Nov 242011
 

Deliberately resisting the attraction of the undoubtedly arcane and twisted plots of this year’s Broons annual, David Innes evaluates Maggie Craig’s take on exciting revolutionary times on Clydeside a century ago.

When Lenin appointed John MacLean, perhaps Red Clydeside’s most-revered socialist son, Soviet Consul for Scotland in 1918, the reputation of Glasgow and its industrial satellite towns as the most likely crucible of any UK workers’ revolution was sealed.

In the aftermath of Bloody Friday in January 1919, the militia, backed up by tanks was in George Square, the Riot Act had been read to an assembly of tens of thousands of working people and Scotland’s own socialist revolution seemed inevitable.

When The Clyde Ran Red faithfully documents these tumultuous events which took place in what must have been life-enhancing times, but Maggie Craig achieves much more than re-documenting tales and phenomena well-known to historians and socialists.

In what might be regarded as a primer for the more in-depth and heavy duty histories and biographies listed in her book’s bibliography, she chronicles forty years of the people’s history through the experiences of those closely involved and those affected by events which showed that change was possible if the determination of the people was present and stout, resolute leadership given.

Not only are the iconic heroes of the struggle – Maxton, Muirhead, Kirkwood, Shinwell, Johnston and others – celebrated for their unstinting efforts as leaders in the battle for liberty, equality and fraternity, the lesser-known local heroes of rent strikes and trade disputes are also lauded. The little victories against oppression and exploitation, the author illustrates, are just as vital in changing lives as headline-grabbing larger scale changes.

There is obvious pride in her own Clydeside roots as Craig relates the day-to-day realities of struggles, defeats and wins for working people, describing the Singer dispute, the building, moth-balling and eventual launch of Cunard’s Queen Mary and the Nazis’ terrifying and murderous Clydebank Blitz in 1941.

Whilst these histories are well-known, the author brings new life to their re-telling from the perspective of residents, citizens and workers directly involved and affected.

Craig’s previous form as a novelist, with seven previous publications in this genre, is obvious and welcome as When The Clyde Ran Red is an immensely-readable social history of headily-exciting times and fiery, determined human spirit.

When The Clyde Ran Red
Maggie Craig
Mainstream Publishing
http://www.rbooks.co.uk/product.aspx?id=1845967356

Jul 152011
 

With thanks to Kylie Roux.

Upcoming Exhibitions:

Migrate, Replicate // Natalie McIlroy
Preview Friday 15 July | 6 – 8pm | all welcome!  

Natalie McIlroy presents Migrate, Replicate, combining large-scale video projections of Scottish landscapes, ephemeral architectural interventions and an intriguing soundscape of the Pied Butcherbird.
Exhibition runs 16 – 30 July 2011    

Drawing Connections // Hannah Redpath
Preview Friday 15 July, 6 – 8pm, all welcome! 
 

A new series of prints by Hannah Redpath produced during a one-year residency in the printmaking department at Gray’s School of Art. Exhibition runs 16 – 30 July 2011

EAF – Katri Walker // North-West
Opening Saturday 6 August | 3 – 6pm | Old Ambulance Depot, 77 Brunswick Street Edinburgh

As part of the Edinburgh Art Festival 2011, Peacock Visual Arts presents North West by Katri Walker. First exhibited at Peacock in March 2011, the audio-visual installation explores Scotland’s historic and contemporary relationship with Wild West visual culture.
Opening Saturday 6th August, 3-6pm with a BBQ & live performances by experimental musician Wounded Knee.
Exhibition runs 7 August – 4 September 2011,   Tue – Sun, 12 – 6pm.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED for NORTH WEST at the Edinburgh Art Festival
Peacock is seeking enthusiastic and friendly volunteers to join us for the Edinburgh Art Festival where we will be presenting North West by Katri Walker in the Old Ambulance Depot (just off Leith Walk). You will be an integral part of the festival team responsible for invigilation of the exhibition and general gallery duties.
All applicants are asked to work a minimum of six hours per week and must be able to commit to volunteering with us for the duration of the festival, 6 Aug – 4 Sep 2011.
Please note, all volunteer posts are unpaid. To find out more and how to apply please contact Angela Lennon on 01224 639539 or email: angela@peacockvisualarts.co.uk
Deadline for application is Friday 29th July 2011.

 

Events:

Hurricane Lamb at Duff House
Ongoing until  31 October at Duff House, Banff.

Hurricane Lamb is a collaborative project from Gray’s School of Art (RGU) and Peacock Visual Arts. Inspired by Duff House and its history, the exhibition features new work by Michael Agnew, Andrew Cranston, David McCracken, Georgia Russell, Lennox Dunbar, Paul Housley, and Donald Urquhart.
Exhibition runs until 31 October 2011  

Peacock At The Aberdeen Art Fair
13 + 14 August | 10 – 4pm | AberdeenMusic Hall

 Peacock is partaking in the inaugural year of the Aberdeen Art Fair – which promises to become an annual showcase event for the Scottish arts scene.

