Art
Rock House has always made things. This is the story of its ongoing life as a subject and a studio for artists, and the series it inspired in 2017.
The Connection
Rock House has a unique and transformative connection with Scottish photography and art. Hill and Adamson pioneered Scottish photography from their studio here, and Hill later painted his renowned Disruption of 1843 masterpiece at the house, recording the day over 450 ministers walked out of the Church of Scotland to found the Free Church of Scotland.
By any measure, Rock House is defined by its connections with Scottish photography and art. As the present custodians of the house, our aim is to re-establish and nurture that connection for a new generation.
In the spring of 2017 we connected with the Edinburgh-born painter Alastair Gordon. Although now based in London, Alastair remains closely involved in the city’s art scene through his teaching at the Leith School of Art. He was the natural choice to help us shape an art strategy for Rock House.
Rock, Silver and Salt
Alastair’s inaugural residency took place in the summer of 2017, when he stayed with his family in the Terrace apartment. His time at the house wove its history together with its present, producing a thoughtful series entitled “Rock, Silver and Salt”, named for the chemistry Hill and Adamson used to fix their calotypes.
Alastair’s signature style draws on a 17th-century technique called quodlibet, Latin for “what you will”. It is a form of illusionism in which truth and reality traverse with artistic skill: is it a piece of tape, a calotype photograph, or simply skilfully applied paint. See what you will for yourself.
In the Artist’s Words
These paintings and drawings were inspired by my artist residency at Rock House. With a history as rich and interesting as that housed within its walls, it did not take long to find a subject. I was particularly drawn by the legacy of Hill and Adamson, their place in the story of Scottish art, and the lasting imprint their calotypes left on the landscape of Edinburgh.
The four prints are based on calotypes by Hill and Adamson, paired with my own paintings of the house. The drawings were observed from the cemetery just below Rock House, the Old Calton burial ground. With pencil in hand I was mindful of the company I kept: from poets and priests to whisky distillers and crooks, the Old Calton burial ground is home to a curious cast of characters.
Alastair Gordon
The Collection
Paintings, drawings and limited edition pigment prints made during and after the 2017 residency.
Available by Enquiry
The works and a limited edition of prints from “Rock, Silver and Salt” are available by enquiry. Email us directly and we will be glad to help.
