The Artist and The Architect exhibition explores the fascinating friendship between Charles Rennie Mackintosh and J D Fergusson.
One was an iconic architect, the other one of the most influential British artists of the 20th century. Together they shared professional advice, support and a lifelong friendship.
The story of the relationship between Charles Rennie Mackintosh and J D Fergusson is detailed in a free exhibition at Perth’s Fergusson Gallery, which houses most of Fergusson’s work. Pieces from the JD Fergusson archives, together with works by Mackintosh on loan from Glasgow School of Art, are on public view from 30th September 2017 to 29th January 2018.
Featured works in the exhibition include Fergusson’s Branches (pictured left) , Mackintosh’s watercolour The Harvest Moon (header picture) and Fergusson’s wooden sculpture, Dryad, inspired by a plant given to him by Mackintosh.
J D Fergusson was born in Edinburgh, had ancestral links to Perthshire and spent much of his career in France. It was whilst living in London that Fergusson and lifelong companion Margaret Morris, the pioneer of modern dance (theatre poster, left) got to know Mackintosh and his wife, fellow artist Margaret Macdonald. The two couples lived in a bohemian quarter of Chelsea.
As well as a love of art and of France – where both couples also lived for part of their lives – Fergusson and Mackintosh shared a love for nature. Plant forms were a vital source of inspiration for both artists.
Helen Smout, chief executive of Culture Perth and Kinross, which operates Perthshire’s museums and galleries, said:
“The Artist and The Architect brings together some essential works of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and J D Fergusson and shines a spotlight on their relationship and the way they influenced each other both personally and professionally. It’s thanks to loans of work from Glasgow School of Art that we could make this important exhibition happen.”
J D Fergusson Gallery is open Tuesdays to Sundays and is free to the public.
For more information visit www.culturepk.org.uk
Culture Perth and Kinross is a charitable Trust which officially came into being on 1 April 2016, taking responsibility for the delivery and development of museum and library services in Perth & Kinross.