Exhibiting work by renowned artists including Frances Walker, Toby Paterson, John McLean, James Furneaux and Barbara Rae and a selection of handprinted posters from the Peacock archive – there’s sure to be something for everyone’s taste and budget!

Get Creative:

Collagraph Weekend Workshop
23 + 24 July| 10 – 4.30pm | £130/95 conc.

An exciting introduction to the printmaking process of Collography. Using thick card as a base, textures are glued to the block to build up and create an image before inking it up and then printing it using the etching press.
Call 01224 639539 for more information or to book a place.

Peacock VIsual Arts – Summer Animation Classes
July  20, 27 + October 12, 19 | 10 – 4pm | age 10+ | £35/session

Ever wondered how Wallace and Gromit move? Or what makes Pingu go?
Well this summer we’re planning some animation workshops to show you just that! Each class is £35 and a one off – but if you’re keen to keep coming back, you’re more than welcome to book on as many as you like!

Call 01224 639539 for more information or to book a place.

Peacock VIsual Arts – Monster Making Fun // Kids Screenprinting
2 + 9 August| 10 – 4pm | age 8 – 12 | £35/class

Get your little monsters to create their own little monster!
We’ll spend the morning drawing all the different body parts of a monster before learning how to transform them into colourful screenprints.
We’ll then use all the different parts to build lots of  monster designs…scary monster, happy monsters, mad monsters – whatever you decide!
Call 01224 639539 for more information or to book a place.

Screenprinting Weekend Workshop
20 + 21 August | 10 – 4.30pm | £130/95 conc.

Explore the creative possibilities of this colourful, graphic and immediate approach to making repeat prints. No experience necessary – just a few images and a bit of creativity.
Call 01224 639539 for more information or to book a place.


Peacock Visual Arts
21 Castle Street
Aberdeen
AB11 5BQ
Tel: 01224 639539
Mob: 07947 490626

 

Jun 182011
 

With thanks to Kylie Roux.

Peacock VIsual Arts – CRA/CKED // Bill Thompson

New works by Bill Thompson exploring cracked aesthetics with broken technology, data bending and transliteration in sound and video. Exhibition runs 14 May – 25 June.
Exhibition Ongoing until 25 June 2011, Open Tue – Sat, 9.30 – 5.30pm.

Upcoming exhibition: EAF – Katri Walker // North-West
Opening Saturday 6 August | 3 – 6pm | Old Ambulance Depot, 77 Brunswick Street Edinburgh

As part of the Edinburgh Art Festival 2011, Peacock Visual Arts presents North West by Katri Walker. First exhibited at Peacock in March 2011, the audio-visual installation explores Scotland’s historic and contemporary relationship with Wild West visual culture.
Opening Saturday 6th August, 3-6pm with a BBQ & live performances by experimental musician Wounded Knee.
Exhibition runs 7 August – 4 September 2011

Peacock VIsual Arts – Gig in the Gallery
Saturday 25 June | 8pm | £6 on the door

Interesting Music Promotions (imp) and Vocoustics present No More Soundchecks – the latest in a series of unplugged shows. WOODPIGEON, EAGLEOWL and ROB ST JOHN will be performing in PVA’s intimate gallery.

Peacock At The Aberdeen Art Fair
13 + 14 August | 10 – 4pm | AberdeenMusic Hall

 Peacock is partaking in the inaugural year of the Aberdeen Art Fair – which promises to become an annual showcase event for the Scottish arts scene.

Exhibiting work by renowned artists including Frances Walker, Toby Paterson, John McLean, James Furneaux and Barbara Rae and a selection of handprinted posters from the Peacock archive – there’s sure to be something for everyone’s taste and budget!

Peacock VIsual Arts – International Summer School // Beyond Monotype
4 – 8 July | 10 – 4pm | £400

Only a couple of places left in this week long course that will teach you a wide range of techniques possible in the monotype process, expanded through the use of collage, drawing, and multiple plate projects. With an energetic and open approach, each participant’s individual style will help to dictate the direction of the workshop.

For more information and to book a place, please contact Angie Aitchison on a.aitchison3@rgu.ac.uk
or call 01224 263600.

Peacock VIsual Arts – Summer Animation Classes
July 6, 13, 20, 27 + October 12, 19 | 10 – 4pm | age 10+ | £35/session

Ever wondered how Wallace and Gromit move? Or what makes Pingu go?

Well this summer we’re planning some animation workshops to show you just that! Each class is £35 and a one off – but if you’re keen to keep coming back, you’re more than welcome to book on as many as you like!

Call 01224 639539 for more information or to book.

Peacock VIsual Arts – Monster Making Fun // Kids Screenprinting
2 + 9 August| 10 – 4pm | age 8 – 12 | £35/class

Get your little monsters to create their own little monster!

We’ll spend the morning drawing all the different body parts of a monster before learning how to transform them into colourful screenprints.

We’ll then use all the different parts to build lots of  monster designs…scary monster, happy monsters, mad monsters – whatever you decide!
Call 01224 639539 for more info and to book a place.


Peacock Visual Arts
21 Castle Street
Aberdeen
AB11 5BQ
Tel: 01224 639539
Mob: 07947 490626