Richard De Marco, Scottish European of the Year 2025, had accepted another work by Ronald Rae into the Foundation collection, just in time for it’s export to the Muzeum Sztuki. The Sztuki, in Lodz, is one of the oldest and most prestigious Galleries in Europe, and its acquisition of the De Marco collection and archives marks a deep connection between the Scottish and Polish peoples, and De Marco’s efforts to create a wider bond between European nations, promoting a shared history, spirit and understanding. Richard De Marco is draw to the humane and universal expressionism of Rae’s work, and the present acquisition, ‘An Inner Life II‘ from 1984 (celebrating the life-force of people with disabilities, and exhibited ConvergeDiverge, 2023-24), joins the earlier ‘The Betrayal n.8‘ of 1980, acquisition n.1193.
This work, dated according to the newspaper from or soon after 15th December 2018, extends our understanding of the length and breadth of the Daily Telegraph series. We previously believed that the series ended in 2017. This work relates to a very dark time for Rae, as his second wife Pauline, was seriously ill with cancer at this time. There are believed to be over 1000 biro drawings in this series alone.
This joint retrospective exhibition continues at Rozelle House in Ayr until 28th January 2024, then moves to Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries. Open 7 days – catch it while you can! All sales enquiries to Gerber Fine Art in Glasgow 0141 2216370
The featured image is one of two hundred from the Book of Faces, from 1995. These were made in biro on scraps of paper, and were drawn from memory after encountering people in the London Tube, at the Edinburgh Festival, and in hospitals. This image c. 25 x 40 mm.
A major joint retrospective of Rae’s work together with that of his friend of 50 years Gordon Cockburn (1944-2022) is opening at Rozelle Gallery in Ayr on 18 November 2023 to 28 January 2024. This non-selling exhibition then tours to the Gracefield Arts Centre in Dumfries and the Baird Institute in Cumnock over the next 10 months. Ronald Rae’s small sculptures, found objects, graphic work and paintings will be featured. The exhibition is marked by a published catalogue and an exhibition-only digital print limited to an edition of 25 has been created with the help of the Glasgow Print Studio (retails at £220).
An artist monograph on the life and work of Ronald Rae written by Robert De Mey is published on 17 November 2023 by Unicorn Publishing Group. This details his origins, his self-education, influences, practice and diversity as an artists across multiple different media.
To see unique footage of the creation of the Baby Elephant go to the right margin at LATEST NEWS ON VIDEO scroll down to Ronald Rae returns to carving granite Parts One, Two, Three to its completion in Part Four.
Ronald Rae’s latest sculptures Baby Elephant and Gorilla Family were exhibited from August till November 2015 at Edinburgh Airport’s new plaza to welcome visitors to the Festival City. The site for the Baby Elephant was next to Africa on the world map on the tarmac making a powerful statement about the plight of these wild and wonderful creatures. The Baby Elephant is now on exhibition at the West End of Edinburgh and the Gorilla Family has joined the Ronald Rae Exhibition at the Falkirk Wheel where ten sculptures are displayed.
The plaza links the East Terminal to the Tram Terminus. The tram goes to the city centre with a stop at St Andrew Square where visitors can see another Ronald Rae endangered species – the 20 tonne Lion.
In Spring 2014 Man of Sorrows moved from The Falkirk Wheel Exhibition to Warwickshire. It is always a happy day for Ronald Rae when he moves a sculpture to its final home. He likes to be there to oversee the installation and to make sure the client is happy too. This short video shows what a convivial experience it can be.
Watch the last hammer blows of Ronald Rae’s Gorilla Family sculpture which he completed on 23rd January 2014. The sculpture took him seven months to carve. Every time he finishes a work he says this will definitely be his last granite sculpture – his mind is willing but his body says emphatically “No!” Only time will tell…
Hand-carved granite sculptures in public and private collections
