View from the Moon

Willie Sutherland with works by George Wyllie

6th – 12th November 2021
Tobacco Warehouse, 11 Clarence Street, Greenock PA15 1LR.

Willie Sutherland presents new work inspired by environmental themes from George Wyllie's 'Christmas Day Down a Goldmine', alongside original works by George Wyllie (1921 – 2012).

This timely jewel of an exhibition, presented during COP 26 invites us to question our treatment of the planet in this time of climate emergency.

Highly praised for his first solo exhibition, 'Evolution of Wa', at Glasgow's CCA, self-taught artist and sculptor Willie Sutherland presents new sculptures and drawings based on a re-imaging of Wyllie's work.

When talking about his work, Sutherland said Wyllie's "humour and humanity" influenced him. From this, subsequent connection with the George Wyllie Estate gave the idea for this new collaborative exhibition.

Sutherland's expedition to the Wyllie archive has stimulated a reimagining of Wyllie's 'Christmas Day Down a Goldmine', a 1985 seasonal adaptation of 'A Day Down A Goldmine' that began as an exhibition in 1982, developed into an award-winning play, and enjoyed a continuing afterlife, with slight modifications, until 1990.

This exhibition by Willie Sutherland, in collaboration with the George Wyllie Estate, is taking place in the lead up to the centenary of George Wyllie's birth on 31 December 2021. Please see georgewylie.com for further information.

"Sutherland tightly grasps the handle of Wyllie's trademark question takes aim and, like Wyllie, prods us to question our relationship with the planet."
Lynne Mackenzie, Curator, George Wyllie Archive.