The University’s School of Arts and Humanities will host a unique dual book launch event on Thursday 26 April to celebrate the art of two University figures, Kathleen Jamie and J.D. Fergusson.
The special event, entitled Sightlines – a Celebration of Colour and Light, will celebrate the official launch of new publications. The first is Sightlines, by Stirling’s Professor Kathleen Jamie, and the second is Colour, Light, Freedom: Fergusson at Stirling, a reworked catalogue exploring the work of the twentieth-century Scottish painter, J.D. Fergusson (whose Memorial Collection of paintings is held at Stirling).
Kathleen Jamie is Chair in Creative writing at Stirling and an award-winning Scottish writer of poetry and non-fiction. Her latest book, a collection of essays, has won widespread critical acclaim. Her association with Fergusson is not solely related to their mutual University ties but also to her personal enthusiasm for Fergusson’s art, which has led her in the past to feature his paintings on her book jackets.
The launch of the revised J.D. Fergusson catalogue coincides with the University’s investment in museum-quality display cases to house the J.D. Fergusson Memorial Collection. This collection of 14 paintings was originally presented to the University when it was founded in 1968, by Margaret Morris and the J.D. Fergusson Arts Foundation. Many of these paintings have only recently returned to Stirling, having been lent out last year to exhibitions across Scotland.
Kathleen Jamie said: “Launching my book here at Pathfoot is a joy because the building is already full of art and life and colour and lively minds. Being surrounded by Fergusson’s paintings makes it particularly special as he’s an artist whose work I greatly admire.”
Jane Cameron, University of Stirling Art Curator, said: “It’s a pleasure to have the Sightlines launch taking place in this building – with its art, its poetry, its words and its film – because all creative disciplines are brought together under one space, enabling artistic people to spark off one another.”
The launch event will take place in the Pathfoot Building, is free to attend and is open to everyone. It begins at 6.00p.m. and will include readings by Kathleen Jamie from her new book; talks on J.D. Fergusson and his links with the University; and a tour of the gallery by the University’s art curator, Jane Cameron. Both books will be on sale and Kathleen Jamie will be available to sign copies.
Further information about the University Art Collection can be found at: http://www.artcol.stir.ac.uk/