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PICTURES: Local artist’s portrait show of local fishing folk was one of Thurso gallery’s most popular exhibitions





After the grand success of her Thurso exhibition of local characters, a Caithness artist says she plans to stage the show at Waterlines heritage museum in Lybster.

Dawn Maclean held the exhibition called 'Fishing Folk and Other Local Heroes' in the North Coast Visitor Centre (NCVC) between May 7 and June 13.

Artist Dawn Maclean, at left, with her portrait of Christine and Gordon Gunn at the opening of the show in Thurso in May.
Artist Dawn Maclean, at left, with her portrait of Christine and Gordon Gunn at the opening of the show in Thurso in May.
A full house for the opening of Dawn Maclean's portrait show at the North Coast Visitor Centre in Thurso.
A full house for the opening of Dawn Maclean's portrait show at the North Coast Visitor Centre in Thurso.
Anthony Carberry (TC) strikes the same pose as in the drawing by Dawn Maclean, at right.
Anthony Carberry (TC) strikes the same pose as in the drawing by Dawn Maclean, at right.

Dawn said she was very proud to have a photograph taken at the grand opening of the show with two of her subjects, Catherine and Gordon Gunn.

“Having them make the effort to attend my opening day meant a huge amount to me, along with everyone else who came,” she added.

“Also, I wish to thank Christine Gunn at the visitor centre, who has been such an encouraging voice from the very start.

“I'd like to thank everyone who made the effort to come and see my exhibition. I am very proud that it seems to have reignited a sense of community and given a bit of insight into the faces we see every day. I’ve felt a connection with every person I have drawn, and I am so pleased to call them all friends.”

Sign directing the public to Dawn's show at the top of the museum and art gallery in Thurso. Picture: DGS
Sign directing the public to Dawn's show at the top of the museum and art gallery in Thurso. Picture: DGS
Dawn Maclean's self portrait with an added touch of colour. The artist included information beside each portrait detailing aspects of the lives of each person she captured. Many said it would make a great book. Picture: DGS
Dawn Maclean's self portrait with an added touch of colour. The artist included information beside each portrait detailing aspects of the lives of each person she captured. Many said it would make a great book. Picture: DGS
Another of the well-kent fisher folk featured was Alistair Simpson (Ali), who is shown next to his portrait at the show's opening.
Another of the well-kent fisher folk featured was Alistair Simpson (Ali), who is shown next to his portrait at the show's opening.

There were 19 pencil portraits of local people, and each was accompanied by a biography of their lives.

Dawn added: “I've chosen to draw people who are well-known faces in our town. People who have contributed to making Thurso and Scrabster what it is. I'd like to thank everyone in the images for being so open with me and telling me their stories.”

Bobby McCarthy often helps hang artworks at various galleries in Caithness, including the NCVC, Lyth Arts Centre and Thurso Art Gallery – no easy task as it needs a keen eye and an understanding of how the works will best be lit.

The last day of Dawn's portrait exhibition at the North Coast Visitor Centre in Thurso. Picture: DGS
The last day of Dawn's portrait exhibition at the North Coast Visitor Centre in Thurso. Picture: DGS

“I didn’t hang this one, but normally I do artworks on the walls of the gallery here,” said Bobby, who works as a relief staff member at the NCVC.

“Dawn did a terrific job for her exhibition, and we discussed it with her over a year or so. I think she was quite nervous putting it on, but she shouldn’t have been because there have been so many people coming through the door to see it multiple times.

“Hopefully, it will go forward to be made into a book, or maybe we’ll have the chance of another exhibition in the future.”

By popular demand, the show continued past its designated closing date and ended on June 13. On the last day, Bobby said he would help Dawn take the works down but before that occurred, a few of the guests from the unveiling ceremony for a newly acquired Pictish stone, headed up to see the portrait exhibition.

Many people returned to the gallery to enjoy the show, and by popular demand, it ran for an extra week until June 13.
Many people returned to the gallery to enjoy the show, and by popular demand, it ran for an extra week until June 13.
A portrait of Donald John Munro Mackay, known as 'Dokers', was one of many local characters captured by Dawn in her show. Picture: DGS
A portrait of Donald John Munro Mackay, known as 'Dokers', was one of many local characters captured by Dawn in her show. Picture: DGS
Lord Thurso was very impressed with the exhibition and said that seeing the portraits brought back 'wonderful memories'. Picture: DGS
Lord Thurso was very impressed with the exhibition and said that seeing the portraits brought back 'wonderful memories'. Picture: DGS
Comment book for Dawn's exhibition. Picture: DGS
Comment book for Dawn's exhibition. Picture: DGS

One of these guests was Lord Thurso, who unveiled the Pictish stone known as Ulbster 2 on the bottom floor of NCVC, and journeyed upstairs to see the popular show before it was gone.

“It’s absolutely fabulous and the first person I saw when I walked in was ‘Wing’ Munro, who everybody knows,” he said.

“Then I saw Dokers, who was a great fisherman. As I went around, there were so many people I knew and went to school with in the late 50s. It brings back so many wonderful memories. It’s a really powerful exhibition of extraordinarily well-executed drawings.”

Dawn says she has plans to stage 'Fishing Folk and Other Local Heroes' at Lybster’s Waterlines heritage museum in August or September.

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