Picturing conflict: New exhibition reflects on WW1

The Capital’s City Art Centre has a poignant exhibition on the impact of the First World War on Scottish art.

Picturing Conflict – Art of the First World War will showcase works produced during the war and in its immediate aftermath, alongside images created years later through the lens of hindsight and remembrance.

The thought-provoking selection of Scottish paintings, drawings, prints and photographs drawn from the City Art Centre’s collection aims to provide visitors with a valuable insight into the events of the war and the impact on those involved. The exhibition will also feature a set of artworks from the wider collections of Edinburgh Museums and Galleries.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Edinburgh’s Convener for Culture and Sport, said:

“As Scotland pauses this weekend to remember the life-changing events of the First World War, the ‘Picturing Conflict’ exhibition at the City Art Centre will offer people a space for remembrance and reflection.

“After the war, artists were vital in depicting the people, places and experiences of the war. These works provide a valuable insight into the impact on Scottish artists, and portray those emotions and moving thoughts that are often difficult to put into words.”

Artists featured in the exhibition include Sir David Young Cameron (1865-1945) and John Lavery (1856-1941), whose reputations were already well-established at the outbreak of war, and younger artists like Eric Robertson (1887-1941) and William Johnstone (1897-1981), whose careers developed out of their wartime experiences. The work of several unknown makers is also displayed, giving voice to artistic responses from outside the established art world.

Picturing Conflict is drawn from the City Art Centre’s collection of Scottish art, supplemented by loans from the wider collections of Edinburgh Museums and Galleries. The exhibition is being staged as part of the commemorations marking the centenary of the First World War.

The temporary exhibition will be open from Saturday 8 November 2014  through to 18 January 2015.

Located in the heart of the Capital, the City Art Centre features six floors of exhibition space with permanent displays of the City’s nationally recognised collections, alongside temporary exhibitions of historic and modern photography, contemporary art and design, architecture and the built environment.

About the City Art Centre

Located in the heart of the Capital, the City Art Centre has a busy programme of exhibitions which change regularly to suit the interests of visitors. The brand new ArtSpace in the collection gallery allows visitors to get hands on with art materials and create landscapes, collages and portraits. This space is open during normal gallery opening times.

Opening times: Monday – Saturday 10am – 5pm and Sunday 12pm – 5pm.

Admission to Collection Gallery exhibitions is free, but donations are welcome.
There are admission charges in respect of some temporary exhibitions; see the relevant exhibition page for details.

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