A riot of bold and colourful paintings will transform the Lillie Art Gallery next month when a new exhibition inspired by indigenous peoples launches.
Paisley artist Ian Cook has spent time living with native peoples in the US, Central America and Africa and is passionate about their plight. A Glasgow School of Art graduate who has exhibited across Europe, his painting style is big, bold and striking. His new exhibition, which he has entitled ‘Savages’ to highlight the tensions between indigenous populations and colonial aspirations, opens at the Milngavie gallery on Monday 13 January.
Over the centuries, the culture of many indigenous races in the Americas and Mexico, Africa and Asia came close to extinction. Despite this, the peoples of these continents prevailed and retained their traditions. The paintings evoke the lives of the peoples who still inhabit these lands and how, today, more than ever, they can teach us a lesson in how to save the earth, says Cook.
Councillor Vaughan Moody, Joint Leader of the Council and Chair of the East Dunbartonshire Leisure & Culture Trust, said, “We are delighted to welcome this bold and evocative exhibition to the Lillie. Art is about opening our eyes to new points of view and this collection of paintings offers a rare insight in the lives of the communities Ian has spent time with.
“Ian Cook has exhibited around the world and we are proud to welcome an artist of his calibre to one of our venues. I would encourage anyone who can to come along and see the exhibition for themselves.”
Savages runs at the Lillie Art Gallery from Friday 13 January until Thursday 6 February. For more information, call the gallery on 0141 956 5536 or visit www.edlc.co.uk
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