Newburgh on canvas

Mar 11 2011 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

THE work of two local art students forms an exhibition of work inspired by Highland Perthshire and Tayside in The Steeple, Newburgh, next weekend.

Highland Perthshire’s Georgina Parkins and Newburgh born and bred Andrew Lennie are both final year students at Edinburgh College of Art.

Their exhibition is a selection of their most ambitious drawing and paintings inspired by this area, and their connections to it.

Georgina (22) spent most of her childhood in Highland Perthshire where she attended Breadalbane Academy, before joining Leith School of Art in 2006.

Her work mostly draws inspiration from architecture, in particular older buildings with a sense of history. Her exhibits in Newburgh are inspired by the landscape of the North Fife town, particularly its architecture and it how it relates to its surroundings.

Andrew’s deep-rooted connections with Newburgh and its beautiful surrounding landscape are his inspirations.

He explains: “Initial research has involved repeatedly walking around the boundaries of Newburgh where I was brought up, close to family and friends.

“My walks have allowed me to reflect on my upbringing and also reflect on memories which are ingrained into the surrounding landscape. I hope together my works capture the atmosphere I experienced during these walks, and discuss the notion of belonging to a specific place.”

Andrew exhibits range from a series of graphite drawings to collections of found objects and also some collage works;

Georgina describes her style: “I am constantly clearing my paintings, by covering them in a layer of paint, or wiping away what I have worked on with a solvent cleaner. By constantly clearing, then once again building up the piece, I give my painting a past, a sort of time-line of paint.”

The free exhibition titled ‘Heretofore’ is open 9am to 5pm next Saturday and Sunday. The Steeple is in Newburgh’s High Street.