Neville Rae has brought to life proposals for public sculptures which were never fabricated. For the past year he has been working closely with Brian Miller, who was Cumbernauld's first and only town artist and the artist's archives to realise his public works of art for the first time.
This exhibition brings together a collection of eleven black and white photographs with colour collage and six maquettes, made in the 1960s. They were made to illustrate proposals for public art within the new town of Cumbernauld with the majority of them never being realised. By displaying these proposals, Rae has brought new life and recognition to hypothetical artworks - the designs for which have not been seen in nearly fifty years.
Neville Rae is interested in the story of post-war architecture in Scottish new towns, and the melancholy of a modernist tradition which never really flourished. His work explores and develops fictional creations, places and public sculptures which transgress the imaginary border between art, architecture and landscape.
To accompany this exhibition there will be a discussion between Neville Rae and Brian Miller* exploring the role of the town artist and issues concerning public art in relation to Scottish new town planning. Other speakers and events are to be added to this programme in the coming weeks. All events are free of charge and open to the public. For more information or to book tickets please contact Amy Dennis at adennis@rbge.ac.uk or by telephone on 0131 248 2971.
*Neville Rae and Brian Miller in Conversation: Saturday 29th March, 2pm, Lecture Theatre, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
Originally from Cumbernauld, Neville graduated from The Glasgow School of Art in 2006 and lives and works in Glasgow. Recent exhibitions include ‘5 Artists Respond to Cumbernauld', Cumbernauld 2007 and ‘Darkspace II', Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh 2007. Neville has also received two cultural grants in 2007 to regenerate spaces through public art. These include: ‘A Town For Tomorrow', Cumbernauld and ‘The Gorbalites', Glasgow. In 2008, he will undertake in preliminary talks about reinstating some of Brain Miller's lost artworks in Cumbernauld and design a website commemorating the work of the town artist.
Neville Rae - A Great Future Behind You, figures 1 - 17, 1960 - 2008.
Framed photographs with collage (1967), maquettes and table.
Neville Rae - A Great Future Behind You, figures 1 - 17, 1960 - 2008.
Framed photographs with collage (1967), maquettes and table.
Neville Rae - A Great Future Behind You, figures 1 - 17, 1960 - 2008.
Framed photograph with collage (1967).
All works courtesy of Neville Rae/Brian Miller. Collection of Brian Miller.
Neville Rae is a member of Satellite Arts.
Download: Neville Rae - A Town For Tomorrow - additional information
