Page 5 - Art First: Wilhelmina Barns-Graham: Collage Works 1982-1993

WILHELMINA BARNS- GRAHAM

C O LL A G E S 19 82 –19 8 6

Art First presents the f rst study exhibition covering a singular and
remarkable area of Barns-Graham’s practice.

T e intimate works in this exhibition were created by building surfaces
with multi-additions of very small, punchy paper dots or cut rectangles
and strips with which the artist achieved astonishing patterns of move -

ment and depth. T e group emanates partly from the conf nes of a period
of ill health, during which the small scale and ‘made at the table’ works
answered a need and inspired a new form of expression.

We include more sizeable examples where there are clear parallels with
her concurrent formal abstract painting (such as Family Series and Tribute
Series) along with stated references to the Orcadian coastline, (Birsay II,
1986), where she exhibited and made work at exactly this time. T e other
named location is Crail, close to her home in St Andrews. T e two Crail
works imply a jaunty harbour view in contrast to the tough granite outline
on the northern island.

Barns-Graham’s long practice of making small scale, intricate line draw -
ings as a form of meditation, is echoed in the process of sticking tiny
pieces of paper or card to create the repetitive patterning of these collages.

T e explosive energy in their overall design gives them a distinctive
character and the jewel like application of colour in some of the series
adds a fresh dynamic to their visual appeal.