Download a PDF of the exhibition catalogue - The Scottish Gallery

Foreword
50 years have now passed since the death of Joan Eardley in August 1963.
In one important sense her light, that burned so brightly, is still bright
today; her work seems as urgent, honest and enthralling as when it was
made. She would have been little concerned with her artistic legacy being a
person entirely caught up with the drama and tribulation of the process of
making art. It was the process that truly mattered; sometimes her drawings
were given to the children who thronged through her Townhead studio, to
be later used to light a fire in the paternal hearth, or discarded paintings
on board used to lag the loft space of her Catterline cottage. But she was a
passionate, driven painter who worked tirelessly, no doubt to the cost of her
health; the next picture was the only one that mattered. These character
traits were not at the cost of humanity; indeed her work could not have
been made without a deep sympathy for her subject and the wider human
condition. Family, friends, collectors and professionals within the art world
would have helped keep her flame alive and ensure that many more can
discover her genius.
This exhibition, which complements a new publication by Christopher
Andreae, celebrates Joan Eardley. There are works from Townhead to
Catterline and from studies abroad in France and Italy.
We are delighted to have London’s Portland Gallery as our partner in this
exhibition. For the last thirty years The Portland has championed the work
of 20th century and contemporary Scottish artists so is the natural venue
for the London showing of this exhibition.
Both The Scottish Gallery and Portland Gallery would particularly like
to thank Christopher Andreae, Joan Eardley’s family and James Morrison.
GUY PEPLOE
Director, The Scottish Gallery
Joan Eardley painting in Catterline. Photograph by Audrey Walker
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