'Inspired' opens at Mitchell Library
- Inspired Set to Be One of the Key Events of the Homecoming Scotland 2009 Celebrations.
- The Mitchell Home to the Largest Permanent Burns Collection in the World
Inspired, a new contemporary art exhibition celebrating the life and works of Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet, will open in the magnificent setting of The Mitchell Library in Glasgow, Scotland, on Saturday (4 April) as part of the Homecoming Scotland 2009 celebrations.
The Mitchell Library is also home to the largest collection of Burns items in the world including the manuscript, written in his own hand, for “Auld Lang Syne” and just one of six remaining originals in the world.
Inspired will bring together almost 50 prominent artists, many of whom have never exhibited together before, and some who have never exhibited in the UK.
The contemporary works, which are largely new and unseen, are interpretations of a variety of aspects of the life and work of Robert Burns. The artists represent many different cultures and the exhibition will play an important part in the Homecoming Scotland celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns.
Artists from all over the world have agreed to take part in Inspired, which features contributions from Tracey Emin who has provided a sketch; David Begbie who has created a steel panel with a portrait of the poet; while Glasgow artist Peter Howson has painted Burns as he has never been seen before.
They are joined by – among others - The Chapman Brothers, Calum Colvin, Douglas Gordon, Ed Ruscha, Tom Gallant, Holly Johnson, Mikhail Magaril and Masakatsu Kondo.
The art works will be displayed alongside important relics from the life of Robert Burns from The Mitchell’s own collection as well as other selected artefacts associated with The Bard. One such exhibit will be the ‘Auld Alloway Clootie Horn’, which has not been shown in public since 1896, and is reputed to have been an inspiration for Burns’ epic poem Tam O’Shanter.
Bailie Liz Cameron, Chair of Culture & Sport Glasgow and Vice-Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: ”This exciting exhibition is likely to be one of the most talked about events during Homecoming Scotland 2009. The line-up features some of the best known contemporary artists in the world and it will be fascinating to see how the life and works of Burns influence these works. The new pieces will be displayed alongside some relics linked to Burns, which are sure to fire the imagination of visitors still further.”
Scott Taylor, Chief Executive of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, added: "We are delighted to have Inspired, one of the flagship exhibitions for Homecoming 2009, here in Glasgow. The Mitchell Library, with its unique Burns Collection, is a natural home for the show and we have been promoting this strong proposition both in London and overseas for many, many months now."
Sheilagh Tennant, Curator of Inspired, said, “I'm very excited by the many different ways in which the artists have interpreted Burns. The works are very thought provoking and perfectly convey how his words still resonate. We can see how relevant his poetry is to many aspects of contemporary life including topical issues within the worlds of banking and politics. These individual interpretations come in many guises – there will be a small intimate drawing by Tracey Emin, a portrait of Burns in silver leaf, a cutting edge installation incorporating sculpture and film as well as (more unexpectedly perhaps) a gravestone.”
Inspired is sponsored by City Refrigeration and has been funded by Homecoming Scotland 2009, Glasgow: Scotland with style and Culture and Sport Glasgow.
The exhibition will run from 4 April to 20 September 2009 in the Main Hall at the Mitchell Library in Glasgow. www.inspired2009.com
To find out more about what to see and do in Glasgow in 2009, visit: www.seeglasgow.com
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ENDS
For more information:
Moira Dyer, Senior Manager – Public Relations
Glasgow City Marketing Bureau
Notes to Editors
1. Scotland’s first ever Homecoming year in 2009 marks the 250th anniversary of Scotland's national poet, the international cultural icon, Robert Burns.
Homecoming began this year on Burns Night, Sunday 25 January and will run to St Andrew’s Day on 30 November. It aims to engage Scots at home as well as motivate people of Scottish descent and those who simply love Scotland, to take part in an inspirational celebration of Scottish culture, heritage and some of the many great contributions Scotland has given to the world. www.homecomingscotland2009.com