Marchmont House Welcomes Some of Scotland’s Finest Artists and Craftspeople

Jul 24, 2019

Marchmont House Welcomes Some of Scotland’s Finest Artists and Craftspeople

Eighteen artists and makers are taking part in the first of a new series of events at the magnificent Marchmont House promoting Scottish creativity.

Conversations in Wood @ Marchmont House, from 3-5 August, features leading names in contemporary wood making who are contributing to a display of works, talks, films and dialogue. 

Among them are Borders based Charles Poulsen as well as Adrian McCurdy whose works already feature in the permanent collection at the stately home.  

David Nash, who has a lifetime retrospective of his work on in Cardiff and work at Marchmont, has also just confirmed that he is able to come too – showing an updated film on his river boulder art project and giving a talk on what wood means to him and joining the conversation. There will also be a film preview on Sebastian Cox, the acclaimed maker, who is making waves with his environmentally friendly experimental works. 

The weekend of events take place at the recently restored Marchmont House and is part of a year-long series made possible thanks to a partnership with Edinburgh-based UK fine art auctioneers Lyon & Turnbull.

Marchmont’s director Hugo Burge, hopes the mid 18th-century Palladian mansion near Greenlaw, to be a centre for celebrating makers and creators. 

He said: “We are really looking forward to welcoming visitors to Marchmont House to meet, and see work created by, some of the very best in contemporary wood makers today – including local hidden talents of the calibre of Charles Poulsen to figures with an international reputation like David Nash, Eleanor Lakelin and Sebastian Cox. 

“Wood is such an amazing material and source of inspiration for a diverse range of artists that it gives us a plentiful canvas for inspiration, discussion and learning. This partnership with Lyon & Turnbull, and the support of our other partners, will help us to do that.   

“I believe that it’s hugely important to promote creativity in Scotland as a way of celebrating our artistic achievements and in order to create an environment in which our artists and makers can thrive in years to come.”

Among those contributing to conversations in wood are Andrew Mackenzie, David Nash, Sebastian Cox, Charlie Poulsen, Lawrence Neal, Lucilla Sim, Thomas Hawson, Isabelle Moore, Angus Richardson, Anthony Bryant, Roland Fraser, Beth Legg, Naomi Mcintosh, Angus Ross, Eleanor Lakelin, Jim Partridge & Liz Walmsley, Edward Teasdale and Adrian McCurdy.

At the heart of theevent, which is also in collaboration with Visual Arts Scotland, The Scottish Gallery and Craft Scotland, is an exhibition showcasing contemporary makers using wood within their creative practice from across The Scottish Borders, Scotland and beyond.

Eight artists and makers will give talksabout their relationships with the wood they sculpt, carve and shape.There will also be films that highlight special journeys associated with making in wood.

John Mackie, Director of Lyon & Turnbull, said: “We are really looking forward to working with Hugo and the Marchmont House team on this project to promote the very best in Scottish creativity. Marchmont is rapidly emerging as a focal point for makers and creators and we are delighted to be supporting this series of events.”

The idea for an event that focussed on wood came from a conversation between Hugo Burge and the artist and President of Visual Arts Scotland, Andrew Mackenzie, after the successful ALIGHT exhibition at the RSA in early 2019.

Conversations in Wood coincides with an open studios open studios event, from 2-5 August, to mark Pauline Burbidge and Charlie Poulsen’s 26 years at Allanbank Mill Steading at Allanton, Duns.

Pictures by Colin Hattersley.

  • Conversations in Wood @ Marchmont House offers a day-long programme on Saturday, 3 August and shorter taster sessions on the Sunday and Monday.
  • Tickets are available at a range of prices for each event through Eventbrite (see below). 
  • More photos https://www.dropbox.com/sh/xuj8kf1cktep7o6/AAAZUaHLgCI7N4wwZTedrczPa?dl=0

– Ends –

Notes for Editors

Event Info & Tickets

The next event

On 21 September the series continues with Exploring Modern Scottish Sculpture @ Marchmont House. This will see experts, industry leaders and artists coming together to consider what Scottish Sculpture stands for; shine a light on the giants like Paolozzi, Turnbull & Laing; uncover the hidden stories; and support a new generation of talented sculptors working in Scotland today.

Supported by Lyon & Turnbull and Pangolin, it will provide an opportunity to see the extraordinary Marchmont House collection of modern sculpture from Scotland and around the United Kingdom.

About Marchmont

  • Marchmont House is an imposing ‘Grade A’ listed Palladian mansion built in 1750 and contains some of the finest Georgian and Arts & Crafts interiors in Scotland.
  • Situated at the heart of the Marchmont Estate near Greenlaw in the Scottish Borders, the house is only open to the public for a limited number of days each year, for tours and special events.
  • Following the recent completion of award-winning restoration, the goal is now to bring the house alive as ‘a Home for Makers and Creators’, celebrating innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship
  • Visit www.marchmonthouse.com for more information.

About Lyon & Turnbull 

Operating since 1826, Lyon & Turnbull are Scotland’s oldest fine art and antiques auctioneers. The company’s galleries in London and Glasgow complement the historic Georgian headquarters and main saleroom in Edinburgh. Hosting nearly 35 specialist auctions per year across the UK there is always something to see at Lyon & Turnbull: from jewellery and watches to fine furniture; traditional British and European art to Modern & Contemporary stars; European decorative arts and design to fine Asian art from China and Japan. www.lyonandturnbull.com