Pittenweem Arts Festival review: 'art is still at its heart'
The Pittenweem Arts Festival has grown to include a variety of performances and workshops, but art exhibitions still make up the bulk of the programme, writes Susan Mansfield
Pittenweem Arts Festival, various venues, Pittenweem ★★★★
Every summer the picturesque East Neuk town of Pittenweem is subject to a good-humoured takeover by artists from all over the country. There’s art everywhere: in the historic buildings, the primary school, the tennis club, the churches and in many people’s homes.
In its 44 years, the festival has grown to include a programme of performances and workshops, but art is still at its heart. On opening day, as the sun (mostly) shone, hundreds of visitors meandered the narrow streets and steep wynds, programme in hand, enjoying exhibitions of painting, printmaking, jewellery, textiles, furniture, ceramics and more by nearly 200 artists.
Every year, a few “invited artists” present work a little outside the festival norm, such as puppet maker Ella Mackay, whose Uncanny Theatre of Objects include commissions made for theatre companies, and others she performs with herself. Around the centrepiece of a giant cat, there are dogs, a crab, an otter and many more. Even stationary, they are full of life, regarding the viewer with their expressive, watchful eyes, as if just waiting to move.
In the Gyles Community Centre by the harbour, Morvern Graham has created a magical installation of branches strung with stones, shells and sea-glass, expanding her practice as illustrator, printmaker and storyteller. Prints and snatches of story from Scottish and Scandinavian folklore weave through the space, and she will also offer storytelling sessions.
The recipient of this year’s Henderson Inglis Bursary Award for an emerging artist is Yimou Huang, who makes ambitious large-scale works with ceramics drawing on ideas of Taoism and Ecofeminism. From large sculptural pieces exploring the micro structures of plants to work made by wrapping balloons in clay, he experiments with a broad range of ideas and methods.
There were so many strong submissions for the bursary that the festival decided to give the nine other shortlisted artists their own show at the Old Town Hall. These include Laurie Lindow, whose meticulous remaking of everyday objects in ceramics, from a paintbrush to a tube of toothpaste, continues to be delightful, Vicki Scaife, who makes outstanding figurative drawings, Mia Vidman, who makes impressive hangings using driftwood, textiles and seaweed, and Karen Brown whose paintings explore constructivism and family history.
A weathered strip of copper from the Manx Beauty – the historic Cellardyke-built fishing boat which is the focus of a four-year heritage project in the town just granted National Lottery funding – has inspired the work in Weathered: Manx Beauty. A beautiful print and soundscape by the project’s artist-in-residence Kirstie Behrens are presented alongside kinetic sculptures by her brother David Behrens and work by photographer Karen Vaughan, sculptor Jennifer Black, ceramicist Wayne Galloway and glass artist Keny Drew among others.
The discovery of the day for me was an exhibition of the work of master printmaker Willie Rodger, mounted by his family. Rodger, who died in 2018, had a particular preference for linocut and it was a joy to see a broad range of his prints – and a few paintings and drawings – including his wonderful designs for Scottish historic playing cards featuring real kings and queens (the jokers are Adam Smith and John Knox). His work combines clarity of line, masterful observation and a liberal helping of wry humour.
Elsewhere, the inspiration of the East Neuk itself is much in evidence: Allan Black’s paintings of Pittenweem harbour, Gill Smith’s still lifes with views across the Firth of Forth, and many artists making expressive seascapes. Liz Myhill’s painting of cliffs and seabird colonies on the Isle of May are full of movement and weather, and the island is also an important place for wildlife artist Derek Roberston, whose excellent work is in his regular spot at the local library.
A mixed exhibition in the loft of the Fishmarket, supported by Creative Scotland, accommodates artists who don’t have a solo space. I particularly enjoyed photography by David More, Suzanne Forrest-Signh and Allan Donaldson, and paintings by Gillian Melville, Hazel Grant and Stuart Roxburgh.
The Pittenweem Arts Festival runs until 8 August
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