a child, I had a terror of passing beneath them on my way to bed, in case one fell and crushed me.”
Other works on show as part of the Art-tastic exhibition include paintings by the renowned 20th century artist Sir William MacTaggart, arts and crafts painter John Duncan, as well as paintings of local scenes, such as Kilconquhar loch, Crail harbour, and the Isle of May.
Those logging on to view the artworks are being asked to create stories and verse inspired by the paintings.
More details about the exhibition can be found at bit.ly/2LALMr7.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel