Air Iomlaid

Air Iomlaid, or ‘On Exchange’, is a collaborative project involving primary school pupils from both Edinburgh and Skye who underwent intensive art training, led by artist Julie Brook. With not a single finger painting in sight, you can forget sticky-backed plastic and Fairy Liquid bottles, leave your Blue Peter badges at home, and prepare for some inspiring, amazing and exciting children’s artwork.

It is sad but true that art education is often neglected and half-hearted, with the result being that no one really looks at a child’s creation, except perhaps a doting parent. However, frame them and hang them in a contemporary art gallery, especially one with the Fruitmarket’s style and flawless execution, and it forces you to really respond to the work being produced. Combine this with the fact that Julie Brook encouraged personal style and originality, and you are left with a surprising result.

As the exhibition name suggests, the kids went on an exchange between Edinburgh and Skye, inspiring the subject matter for the paintings which range from Arthur’s Seat to fishing boats. Highlights include Eleanor Byron’s Edinburgh Castle with her confident use of charcoal, the trees being a particular triumph. Equally wonderful is Caleb Moore’s Kyleakin, Skye, which contrasts minute detailing with an exuberant treatment of colour. Finally, the spectacular large scale charcoal compositions, completed collaboratively by all the students, are dynamic and expressive.

Put quite simply Air Iomlaid is not just the world seen through a child’s eyes: it is real, valuable, interesting and, above all, worthy art.