For an aspiring maker of images it is reassuring to be reminded that all art is derivative, and even great artists freely acknowledge their influences and sources of inspiration.

Picasso expressed his view of the young painter:

He is a collector who wants to form a collection by making his own paintings of pictures he has taken a fancy to in other people’s houses.  That’s how it is – but then it becomes something else.

Many artists have produced work that I have taken a fancy to, but they are a disparate group.  As a result, a series of interpretations of how they may have tackled musical subject matter may be decidedly off key.  In this exhibition the discordant notes are echoed by the use of discarded musical instruments from the workshop of my friend, the luthier.

Although the musical theme is explored in most of the works in this exhibition, the inclusion of a range of quite unrelated images adds to the discord : there is no consistency in terms of style, content or mood.. Hence the title of the show : OUT OF TUNE.

Artworks which do not strike a chord with us can also be influential – deciding what we don’t like can be a valuable starting point, and it is tempting to take a sideswipe at currently acclaimed works which would be better hung on the Emperor’s new clothesline.  But, if beauty is in the eye of the beholder, then disharmony may be in the ear of the listener.  I hope some of the exhibits strike the right note.

Mike McDonnell