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Untitled [from the Cathedral Suite]

Artist: Fleming, Ian, RSA, Dr · 1906-1994Printer: Peacock PrintmakersPrintmaker, master collaborative: Watson, Arthur, PPRSA RSA · b. 1951

Untitled [from the Cathedral Suite]

The present work was printed at Peacock Printmakers in Aberdeen. It is from a series titled the Cathedral Suite and combines imagery with text.…

The present work was printed at Peacock Printmakers in Aberdeen.

It is from a series titled the Cathedral Suite and combines imagery with text. Fleming also used extensive text in his Comments Suite of etchings.

The left and central images feature the facade of the category-A listed St Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral on Aberdeen's King Street. Originally built in 1817 it is unusual amongst Aberdeen's churches in having a facade of sandstone rather than granite.

It underwent extensions and refurbishment throughout its history including the erection of the front porch in 1911 by Sir Robert Lorimer RSA.

The text on the print suggests that the church (as originally designated until 1914) was restored in 1984. This is slightly confusing. In 1982, the year the print was made, a large crucifix and candles were removed internally to allow a Westward-facing Eucharist. In 1983 the Cathedral's Trustees' launched a major appeal to raise £150,000 to finance essential repairs. In 1984 the organ was completely rebuilt but there was no structural work carried out on the building.

The right hand image shows the metal gate at the entrance to Peacock Close off the city's Castlegate. It was at this location, 21 Castle Street, that the Peacock Printmakers was co-founded by Fleming and Arthur Watson in the summer of 1974. The sign on the gate is for the Printmakers and the bearded man who holds the railings and peers through the gate is Arthur Watson.

The print carries a gift inscription from Fleming to watson and his then wife Joyce W Cairns.

Watson is the figure seen at the right hand side of the print peering through the metal gate at he access to Peacock Close in Aberdeen where Peacock Printmakers which he co-founded in 1974 was located.

The work is part of one of many projects involving Scottish artists working in collaboration with Peacock

© The Artist's Estate