Caithness's forgotten artist
WITH a talk scheduled for Wednesday evening at Lyth Arts Centre on the works of George Bain – the "forgotten son" of Caithness – Thurso historian Alan McIvor gives an assessment of the artist's life and legacy and shows some of the works he has collected.
Alan came across George Bain when doing research into the "less well-known characters" of the county. Smitten by Bain's creative skills, he now owns work by the artist and has tried to raise his profile through public exhibitions.
"I am proud to have some of his work back home [in Thurso], so to speak. I have raised money twice before by displaying some of my collection for Thurso Town Improvements Association and Thurso Heritage Society," said Alan who hopes to display the works again "when a secure venue is available" in the town.
"As an artist, he made a very important contribution to the revitalisation of Celtic art. He was the first to study and deconstruct the ancient designs of the Picts found on stones and metalwork."
George Bain was born at Scrabster on September 19, 1881, to John Bain, a farm servant, and Jessie McKenzie Bain (née Sinclair). He would not remain long at Scrabster as the family moved in 1888, originally with the intention of emigrating to Canada. While stopping in Leith, they met with a cousin who coaxed them into settling in Edinburgh.
He did a spell working for an Edinburgh printer, from the ages of 15 until 21, and studied art on a part-time basis at the Edinburgh School of Art and the School of Applied Art. Another move came when he gained his scholarship at the Royal College of Art in London. To help support himself, he worked freelance doing illustrations for magazines, books and newspapers.
Alan said: "I do not think he was happy with the way things were run in London so returned to Edinburgh in 1905 to study part-time at the Royal Scottish Academy Life School. Then after a break, he studied at Edinburgh College of Art until 1915 when he gained his Doctor of Arts degree.
"I own a number of his original works, some drypoint engravings, pencil sketches and a watercolour painting which is one of his early works from 1901. That was the first year he exhibited in the Royal Scottish Academy. He would continue to exhibit there until 1958."
In-between times, Bain married Jessie Mackintosh in 1908 at Inverness and his father left farming behind and became an inspector of police. During World War One he served with the Royal Engineers where, as an artist, his skills were put to use with the 26th Division's theatre.
In 1899 he was made principal art teacher at Kirkcaldy High School and as principal advisory art teacher for the area until he retired in 1946, moving to his wife’s birthplace at Drumnadrochit.
"He tried to establish a college of Celtic cultures so people could study their history. Though it failed in 1952 – due to a lack of financial support – it showed he had never forgotten his roots and the importance of learning about your local area."
That same year the family moved to Staffordshire, where he gave lectures and carried out commissioned work. His wife passed away in 1957 and George on March 25, 1968.
"When his 1951 book Celtic Art: The Methods of Construction was republished in 1972, it introduced a generation to Pictish stones, Celtic knotwork, the Book of the Kells and the Book of Durrow. With over 200 illustrations, the publication instructed how to create similar work. His collected works were awarded Recognised Collection of National Significance for Scotland in 2013."
George Bain's work and legacy will be discussed in a free lecture by Jo Clements of Groam House Museum on Wednesday (October 16) at 7pm at Lyth Arts Centre.