An Exhibition Including Previously Unseen Works of Artists Chris J. Fergusson ‘The Glasgow Girl’ From Dumfries, and her Daughter Nan Fergusson Opens this August In Kirkcudbright
29th August – 10th September 2022; 10.30 am – 5 pm daily.
A list of the work in the exhibition can be downloaded by clicking here: Fergusson Exhibition List with Thumbnails. The paintings are for sale: Fergusson Exhibition List – Prices. Paintings can be reserved by downloading and completing this Reservation Form which should be returned to Ian Steele.
An exhibition of paintings by Dumfries artist Christian ‘Chris’ J. Fergusson (1876-1957), who was one of The Glasgow Girls, is taking place from 29th August -10th September in Kirkcudbright. They are being displayed, alongside some works of her daughter Nan S. Fergusson (1910-1984), at the Harbour Cottage Gallery. This is a rare opportunity to see these oils and watercolours side by side, and also to purchase them. Many have not been exhibited or been on sale before.
Chris was part of the famous group of artists and designers known as The Glasgow Girls, and her works were included in The Glasgow Girls exhibition held in 2010 at Kirkcudbright Town Hall and at Glasgow School of Art. Over many years, her work has also been included in exhibitions throughout Scotland, and in particular in Dumfries and Galloway.
Born in Dumfries, Chris was educated at Dumfries Academy, Crystal Palace School of Art in London, and Glasgow School of Art. Graduating in 1904, her period of study in Glasgow coincided with the height of the influence of the Arts and Crafts Movement. An active participant in The Suffragist Movement, Chris later taught at GSA as well as Kirkcudbright Academy and Glasgow High School for Girls. With artists E.A.Hornel , E.A.Taylor and R.D.Cairns, she was co-founder of the Dumfries and Galloway Fine Art Society in 1922.
Nan Fergusson, educated in Dumfries and at Edinburgh College of Art, mainly painted landscapes of locations, including Galloway and Arran. Mentored by William Gillies, John Maxwell and Penelope Beaton, Nan was an art teacher at George Watson’s Ladies College in Edinburgh in the 1960 and 70s, and her work has been exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy and Royal Glasgow Institute of Fine Arts Society.
Jim Henderson , Nan’s son, was for many years involved with the promotion of Chris Fergusson’s paintings. He always intended to do more to promote the work of his mother, Nan Fergusson, but sadly he died in November 2021, before this could be done. His sisters and brothers have arranged this exhibition as a tribute to Jim.
The BBC has a report on the exhibition here: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-62504296
Chris J Fergusson 1876-1957: ‘The Glasgow Girl’ from Dumfries’ is open 10.30am-5pm daily.
Here is just a small sample of what will be on show.
