Cannery Row

Artist William Alexander Burns (Newton Mearns, Scotland, 1921 - 1972)

Datec. 1972

Mediumoil on board

ClassificationsPaintings And Drawings

DimensionsOverall: Height: 101.3 cm, Width: 101.3 cm
Frame: Height: 108 cm, Width: 107.9 cm

AcquisitionPurchased in 1973.

CopyrightOrphan work

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG003291

Keywords

Abstract

About MeBill Burns - a former World War II RAF pilot - studied at Glasgow School of Art and Hospitalfield in Arbroath. His paintings describe the sea towns, harbours and quays of north east Scotland; these images are linked with Burns' love of flying light aircraft and his later, abstracted works seem to be aerial views.

As an artist Burns was principally concerned with mood and atmosphere, conveyed through colour and form. In 'Cannery Row', we see a simplification of form, but not yet the intense, masterful colour upsurge of his abstracted 'sea towns'.

Tragically Bill Burns met an untimely death during a solo flight from Dundee to Aberdeen in 1972.