Context: The Royal Scottish Academy and The Maclaurin Collection
Join the Maclaurin Art Gallery in Ayr as it celebrates the magnificent artworks in the permanent Maclaurin Trust Collection, made by Royal Scottish Academy artists - by displaying additional exhibits from the same artists, loaned from the RSA Collections.
The Maclaurin Collection, held by The Maclaurin Trust, came into being as the result of a bequest made by Mrs Mary Ellen Maclaurin in memory of her husband James Henry Maclaurin. A purchasing committee was formed, and this group took the bold decision to collect what was then called ’Modern Art.’
Throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s, advised by national bodies, around 250 artworks were purchased by the Maclaurin Trust, and these form the nucleus of the collection today. Within this body of work there are many by Royal Scottish Academicians.
The work of 10 Academicians from the Maclaurin Collection will be shown alongside 10 works on loan from the RSA as part of RSA200 Celebrating Together. The concept is to highlight the relationship between national and local collections, to set what may sometimes be seen by the public as isolated works in a wider context. The original purchasing committee were bold in their choices, and this is an opportunity to make that link.
The exhibition will also include work by Bronwen Sleigh, an Academician Elect, as our Guest Artist.
Open: Mon-Sat 10am—5pm, Sun 12pm-5pm
