Show goes on for Black Isle artist who launches lockdown exhibition live on Facebook from home
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ROSS-SHIRE's artistic community is harnessing technology to connect with people during one of the most challenging periods in living memory.
Musicians streaming live performances from their living rooms have found a way to reach a global audience and today a Black Isle-based artist plans following suit with an exhibition launch – live from her garden.
Emer Beattie had planned the launch of her first solo exhibition at the Alchemist Gallery in Dingwall before the world was turned upside down by the Covid-19 crisis.
Undeterred, Highland Seasons – featuring her vibrant watercolours – launched via Facebook from her home on Friday.
She said: "My mother was going to come over from Ireland for this so I wanted to have some way she could join in and make a party of it despite the circumstances!”
She is being backed all the way by Alchemist supremo Hazel Gordon who said: "Her bright paintings are exactly what is needed at this difficult time for everyone, so I’m delighted Emer’s going ahead with her exhibition, including a live ‘opening night’, even although it’s not quite how we planned it. Highland Seasons now seems like an even more apt title for this show, as life is certainly unpredictable right now. However, just like our seasons, these paintings will reward with uplifting blooms, blossoms, botanicals and glowing colours that cheer the soul."
She added: “Like every independent High Street retailer, we’d just love to see folk back in the shop in good health, just as soon as we can. It’s a difficult time for everyone, but please do join in and enjoy the exhibition meantime”.
Emer’s husband, Bryan Beattie, and teenage children and mother-in-law, who are all in self-isolation with her at the family home near Munlochy, were being roped in to help.
All the works in the exhibition will be available to view in detail on the Alchemist Gallery website.
She said, “Each weekday I’ll go live for three minutes to give the background and inspiration to one of the pictures – hopefully folk can join in when they’re having a coffee break and it’ll help add a bit of craic and colour to their day!”.
Find out more on her Facebook page at www.facebook.com/EmerBeattieArt/
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Story or picture to share from your lockdown experience? Email hector.mackenzie@hnmedia.co.uk
