Nigel Peake @ Schop

Article by Sophie George | 19 Aug 2009

A cross between Edward Monkton graphic-like charm and the precision and dedication of William Playfair, this exhibition will appeal to both the trained and untrained eye.

The relationship between art and architecture has always been under discussion. When do architectural drawings cease to be purely technical and become artworks in themselves? Nigel Peake, who trained as an architect in Edinburgh, is obviously a skilled draughtsman and, like any good architect, he has mastered the art of line weights, hatching, precision, attention to detail and a preference for monochrome.

However, the most successful aspect of these drawings is their sense of fun. Stylised and quirky, these would be equally at home in a family kitchen or child's bedroom. While a lot of the work is architectural – including city plans, elevations, and perspective sketches of ramshackle sheds and houses – there are also some more abstract pieces, such as Trails, that will leave you wondering, is it a ship, a whale, a landscape or merely a pattern? Either way, it's interesting to ponder and is an exhibition that can be enjoyed by adults and children alike. 

Schop, 36 St Mary's Street, 3-29 Aug, 10am-6pm. Free