"Still", an altar piece by Alison Watt

[rhythmaning]

This morning I went to see Alison Watt’s installation of four paintings, “Still”, an altar piece in the chapel of remembrance of Old St Paul’s Episcopal Church in the Old Town of Edinburgh.

I have been a couple of times before, and I always find it a very moving experience. This time, I was prompted by a recent programme on BBC1 Scotland about Watt’s current exhibition at the National Gallery in London.

“Still” is set in a side chapel; it is barely lit by a window to its right, and a small candle flickering directly below the painting. The left wall is a war memorial, a list of names of those who died – presumably parishioners – in the first and second world wars.

The painting is of hanging cloth, I suppose, and the luxuriant folds suggest loss and absence.

The combination of the painting the long list of names is deeply moving. The whole really is still; I had to sit a while, just looking. The light, the painting and the names are very affecting.

It is very, very beautiful.

Alison Watt is represented by the Ingleby Gallery.

Comments

[psychochicken.livejournal.com]

That does look beautiful. I can only imagine how it feels.

[rhythmaning.livejournal.com]

Oops - I didn't reply... Sorry! It is a special place, I think. I would recoomend it if you are through this side - it is best to visit in the morning on weekdays - the church is open then. And Sundays are a no-no (unless, of course, you want to use the church for worship rather than art!).