McManus Galleries

The McManus Galleries is located in Albert Square, Dundee.  It is housed in a Gothic building and has one of Scotland's most impressive collections of fine and decorative art.  The collection offers a range of features from local history to contemporary art. 

McManus Galleries is very accessible.  It is wheelchair-friendly and offers induction loops in selected galleries.  It has a shop and cafe and features an active programme of activities and events.

McManus Galleries is currently undergoing major redevelopment to create a cultural facility equipped for the 21st Century while conserving and restoring the historic building. It aims to transform into an open, welcoming, light, easily accessible visitor attraction.

The building will close to the public on 24 October 2005 for redevelopment and will re-open in December 2007.

Reflection, New Works for the City Collection

As part of the new National Collecting Scheme for Scotland (NCSS), the McManus gallery is featuring Reflection: New Works for the City Collection.  The Project is funded by Dundee City Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Scotland.  The exhibition runs from 25 June – 28 August 2005, Mon – Sat 10.30am – 5pm, Sun 12.30 – 4pm.

 Visual Arts at the McManus Galleries

'Reflection: New Works for the City Collection’ is the public’s first chance to see the 11 impressive new acquisitions purchased so far.  In the field of Fine Art, there is an emphasis on photography and new media.

Mat Collishaw’s framed colour photograph, Burning Flowers 2, 2003, suggests a greater passion - the flames of a consuming desire.

Where the Heart is, 2002, is by the Scottish sculptor Graham Fagan who currently teaches at Duncan of Jordanstone College, Dundee.  This is a painted bronze cast of a real hybrid tea rose.  Growing examples of the Fragrant Hybrid Tea Rose, Where the Heart is, will also feature.

The only painting in the new NCSS collection is by Graeme Todd, a graduate of Duncan of Jordanstone College.  It is so Endless, 2002, acrylic, ink and varnish on board, is a complex multi-layered painting depicting an imagined mountain landscape.

 

Crafts at the Mc Manus Galleries

In the crafts field, the McManus is specialising in Ceramics and Glass.  The boundaries between art and crafts are rapidly crumbling and there has never been a more exciting time for what was traditionally called the decorative arts or crafts. 

Rachel Woodman's Chosen 1, 2004, is an innovative piece of blown cased glass, purple over white, with gold leaf.

Colin Reid ‘s Untitled, R1198, 2003, is an amazing piece of kilncast optical glass resembling an exquisite underwater cavern.

The first ceramic purchase is A Tutti Frutti Bubble Pyramid, 2004, pebble-glazed earthenware, by Kate Malone, one of the most colourful and exciting potters working in Britain today.

 

Other artists/art works featured include:

• Annie Cattrell's 'Capacity'
• Alison Kinnaird's ‘Streetwise II’
• Bruno Romanelli's 'Recollection of a Time IV'
• Massimo Bartolini's 'Nespolo'
• Cocker’s Nurseries Aberdeen
• Sophy Rickett's 'Cypress Screen'
• Gavin Turk's 'Habitat' 
• Claire Barclay's 'Untitled'