An Ellon and Aberdeen artist who takes his inspiration from the natural world and the coastline of the north-east will open an exhibition of his work at the Old Town House in Aberdeen today (March 14).
Alan Paterson, a lecturer in Primary Education at the University of Aberdeen, will display works in mixed media combining paint and oil pastels and different paper and fabrics.
Titled ‘Flowing through and away, to flow and to flower’, the exhibition is the latest showcase of the work of the Glasgow School of Art graduate. He has previously exhibited in a variety of places including gallery spaces in Dundee and Inverness, Arbuthnot Museum in Peterhead, and the WK Gallery, West Kilbride. He also has works in numerous private collections
Mr Paterson said his role in the School of Education, where he works as a lecturer within early years and primary education, sparked an interest in understanding the imaginative and creative growth of young children and their sense of self, which is reflected in his artwork.
He said: “I work with young children and students training to be teachers in primary schools and I am struck by their creative flow and energy.
“The ‘flow’ within the exhibition draws upon this, bringing together the psychological and aesthetic aspects of how this energy passes through you in a certain way.
“My artworks also examine conscious and unconscious elements at play in the process of responding to environment and sense of place.”
The natural world is also a key source of inspiration for Mr Paterson’s work and the exhibition features many images of flowers, water, stone, land and sea.
He added: “I like to walk regularly between Collieston and Forvie on the pathway at the edge of coastline where the land meets the sea.
“I draw a great deal of inspiration from the natural world and our place within it. I’m particularly interested in circles and a symbol of ‘oneness’ and how we are connected to the natural world.
“I hope that when people come to see my work in will invoke a depth of response within them to the world around us.”
Neil Curtis, Head of Museums said, “I am very pleased that we have been able to display some of Alan’s work, which emphasises the importance of the processes lying being the creation and appreciation of works of art.”
‘Flowing through and away, to flow and to flower’ opens at the Old Town House, High Street, Old Aberdeen on 14th March and will run until the end of May.
Entry is free and the Old Town House is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm. As access to the first floor of the Old Town House is restricted, visitors wth mobility problems should contact King’s Museum in advance (01224-274330).
To see more details of Mr Paterson’s work visit http://www.artworks3.madasafish.com/Home.html