Reflections

In this first exhibition of John Henry Lorimer (1856-1936), curators Charlotte Lorimer and David Patterson present his reflections of light, identity, family, femininity and home. Each theme introduces an additional focus for the paintings, objects and letters on display, some of which have never been exhibited before.

For the curators, all five of these themes are represented by The Flight of the Swallows (1906), a beloved painting for many visitors to The City Art Centre. The painting may have been inspired by the departure of the artist’s sister Alice and her children following a summer at Kellie Castle in Fife. Like the swallows, Alice and her family would have faced a September voyage south, away from Scotland and back to Guyana, where her husband lived and worked. The quote from author Victor Hugo, embedded in the frame, is translated as: ‘Oh it is sad to see the swallows flee! They go towards the golden South.’

Seven years ago, The Flight of the Swallows sparked a conversation between The City Art Centre and The Lorimer Society, an organisation that preserves and promotes the art of the Lorimer family. It is from this conversation that Reflections: The Light and Life of John Henry Lorimer has developed. The exhibition brings together almost fifty works of art and seeks to tell their stories, bringing the brilliance of John Henry Lorimer to light.

The audioguide for Reflections: The light and life of John Henry Lorimer is presented and produced by the exhibition co-curator, Charlotte Lorimer. It includes the panels of text displayed in the exhibition, as well as dramatised readings of family letters and memoirs, performed by Clive Russell, George Lorimer, Ed Wade, Natasha Jobst and Sarah Haynes. The audioguide also includes twelve original poems by Christine de Luca. The exhibition runs from 6th November 2021 to 20th March 2022 at The City Art Centre in Edinburgh.