A specially commissioned cut-out depicting Scottish artists and craft makers will go on show for the thousands of visitors expected at this weekend’s McInroy & Wood Borders Art Fair (BAF).
The four-metre artwork (made up of four panels) celebrates the creative community which has contributed to the development of the annual event – which this year takes place in Kelso on 15-17 March.
Edinburgh-based Martha Ellis, who specialises in cut-outs, said: “I like to capture moments in time, so I spent time travelling round and spending time with the artists so I could depict them at work.”
The people featured are:
- Gary Anderson: Landscape painter
- Michelle De Bruin: Artist and stone carver
- Josephine Crossland: Stone carver
- Liz Hardy: contemporary abstract landscape painter
- Julia Linstead: Glass artist cresting hand blown and sand blasted glassware
- Michelle Skotzen: Abstract mixed media artist
- Darren Woodhead: Wildlife watercolour painter
- And also, the late Hugo Burge, who was a BAF patron.
Martha, who also has one of the more than 70 stands at the event, was asked to create the artwork by BAF Director Frances Ferguson.
The piece will be placed in the entrance hall of The Borders Event Centre so visitors can see it as they enter the fair.
Frances said: “A whole community of artists, makers and others have come together to build BAF into the success it is today and who make it so special.
“We wanted to commission an artwork to celebrate their creativity and commitment. Martha was the absolutely natural choice for the work because of the vivid way that she catches people in action.
“I think her work will really add to the fun of the event – and that visitors might even enjoy meeting some of the people depicted in the cut-out as they spend time going round the stands.”
BAF has a growing reputation for the quality of the work on display attracting more than 4,000 visitors to meet the host of participating painters, print makers, sculptors, illustrators and other contemporary artists and makers.
The work on display will include landscape, wildlife and portrait painting through to animal sculptures, ceramics and stone carvings.
BAF is family-friendly and features a pop-up print studio and demonstrations. You can relax and refuel at the indoor food village, where there will be food vans packed with all sorts of tempting treats.
It starts at 10am each day, ending at 4pm on Friday and Sunday and 5pm on Saturday – visitors are asked to pay what they can afford in order to support next year’s event.
- For details of the exhibitors see www.bordersartfair.com and follow BAF on social media for the latest updates.
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Notes for Editors
Further information
- For more about Martha https://www.marthaellis.co.uk
- For more about BAF visit www.bordersartfair.com.
- To contact BAF call 07803 012620 or email [email protected].
- To find out more about the Scottish Borders visit: