An exhibition of paintings by one of the Glasgow Girls will go on display in Kirkcudbright this week.
Pieces from Dumfries artist Christian “Chris” J Fergusson (1876-1957) will be displayed alongside some works by her daughter Nan S Fergusson (1910-1984) at the Harbour Cottage Gallery from Monday.
Chris was part of the famous group of artists and designers known as The Glasgow Girls and her works were included in The Glasgow Girls exhibition held in 2010 at Kirkcudbright Town Hall and at Glasgow School of Art.
Over many years, her work has also been included in exhibitions throughout Scotland and in particular in Dumfries and Galloway.
Born in Dumfries, Chris was educated at Dumfries Academy, Crystal Palace School of Art in London and Glasgow School of Art. She graduated in 1904. Her period of study in Glasgow coincided with the height of the influence of the Arts and Crafts Movement.
An active participant in The Suffragist Movement, Chris later taught at GSA as well as Kirkcudbright Academy and Glasgow High School for Girls.
Nan Fergusson, educated in Dumfries and at Edinburgh College of Art, mainly painted landscapes of locations including Galloway and Arran.
Mentored by William Gillies, John Maxwell and Penelope Beaton, Nan was an art teacher at George Watson’s Ladies College in Edinburgh in the 1960s and 70s and her work has been exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy and Royal Glasgow Institute of Fine Art.
Nan’s son Jim Henderson has for many years been involved with the promotion of Chris Fergusson’s paintings. He always intended to do more to promote the work of his mother but sadly died in November, 2021, before it could be done. His sisters and brothers have arranged this exhibition as a tribute to Jim.
