Hundreds of images go on show in Society of Caithness Artists' online exhibition
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Eighty-five artists have accepted an invitation from the Society of Caithness Artists to join its online exhibition this year.
The annual exhibition is a long-established event in the Caithness cultural calendar and has taken place at Thurso High School in recent times.
Normally it attracts a large number of visitors, both local people and tourists, but the coronavirus pandemic has meant a change of plan for 2020 with exhibits being shown on the internet instead.
Society chairman Ian Pearson said: “This year we were looking forward to arranging the exhibition in a new venue at North Highland College UHI but, with the pandemic restrictions in place, we decided to continue to support artists by organising a similar exhibition online.
“The society has been pleasantly surprised at the large amount of artists that have submitted work. This demonstrates the importance of the visual arts in Caithness.
“We have not charged any membership fees this year, nor are we charging commission. This is in recognition that artists are struggling, with the usual outlets to sell their work being shut.”
The exhibition will run from July 1-31 and there are 359 images to scroll though at https://societyofcaithnessartists.co.uk
The exhibition is divided into two main sections, with the 3D and sculptural section showing three images of each work. Regular visitors to the society’s exhibitions will recognise some familiar names but there are some newcomers too.
Ian said: “Subject matter and media is, as always, a wide canvas and includes Caithness scenes, abstracts, portraits, animals and contemporary interpretations of social and political life.
“Professionals and amateurs are included as equals, with the exhibition being arranged in alphabetical order of surnames. There is a wide age range of contributing artists, from 90 years old to 12.”
Most work is for sale and viewers are encouraged to make direct contact with each artist of interest, as their contact details are included on the website.
Ian added: “Several of the images in the collection have naturally been influenced by the world we are now living in.”
In particular he highlighted the work by Penny Irvine entitled Shattered.
“This exhibition will have the potential to be viewed by a lot more than in person, as being on the website it is accessible worldwide,” he said.
