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05/12/2008

DRAWINGS which have been placed on long term loan to the University of Glasgow are to be made into prints and cards with all proceeds going towards the Beatson Pebble Appeal.

 

Hamish MacDonald, one of the country’s most successful contemporary artists, known and loved for his vivid, fluid landscapes of Scotland, gave the sketches on long term loan, prior to his death earlier this year.

 

The drawings were created when MacDonald attended the Beatson West of Scotland Oncology Centre in Glasgow for palliative chemotherapy following his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in early 2008.

 

Hamish, who died in September aged 73, began working on drawings of both the medical staff and his fellow patients as a way to pass the time while receiving his treatment.

 

Following a conversation with Professor Sir Kenneth Calman, Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, the works were then exhibited in the atrium of the Wolfson Medical School Building, where they are currently on show to the public. 

 

Hamish gave permission for the series of drawings to be turned into prints and cards to aid the Beatson Pebble Appeal, which is raising funds for a new cancer research centre for Glasgow.

 

Professor Sir Michael Bond, campaign chairman of the Beatson Pebble Appeal, said:

 

“This is a really significant collection of work and to be given permission to reproduce the art is incredibly exciting for us and we are confident that this will mean a significant boost to the appeal. We are very grateful to the MacDonald family for their support.

 

Every donation, from a gift of this nature right down to those  who will buy these reproductions, assists our appeal and no matter what size it is, you will be playing your part in helping the fight against cancer.”

 

 

Hamish MacDonald was born in Glasgow in 1935. He studied at Glasgow School of Art between 1963 and 1967 and from 1968 he successfully combined painting with teaching and also guest lectured throughout Scotland.

 

In 1991 he retired from his post as an art department principal to concentrate fully on the development of his painting.

 

His artistic influence was drawn from a diversity of sources including the Impressionists and the Scottish Colourists together with perhaps most noticeably the works of Gillies and Eardley. His broad, fluid style and bold palette place him directly within the continuing lineage of the Scottish Colourist tradition whilst his ability to capture the atmosphere and vitality of his subject is enhanced by a confident and mature style.

 

His works can be found in many major collections, including HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Paisley Art Gallery, Burmah Oil Company and several UK education authorities and regional councils.

 

His awards include: National Prizewinner Laing Competition (1989) and RGI Royal College of Physicians Award (1993). His work is also well represented as cards, and his limited edition prints are now enthusiastically collected

 

Daughter, Louise Jones, who runs the Lemon Street Gallery in Cornwall, exhibiting her late father’s work, is delighted to lend her support to the Beatson Pebble Appeal.

 

She said:

 

“My father was really an inspiration to us all and I hope that people will buy the works and help do their bit with a fund-raising effort for the Beatson Pebble Appeal and the building of the Beatson Translational Research Centre.

 

“Dad remained very upbeat during his treatment and the sketches were his way of dealing with the chemotherapy. He became very enthused about the drawings which give a real insight into life in the chemotherapy room. I am absolutely delighted that his legacy will live on and would hope that we can raise a substantial amount of money through the sale.”

 

The Beatson Translational Research Centre, which will be built at Garscube Estate in Bearsden, will convert basic cancer research into real improvements in treatments for patients.

 

The scientists housed there will focus on all types of cancers that affect all ages. Cancers such as breast, prostate, ovarian, lung, throat, mouth, stomach and intestinal, some of which are the most common in Scotland, will all be studied.

 

 

For more information on the Beatson Pebble Appeal or if you are interested in taking the £1K challenge, please log on to www.beatsonpebbleappeal.org

 

For further information please contact Kate McCheyne on 0141 333 9585/07766076469 kate.mccheyne@bigpartnership.co.uk or Gillian Hamilton on 0141 333 9585/07734656676 gillian.hamilton@bigpartnership.co.uk