Archive for April, 2022

Presenting a stunning exhibition by Brigid Collins, Artist in Residence Exhibition – Thompson Tower Sunday 19th to Sunday, 26th June.

Opening Times: 11:30 – 16:30 daily, with other times by arrangement.

Free entrance

Brigid Collins, Artist in Residence at Dr. Neil’s Garden says

“During my time as Artist in Residence at Dr. Neil’s Garden you are likely to have spotted me “dropping down” to observe, learn from and converse with the wonderful plants that live here, so freely, among the grasses that line the shore of Duddingston Loch, tended by inspiring gardener, Claudia Pottier (another artist) and supported by a crew of hard-working volunteers. I am also in conversation with poet, Christine De Luca and others, who are finding words, arising from conversations between ourselves, the plants and our mutual responses to this very special place as the world has been going through what feel to be exceptional times…

The poet, John Clare (1793-1864) spoke of “dropping down”, in order to see nature as it might appear to other beings: he dropped down to view the world and I am trying to allow myself to do this – slowing down, dropping down, cultivating seeing as heeding – because I feel a need more strongly than ever to study, attune to and learn from what is happening in nature, all around me.”

There will be an exhibition of Brigid’s artwork towards the end of her time as Artist in Residence, to include works inspired by the garden and poems by Christine De Luca and others.

Dr Neil’s Garden is proud to present Macro Landscapes by John Maher Tuesday 12th April to Monday 25th April 10:30 to 17:00

John is a semi-professional photographer & has exhibited at:

• Contemporary Art Fairs in Windsor, Reading, Glasgow & Aberdeen.
• Solo exhibitions at:
• Candid Arts Gallery, London
• Brick Lane Gallery, London
• The Tabernacle, London
• Tally-Ho Arts Centre, London

In recent years he has been printing his images onto aluminium because of the three dimensional quality & clarity this medium provides.

The prints are also light-fast, scratch resistant & waterproof.

Also exhibited are a selection of Giclée inkjet mounted prints.

Brigid will talk about her time as Artist in residence at Dr. Neil’s Garden and the work being developed from this, inspired by Christine De Luca’s poems, evolving alongside Brigid’s artworks.

Christine De Luca writes in English and Shetlandic, her mother tongue. She was appointed Edinburgh’s Makar for 2014-2017. She has had eight poetry collections published, the most recent of which, Veeve (2021), is currently longlisted for The Highland Book Prize. Previously, Dat Trickster Sun, (2014), also from Mariscat, Edinburgh, was shortlisted for the UK-wide Michael Marks Award. She also has five bi-lingual volumes published (French, Italian, Icelandic, Norwegian and English) and a tri-lingual pamphlet of poems of Eugénio de Andrade (Portuguese, English and Shetlandic). She is a member of Shore Poets, Edinburgh. Christine enjoys collaborating with musicians, most recently with jazz composer Tommy Smith – and artists, most recently Victoria Crowe and Brigid Collins.

• Saturday, 25th June (11am-1pm) £15 (You will have the opportunity to view Brigid’s exhibition in the Thomson Tower at the end of this talk)

The Talk will take place in the Kirk Hall an the Poetry Walk will take place in Dr. Neil’s Garden. N.B. If the weather is very bad, Christine will give her poetry reading in the Kirk Hall.

To book email: mail@brigidcollins.co.uk