Poet, sculptor, printmaker – the work of Ian Hamilton Finlay (1925 – 2006) covers a wide range of media. In this new exhibition, visitors will be able to see a variety of sculptures and prints, as well as never-before-seen archival materials and a room-sized installation.
From the Classical world to the French Revolution, the Enlightenment to World War Two, Finlay often looked to history for inspiration. Recurring motifs including boats, tanks, wallflowers and ships can be spotted throughout the range of artwork that will be on display.
Finlay became a key figure in the concrete poetry movement – a type of visual poetry where words are arranged to create patterns and images on the page. On display are early examples of his work of this type, including the screenprint Star/Steer (1966), which tells the visual tale of a ship navigating stormy seas under the light of the stars, presented through cascading words.
The artist’s first steps into the world of sculpture will also be explored through his days as a hobbyist toy-maker in 1960s Edinburgh. Visitors will be able to see the wooden Toy Cow (1962-63), one of the earliest examples of his sculptural work, alongside photographs of the artist amongst his toy creations.
Visitors can also uncover more about Finlay through a selection of rare archival materials. Objects including letters, personal photographs and notebooks, many of which have never been on display before, will give a unique insight into his inspirations, artwork and life.
Free to visit, and running from 08 March to 26 May 2025, more details are available on Ian Hamilton Finlay.
