Popular Brushstrokes exhibition at Fife gallery extended

An array of paintings managed by cultural charity OnFife have been on display in Kirkcaldy Galleries in recent months as part of Brushstrokes, which was complementing the venue’s Jack Vettriano retrospective.

Jack Vettriano: The Early Years ended on Sunday, October 23, but it has this week been confirmed that the Brushstrokes exhibition will now run until January 9, 2023.

Lesley Lettice, curator, said: “Lots of visitors to the Jack Vettriano show were blown away by what’s on show in the adjacent two galleries – and, for many, it’s been their first glimpse of our amazing permanent collection.”

Brushstrokes features 21 paintings by the ever-popular Scottish Colourists – Francis Cadell, J D Fergusson, John Leslie Hunter and Samuel Peploe – and eight by renowned landscape artist William McTaggart.

Included in the blend of traditional and modern works are paintings by acclaimed artists such as Alison Watt, Joan Eardley and Anne Redpath.

Among the other leading names from 20th century Scottish art are John Bellany, Robin Philipson and Fife’s own John Houston.

Galleries staff have chosen several of the exhibits and written texts to accompany their selections.

QR codes let visitors learn more about many of the artists and their works.

The exhibition is family friendly with visitors welcome to access an art cart loaded with books, colouring sheets, craft activities, a giant jigsaw and a quiz game.

Comments in the visitors’ book show the extent of Brushstrokes’ broad appeal.

Visitors have also had a chance to suggest which paintings might feature in future displays at Kirkcaldy Galleries.

They can tell staff which works appeal to them most and curators will use gallery-goers’ feedback to inform their choices when the Galleries are rehung next year.

Lesley added: “We wanted to use Brushstrokes to engage with our audience and we’re pleased that has happened.

"I’ve spent a lot of time chatting to visitors and this has given us a clear idea about what they like and what they want to see in future.”

After closing in Kirkcaldy early next year, Brushstrokes will transfer to St Andrews Museum in the spring, once the building’s current refurbishment programme has been completed.