Large oil canvases portraying the local landscape, still natures, but also Bellany's childhood sea reminiscences onto the «chorals», where human figures mix with the painter's interior tale. A journey where colours of the Garfagnana hills fuse with the landscapes and the tones of the Scottish Highlands.

An artistic journey that was strongly influenced by three life experiences reflected in as many pictorial stages. A first period, his youth, spent in  the fishermen's village of Port Seton, characterised by faces and gestures of fishermen and their tough work in the sea. A second stage, distinguished by a visit to a concentration camp in eastern Germany, where there are canvases of dark and desperate atmospheres.

And finally a third episode that marks a true rebirth for Bellany, receiving a "miracle" with a liver transplant. He moves to Garfagnana and here a new season of life and artistic creation starts with paintings rich with landscapes and local characters (in the photo: Tuscan Family), confirming Bellany's enthusiasm for spontaneity and joviality of the Garfagnana people.

John Bellany is Scotland's most influential living painter, his appearance in the artistic landscape has marked, according to Europe's most influential art critics, " Scottish art's new pride".

John Bellany nella Valle del Serchio; a new Provence
Where: Palazzo Ricci (via Roma 20); Palazzo Angelio (piazza Angelio) and Galleria Comunale (via di Borgo) - Barga Lucca
When: 6 July to 15 September
Opening times: 10 am-1 pm and 5-10.30 pm
Tickets: free
Information: Municipality of Barga tel. +39 0583 724 770 and Fondazione Ricci: +39 0583 724 357
Catalogue: edited by "Arteimmagine" ,Barga, introduction by Scottish art critic Duncan Macmillan

August.2002

John Bellany
Barga News
Province of Lucca