Beyond Appearances

Intended to explore "the stylistic qualities and thematic characteristics that distinguish Scottish modern and contemporary painting," Beyond Appearances over-exerts itself by using too few paintings to illustrate progression over too large a time-span. The contrived incorporation of under-developed paintings by recent graduates Jacqui Campbell and Dorothy Lawrenson is far from apposite to the objective of demonstrating that "painting is still very much in a vigorous condition," whilst the inclusion of garish dross from the likes of Iain Robertson and Barbara Rae rather suggests that artless vivacity has replaced confidence and careful observation as the guiding force behind the modern painter's brush. If the curator's conceit falls flat on its face, then at least we have outstanding individual works with which to console ourselves: as usual John Eardley's landscape work is tremendously nourishing, whilst Mackintosh's Mont Alba demonstrates a designer's eye for pattern along with a seductive, liquid suppleness. It's not all bad news on the modern front either: Callum Innes and Alison Watt both drive towards a deceptively hard-won elegance, and the Boyle Family's curiously disembodied resin and fiberglass Study of Grey Mudcracks... is curiously fascinating. [Jay Shukla]