Article Source: Bannockburn House
First Published: 23 November 2020 12:56
Updated: 23 November 2020 12:57
Ten local artists will take over Bannockburn House to stage the historic mansion’s first ever major art installation since being bought by the community back in 2016.
Originally planned for Easter, the event by the Gossip Collective will now take place this weekend thanks in part to funding from Stirling’s Place Partnership, Scene Stirling.
A special digital premiere of ‘Transparency’, featuring a walk-through of the exhibition and interviews with the participating artists, will be aired on Saturday 28 November on Facebook.
The installation will include a range of contemporary artworks, from textile sculptures and printmaking to poetry and paintings, inspired by the 17th century mansion house.
Visual artist Lesley McDermott, who is organising and exhibiting at the event, said: “On my first visit to Bannockburn House I was struck by its amazing resilience. Despite the ravages of time, it has stood, elegant, proud and beautiful. I was moved by the sense of time, wistful memories that lingered, feelings of wonder, intrigue and respect for the lives of the people that dwelled in this building. As I walked, delighted, through each of the rooms, the surrounding interiors and ephemera held me spellbound. I invited other members of the collective to discover the house too; with each of us going on to choose part of the house as the inspiration and setting for our work.”
Lesley’s work will be displayed in the upstairs dressing room and servants’ quarters. She said: “My installations focus on creating 3D mixed media compositions. They each incorporate a variety of elements, using hanging, hand printed fabrics, positioned in relation to small sculptural pieces that explore aspects of the architectural motifs, historical references and imagined inhabitants of Bannockburn House.”
Fellow exhibiting artist Audrey McMenemy added: “I live within three miles of the house and didn't know if it's existence, until Lesley McDermott told me all about it. I quickly fell in love with the house’s grandeur, history and beautiful air of aged calm. This is reflected in the colours and textures I have used. I hope people see the spirits of those who have passed through in the floating pieces.”
Bannockburn House Trust hopes the exhibition will help highlight their restoration project to a new audience.
Events Manager for Bannockburn House, Ross Caldwell said: “With our doors still closed due to Covid-19, we’re very excited to invite visitors through the key-hole on this virtual art tour. We can’t wait to see how each artist has incorporated the house into their artwork and hope that it inspires other local creatives to get involved in our journey to return the house to its former glory.”
To view the exhibition tune into The Gossip Collective’s Facebook page on Saturday 28 November at 4pm and 7pm.
Image credit: Hugh McCusker
With schools closed to most pupils, some of Scotland's most popular visitor attractions are offering homeschooling help to parents across the country!
Runrig's sell-out farewell concerts, filmed live in front of 50,000 fans by BAFTA-winning Glasgow-based digital entertainment company, Blazing Griffin, receives its UK TV premiere on Sky Arts!
The Stroke Association in Scotland is encouraging local residents to get involved in its 'Stride for Stroke' challenge, to walk 10,000 steps a day for 120 days.
Five local artists have been awarded a Scene Stirling digital commission to help transform their creative practice.
Bonnie Bairn, Scotland's Premier Pregnancy & Family Fair is set to take place online for the first time ever, encouraging a nation of parents to #ShopLocal from the comfort of their own home.
Glasgow City Council is looking for a team of around 1000 volunteers to support the staging of this globally significant event.
The Data Lab is calling on organisations contributing towards Scotland’s reputation of being at the cutting edge of innovative technology to share their successes to mark Datafest21.
The Larder at Cornton has been set up by the team who run The Larder at Bridge of Allan and will take place every Tuesday, beginning on January 26, from 10.30am until 12.30pm.
The UK’s leading garden centre retailer, Dobbies Garden Centres, teamed up with the Stroke Association to mark Stroke Prevention Day.
Scotland's biggest staycation event, The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome & Holiday Home Show, is going online for 2021 in a free virtual event!
With over 10,000 festival passes already sold, 44 countries from around the world will be tuning in to tonight's Celtic Connections Opening Concert!
Edinburgh’s award-winning Wedgwood the Restaurant is the first restaurant in the UK to launch a ‘Burns Box’, available nationwide, to celebrate Burns Night (25th January) in lockdown.
Glasgow Philharmonia are well known for their big performances up and down the country... but for the first time ever, they have released a charity single!
Specialist charity SBH Scotland is joining forces with international superstar Fran Healy, as well as Scottish comedians Janey Godley & Fred MacAulay to host the world's biggest virtual Burns supper!
The Celtic Connections online festival will begin one week today. Across 19 days, the festival will present over 30 online performances between 15th January and 2nd February!
Brisbane Observatory, Govanhill Baths and The Ridge Foundations CIC are among the latest round of Historic Environment Support Fund recipients!
Gather the family around the TV this Christmas and join in the usual fun and frolics of a Pavilion Panto!
New winter lights have been unveiled in Stirling to create a welcoming atmosphere during the run up to Christmas and beyond.
In light of the new Tier restrictions, the Scottish company behind one of the UK's largest drive-in tours, The Parking Lot Social, has been forced to cancel all dates in Scotland for the rest of 2020.
Rapunzel, the innovative new festive film from the National Theatre of Scotland, created in a first-time partnership with Historic Environment Scotland, is set to hit screens this month!
A Scottish literature charity this week publishes an anthology of poetry that gives voice to some of Scotland's unheard groups and voices.
Nature-inspired photography competition winners announced by Loch Lomond Shores.
Launching on December 14th, ‘Adventure To Your Desktop’ is a five-day online festival bringing to life the best of Scotland, through how-tos, cook-alongs and masterclasses from Scottish talent.
Dance Base Scotland present a night of performance, movement and celebration, all filmed from their studios in Edinburgh and streamed to audiences across the world.
Associated community trusts and SPFL clubs across Scotland are bringing Christmas cheer to those that need it most this year with a new-look initiative designed to support isolated older people.
Scene Stirling, has launched its first community commission. Up to £5000 is now available to invest in arts and culture in Bannockburn, Plean, Cowie, Fallin and Throsk.
itison launch their annual Social Bite fundraiser, donate £5 to buy a meal for the homeless.
Quarriers has launched its annual Box of Hope Appeal to support homeless young people this winter.
Stirling’s Business Improvement District (BID) has launched a range of initiatives to support city traders through the Covid-19 tier restrictions and during the run up to Christmas.
Celtic Connections has announced the first list of artists who will perform as part of their digital-first festival this January!