- Work inspired by natural landscape “reflect need to stay connected with nature at a time when technological progress draws us further indoors and deeper online”
- Praise at preview evening with Dundas Street Gallery showcase running until March 22
Wild water swimming – and the landscape in which it is embraced and enjoyed – has inspired a new exhibition of paintings.
Hymn From a Valley by Ryan McGoverne opened to the public yesterday (Friday March 13) at Dundas Street Gallery in central Edinburgh. It runs until March 22.
Invited guests from Lindsays, the city legal firm sponsoring the exhibition, enjoyed a special preview evening on Thursday.
The collection of oil paintings depict figures immersed in natural bodies of water, many of them locations from throughout the Lothians and Scottish Borders.
Ryan, who lives in Biggar, said: “The work is inspired by our natural landscape and open water wild swimming – celebrating a life-affirming, temporary disconnection from the modern world.
“The paintings reflect a need to stay connected with nature at a time when technological progress draws us further indoors and deeper online.
“Each work shows a simple nourishment for the soul. They make a positive and quiet statement about action – about embracing life, nature and beauty with courage and curiosity.
“They depict places of accessible tranquility found just behind our roads, towns and cities, capturing the emotional and physical experience of cold open-water immersion.
“I am really grateful to Lindsays for their sponsorship, which has allowed me to share this work, of which I am incredibly proud.”
The exhibition is a celebration of immersing yourself in nature – something Ryan himself has done in order to create the work, which is in the tradition of Impressionist greats including Degas and Manet.
The artist, who completed a Masters in Fine Art through Cardiff University and Kansas State University, began exploring landscapes in detail following the coronavirus pandemic.
He discovered the diverse and accessible beauty of the landscape which surrounds where he lives.
And, looking at how people spend time in it, became intrigued by wild swimming and cold water immersion as its popularity has grown across Scotland – so much so that he too is now also a wild swimmer.
Ryan, who is also a corporate and commercial photographer, said: “I thought I couldn’t do it. But then I got to know people who convinced me otherwise.
“In January last year, I took myself to a reservoir. It was obviously one of the coldest times of the year. It felt amazing.
“The exhibition celebrates that feeling. It’s a call for people to get out there and enjoy the wonderful, accessible landscape that we have.
“Cold water immersion is good for the soul – for your mental and physical health. It can give you huge confidence – such a boost. The work which features in the exhibition celebrates that.”
Guests at Thursday’s preview evening were impressed by what they saw. They included lawyers and clients from sponsors Lindsays.
Ryan has been commissioned by the firm for many years in his “other” role of corporate photographer.
Andrew Diamond, Managing Partner at Lindsays, said: “This really is an impressive and memorable collection of work.
“It really gives you a sense of not only the elation that cold water immersion gives, but the confidence that flows from it.
“It is a reminder too of the amazing landscape that we are blessed to have – and how taking time away from our screens to enjoy it can make a positive difference to our lives.
“As a firm, we have worked with Ryan for over a decade. It’s a pleasure for us to be able to support this side of its work.”
Lindsays has a strong track record of supporting the arts. The firm has supported the ArTay programme in Perth in recent years, as well as sponsoring a number of events in Edinburgh, including Van Gogh Alive with SAMH, Art Friends of St Columba’s Hospice and Postcards for the Sick Kids Friends Foundation in previous years.
More details about Ryan’s work can be found at www.ryanmcgoverne.co.uk.