Orchard exhibition will bear fruit at arts centre

A new exhibition exploring memories, hopes and imagination is set to open this weekend.

Kirkcudbright-based artist Maggie Ayres has a solo exhibition opening at the Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries.

Orchard explores memories, hopes and imagination – recalling everything from a childhood playing among the apple trees in the Lake District, through the joys and trials of motherhood, to struggles with anxiety and depression.

Entitled Orchard, it takes place from Saturday, 1 September.

Although an intensely personal, almost circular, journey through life, the universal themes of desire, struggle and hope, are something everyone can connect to.

Visitors to the Dumfries-born artist’s studio during the Spring Fling open studios event earlier this year caught glimpses of the exhibition to come.

Over a year in the making, Maggie has created a series of abstract wall pieces and boxes using the ancient art of encaustic painting, incorporating beeswax mixed with tree resin, oil paints, rust printed paper, found objects and constructed materials.

She said: ‘This is very much a journey through life, and I think it reflects the experiences and feelings of many people.

‘I didn’t want to feel limited to one medium or form of expression. The pieces are richly textured with multiple layers, which allow the viewers to explore their own thoughts and emotional experiences.’

The official launch is open to everyone and takes place at 2pm on Saturday. The exhibition will run at Gracefield Arts Centre until October 6. Entry is free.