Canadian Art Exhibition Opens at Drumnadrochit
Landscapes of Nova Scotia and Cape Breton feature mainly in the exhibition by renowned artist Anna Syperek. Anne Duncan, a friend of the artist will open the exhibition at a reception this evening.
With heavy emphasis upon the Caledonian aspects of Nova Scotia, Syperek demonstrates what this new country says about its parent country of Scotland. The spiritual links and topographical similarities between Scotland and Canada are recurrent themes, giving it special relevance in the Highlands.
Anna Syperek said: "I began to paint the landscape of Antgonish County when I first moved here 34 years ago. My husband Peter Murphy (SeaBright Productions), had grown up there and we spent a lot of time driving around about the back roads painting and taking photos.
"We started going to dances and festivals absorbing the culture and music of eastern mainland Nova Scotia and Cape Breton. During this time, I gradually came to realise that my love for this particular landscape is greatly influenced by the meaning that is invested in it by its inhabitants. The Gaelic speaking settlers of this area have a strong emotional connection to place, the land they were forced from, and gradually, the new land they settled.
"Their songs, poems and even the titles of their fiddle tunes are full of visual images and haunting melodies that express their attachment to their homes and farms and settlements that they created. I came to love the traditional music and dancing... to enjoy and admire the subtleties of personality and the wonderful sense of humour that seems integral to living in this part of the world. The images in all the new Scotland are inspired by this spirit.
"Old New Scotland was partly inspired by a friend, Anne Duncan (an exchange teacher from Inverness, Scotland), who thought that I should have a show in Scotland, showing some of the areas connected to the Highland Clearances. Then Dr Dan MacInnes suggested that there was a narrative connecting these works which he offered to write both in the introduction and beneath each image. When I read Joyce Rankin’s moving book of poetry, "At My Mothers Door", I felt that many of her poetic (written) images connected with my paintings. Fortunately, Joyce agreed to allow me to include excerpts from the book in the exhibition. The idea expanded and became a transatlantic travelling exhibition."
Entry to the exhibition is free from Tuesday 13th December. The Library, Craigmonie Centre is open on: Mondays from 2-5pm; Tuesdays from 9am-1pm and 6-8pm; Wednesdays from 2-5pm and 6-8pm; Thursdays from 3.30pm- 8.00pm; Fridays from 9am-1pm; and Saturdays from 10am-1.00pm.
For further information please contact: Christine Matheson Glenurquhart Community Library and Learning Centre, Glen Urquhart High School, Drumnadrochit IV3 6UG tel: (01456) 459223