The Glenfiddich Distillery will unveil the final exhibition of works by its current artists in residence today, September 26.
Ten international artists have been working and living at the distillery in Dufftown over the summer months. The exhibition, which features pieces by three of the artists: Tania Candiani (Mexico), Chetnaa Verma (India) and Anna Hughes (UK), is the last in a series of three which have been staged in Glenfiddich’s onsite gallery.
Andy Fairgrieve, curator for the Glenfiddich Artists in Residence programme, said: “2014 has been another inspiring year for our Artists in Residence programme. At the start of the summer, the artists began to arrive from the corners of the globe.
“Living and working in a rural distillery was a new and strange experience for them all but, over the coming months, they made Glenfiddich their home, formed friendships with each other, workers at the distillery and local people and created an impressive body of new work. I am sure this experience will remain with them and continue to influence their art long after they have returned home.”
The artists have all found their own ways of interpreting the experience through their work. The first exhibition held at Glenfiddich featured artworks including a series of copper coins created through community workshops hosted by Canadian duo Rhonda Weppler and Trevor Mahovskyp; an audio installation that attempted to capture the Sound of Scotland by Korean Han Won Suk and a series of paintings on cask ends by Taiwanese artist Joyce Ho.
The second exhibition showcased a video wall
installation by Spanish urban artist SUSO33, which documented the production of paintings he made by spraying water on to distillery building walls. It also featured copper castings of found objects by Chilean artist Isidora Correa.
The new and final exhibition will unveil an audio installation by Tania Candiani which transmits sound and music through wooden trumpets crafted from cask staves which were produced in collaboration with local woodworker Allan Morrison.
It will also feature drawings and a light sculpture by Chetnaa Verma which explores lines and intersections and a series of installations and paintings by Anna Hughes that focus on Japanese Suiseki – small, naturally occurring shaped rocks which have been appreciated and given as gifts in Japan since the 5th century.
Mexican artist Tania Candiani said: “Being at Glenfiddich has been a wonderful experience. I have been honoured to work with craftsman Allan Morrison who has produced stunningly beautiful wooden trumpets for me as part of my work. I will never forget my time here, the people I have met and the drams I have enjoyed.”
Andy Fairgrieve added: “This year’s artists have found inspiration in many of the materials used in whisky making, including the copper of our stills, wood of our casks and wash backs and even the structural walls of our warehouses. I hope that local people will join us on Friday for the unveiling of this final exhibition and the opportunity to meet some of our artists before they head for home.”
The preview of the third and final exhibition by the Glenfiddich Artists In Residence 2014 will take place today, September 26, from 6.30pm. The exhibition will then be open to the public from Saturday, September 27 right through to Sunday, October 12, 12.30pm-5.30pm, Thursday-Sunday. Admission is free.