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Top London art exhibition on show at Old Town House

Enlightenment - the library paintings of Hugh Buchanan is the new exhibition at the Old Town House from 20 March - 30 May 2009, open Mon-Sat 9am - 5pm, admission free.

This acclaimed exhibition of large watercolour paintings evokes the great libraries of Scotland and beyond, and comes to the elegantly-restored 18th century Town House on the University of Aberdeen campus direct from the Francis Kyle Gallery in Maddox Street, London, where it was voted London's top exhibition this winter by The Times.

The Divinity Library of King's College

The Aberdeen exhibition also features a number of completely new works by the Edinburgh-based artist Hugh Buchanan, described as arguably the greatest watercolour painter working in Britain today. The new Scottish works include an atmospheric depiction of the gothic bookcases of the Divinity Library of King's College.

Describing his delight at unveiling his new Scottish works in Aberdeen, Hugh Buchanan said: "It is appropriate that Scotland, being the birth place of the Enlightenment, should have some of the largest and most elaborate libraries. But that in itself presents challenges. How best to describe these huge spaces? While working in many of them, I have chosen to reject the general in favour of the specific, searching for the telling details that best evoke the spirit of place - and so it is by the buckram bindings, the electric sockets, the scuffed floorboards and the triangles of light that I have chosen to describe them."

The Playfair Library, Edinburgh

Professor Christopher Gane, Vice Principal for Culture and Communities at the University of Aberdeen, expressed the University's delight in hosting the acclaimed exhibition with new works of special relevance - and at a particularly appropriate time - saying:

"We are delighted to host these impressive artworks to our venue, and to offer these extraordinary depictions of great libraries to art lovers across northeast Scotland and beyond. The atmosphere and spirit evoked by great libraries have a special resonance for us as we embark on construction of the new University library.

"The ice and light of the north, which this dramatic building is designed to evoke, will touch visitors throughout our communities, who will be welcomed in to enjoy new exhibitions and educational opportunities showcasing the University's treasures from over five hundred years of collecting."

 

Georgian Christmas Experience

Festive fun for youngsters!

Free festive fun was offered up at the recent action packed children’s sessions being organised by the University of Aberdeen for this weekend.

The Georgian Christmas Children's Event featured Doric songs and story telling, arts and crafts and a look at some of the animals associated with this time of year.

The 4 sessions, for children aged between six and ten, took place over the weekend with with Les Wheeler, from the University's Elphinstone Institute, providing the festive Doric entertainment.

The children were also treated to a session with Mandy Tulloch from the University's Natural History Centre, who talked about animals like robins and reindeer and helped children make an angel for the tree.  The children also made some festive food to take home for the birds around their home.

Spiders, spells and spooky stories

Children aged 6-10 years old enjoyed a spell binding Halloween at the Old Town House with sensational storytelling and chill binding tunes from Sheena Blackhall.  Another of the activities involved scuttling spiders to terrifying toads, slithering snakes and bloodcurdling bats courtesy of the University of Aberdeen’s Natural History Centre.

 

Old Town House open its doors

One of the University of Aberdeen’s most important buildings took part in the Aberdeen Doors Open Day (September 8). Visitors had the opportunity to explore the recently restored Old Town House - visitor gateway to the University and its medieval campus, now used by Student Recruitment.

The Old Town House currently features an exhibition featuring works by Tim Brennan on 'The North'.

 

Archive items of interest

Read the Background on the Old Townhouse
Work begins on the famous Old Aberdeen landmark

£250,000 Heritage Lottery Fund awarded to Town House

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Events

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Past events have included:
Free Christmas Kids Events At The Old Town House.

Barbara Rae Exhibition throughout the Old Town House.

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