A “SMALL museum” is hoping to have an outsized impact as Scottish artists David and Robert Mach hold their first joint exhibition .
To mark its 150th anniversary, the Stirling Smith Art Gallery and Museum are running the Fife-born brothers’ collaborative exhibition until April 7.
The exhibition, named MACH2, has a heavy pop art influence, with colourful sculptures, vases and portraits to explore – and makes use of everyday objects.
“We are really excited, as a small museum, to have these renowned artists, and also to have very colourful art in January when people are still in hibernation,” exhibition and events officer Dr Heather Carroll said.
Previous Turner prize nominee David Mach is a highly respected and successful artist within the UK. He has created a variety of artworks using colour-headed pins, which range from small pieces using a couple of hundred pins, to large pieces constructed from thousands.
This is the first time these pieces will be shown in Scotland – and as a complete body of work – after being featured in exhibitions in London, New York and Hong Kong.
David said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have the chance to show the different pin works together and especially to have the opportunity to bring them to Scotland and The Smith.”
Robert previously held an exhibition at The Smith in 2021 called the Perfect Foil. It saw the artist using foil sweet wrappers. He has continued to use this material for the new exhibition, with a focus on art history icons.
“The Smith welcomes broad exploration, and my intention is to make the best use of the freedom the gallery encourages,” he added.
For more than 40 years, Robert has been helping his brother with his work, but for the past decade he has increasingly concentrated on his own art.
The first joint piece the brothers worked on was called The Easy Tiger, which has become a permanent piece in The Smith collection.
The brothers initially wanted to create a show in Stirling during its bid to be the UK’s city of culture. Even though Stirling missed out, they were still keen to pursue a show together at The Smith.
“The Smith is a great Victorian gallery and museum with amazing content and a friendly, family-like staff,” Robert said.
“It suffers from the general underfunding of public art spaces across the country, and its potential is much greater than its staff are able to realise.”
MACH2 will feature works co-produced by the brothers, especially made for The Smith.
These works are created from reuse of older works and materials. One of David’s earlier prints will be repurposed by adding new foil details, and two large vases were created from previously unused forms.
Robert added: “We were raised at a time when economy was a necessary part of life and the reuse, repair and repurposing of old things was common practice.
“I’m delighted to be doing a show with David, though it doesn’t feel odd, it’s just a normal extension of our long-term work relationship.
“David is massively enthusiastic about the creation of work in a way I know I’m not, and I’ve always been dragged along by his enthusiasm.”
The director of The Smith, Caroline Mathers, said: “David and Robert Mach have a long history with The Smith, both exhibiting here in the past. We’re delighted to welcome them back in our 150th anniversary year with a joint exhibition.
“MACH2 will showcase many iconic pieces alongside new and exciting work. This is an opportunity for collectors to see new pieces for the first time, and we look forward to hosting these highly respected artists at what we anticipate will be a hugely popular exhibition.”
The Smith is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm, with free entry.
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