The Rites of Spring

ArtistAssociated with Arthur J. Watson (Aberdeen, Scotland, born 1951)

Date1977

Object NameScreenprint

Mediumscreenprint on paper

ClassificationsPrints

DimensionsPaper Size: 55.8 x 75.9 cm

AcquisitionPresented in 2004 by Professor Paul Mitchell.

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDMS095782

About MeArthur Watson was a founding member of Peacock, its first member of staff and first Director.

In 1977, the Scottish Arts Council offered a commission to each of the four Scottish Print Workshops; Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and at that time, Montrose. They set the theme of The Rites of Spring and left each workshop to select the two artists. At Peacock, the two were Alan Cowie and Arthur Watson.

Arthur Watson recalled: “At this time, I was making wrapped sculptures which could be displayed in different ways, either with the wrapping or strapped up or unwrapped moving across the gallery’s floor. So, it was a short journey to this shedding of winter tone and exposing springtime colours.”