BRICKFIELDS PROJECT
This is an initial round-robin to artists and colleagues on a project MERZ is sounding-out to explore developing the remains of Sanquhar’s former brick workings. The area very loosely encircled in red on the map comprises a couple of remaining buildings (fewer than shown on this early map) with some rough grass land with a... Read More
Olivia Irvine & Isabelle Bonzom : Update on Fresco at MERZ
Olivia Irvine and Isabelle Bonzom outline the processes and techniques involved in the recent fresco painted by Olivia at MERZ under Isabelle’s guidance. With an update from August 2023 as Olivia completes her fresco.
Collage : Satire, Defamation & Fakery
Exhibition at MERZ throughout September 2023 that explores links between Collage : Satire, Defamation & Fakery.
Adam Wynn : Exhibition Contributor
Adam Wynn is one of a dozen contributors to the exhibition Collage : Satire, Defamation and Fakery on at MERZ throughout September. The exhibition is a prelude to the MERZ Workshop-Residency, Collage & Social Purpose being held throughout October 2023.
Yoni Newman – Artist in Residence
Yoni Newman was in residence at MERZ for August. Yoni decided to work small on intimate landscape drawings inspired by the surrounding area where he went running most days.
Collage : Satire, Defamation & Fakery
Collage: Satire, Defamation & Fakery explores collage’s social engagement in speaking truth(s) to power. Boundaries help distinguish our personal and professional responsibilities from those of others. Forced stereotypes contribute to bigotry much supported by slander and libel or defamation. Collage lends itself well to satire, to anticipate the consequences of poor leadership and self-inflated... Read More
The Body Mends : Connie Michele Morey
Connie Michele Morey was artist in residence at MERZ in July and August. Connie writes, “I am exploring my role in holding space for and healing intergenerational violence of the colonial system that continues to impact indigenous communities, and therefore all of us, in Canada and many parts of the globe.”
More photos of Artist Residency accommodation at MERZ
At MERZ we’ve completed building work (for a while!). MERZ now offers three bedroom accommodation at no 5 (or configured as two bedrooms upstairs with a living room and studio downstairs, and with recently added wood-burner), the Bothy has its loft-bed and Murphy-bed, both double-beds, while Tadpole has a king-sized loft-bed and Snug –... Read More
Alan Robinson : New MERZ Window
Stained Glass artist Alan Robinson recently completed his second window for MERZ. This window is located in Snug, the micro-flat within the MERZ staff-flat in Sanquhar. Alan incorporated locally found pottery, offcuts of Victorian stained glass as well as newly painted glass to depict elements of the four residential buildings at MERZ. Installed as part... Read More
Bettina Homann – Die Struckerei (A Poem of Labour)
The thread of this knitted work by Bettina Homann was spun from local words: it consists of the lines of the poem ‘Poem of Labour’ by the railwayman and poet Alexander Anderson, in which he glorifies the hard working men in the Upper Nithsdale area. The hours of tedious and laborious work of spinning and... Read More
Art Particles : Museum of Model Art
David Rushton‘s Art Particles 1/24th scale models opened on 27th May 2023 at the Museum of Model Art having been shown at the first Sanquhar Arts Festival in May 2019. The latest exhibition included the earliest of Rushton‘s models, a set design for The Rattle of a Simple Man from 1966. Alongside Art Particles was... Read More
MERZ : Impressions of Sanquhar
David Rushton’s ‘impression pot’ and Kristin Powers’ sculpture as ‘work in progress’ Impressions of Sanquhar at MERZ showcased the work of Kristin Powers and David Rushton to realise a possible new ceramics studio in Sanquhar: using local clay from the former brick-fields. If successful the ceramics studio will offer local training in pottery, development of... Read More
Impressions of MERZ : Florian Kaplick
As the finale to a wonderful evening interpreting Kurt Schwitters’ and Dada poetry – and with the help of A’ the Airts Youth Theatre – Florian Kaplick finished the evening with a collage of Beethoven and Schwiiters. WAR (2) presented the English (2023) version of Kurt Schwitters‘ ‘Moon‘ and Beethoven‘s Moonlight Sonata with piano and... Read More
COLLAGE & SOCIAL PURPOSE : WORKSHOP RESIDENCIES October 2023
The October 2023 Workshop-Residencies at MERZ will explore collage as a contemporary working method informed by history and ideology. MERZ is inspired by the working experiences of Kurt Schwitters and Hannah Höch. This 28 day residency will support artists to interpret three themes introduced during Workshops in week one. The Workshop Week will demonstrate how... Read More
Justin Tuttle : Kolaj Artist Workshop
Justin Tuttle arrived at MERZ for a week’s collage workshop with the Kolaj Institute. Titled ‘Passing Place’ three groups of ten artists have been exploring place and community in and around Sanquhar.
Heather Stearns : Kolaj Artist Workshop
Heather Stearns arrived at MERZ for a week’s collage workshop with the Kolaj Institute. Titled ‘Passing Place’ three groups of ten artists have been exploring place and community identity in and around Sanquhar.
On Request : MERZ in 2009
Fourteen years ago the MERZ site was an abandoned and derelict plumbers’ yard. There were two remaining buildings from Sanquhar’s former ‘lemonade’ factory of the 1890s, or Sharps Aerated Water Company. Work began on repairing and repurposing the brick built factory to open as MERZ Gallery. In 2011 MERZ Gallery opened with David Rushton‘s exhibition... Read More
Janice Horne : Kolaj Artist Workshop
Janice Horne arrived at MERZ for a week’s collage workshop with the Kolaj Institute. Titled ‘Passing Place’ three groups of ten artists have been exploring place and community identity in and around Sanquhar.