It is hard to believe that three years have passed since our last newsletter. At the time France beckoned, with the prospect of an exciting new life in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Ivar Mackay and I, our piano, pots, and four cats fetched up in the tiny Aude hamlet of Seignlens in September 2007.

Our plan had been to renovate our house and convert a barn into a porcelain studio for Ivar. Ivar would build a kiln and prepare work for his next exhibition. Within months both our mothers’ health began to deteriorate, and over the following two years we set aside our timetable to support them in their own homes.

This spring Ivar commissioned his new kiln in preparation for his second solo show at the Scottish Gallery in Edinburgh. “In View of the Pyrenees” will open on 6 October. Ivar will be coming to the preview and looks forward to meeting those of you who are able to attend.

Contact Christina Jansen at the Scottish Gallery for further information about the preview.

Ivar Mackay In View of the Pyrenees

6 – 30 October 2010

Private View Tuesday 5 October 6.30 – 8.30pm

Exhibition can be viewed online at www.scottish-gallery.co.uk/ivarmackay

“The granite and limestone geologies of the Languedoc Roussillon - Pyrenees to the south, Black Mountains to the north, with their sharp charcoal skylines, snow fields in early summer, deep cracks, caves and potholes - are a striking influence on the matt blacks in the new work of Ivar Mackay.

From the mezzanine that he built to look at the mountains Ivar has observed the intensity, too, of the southern French blue skies that turn to deep cobalt in the evening, shot through with golden light.

These pieces in hand thrown porcelain - matt blacks with their white rims and wax resist fissuring, frothings of celadon overlay, and the intense and reflective cobalts, silvered and gilded - are a distillation of the strongest elements in the new landscape that now surrounds Ivar Mackay.”

THE SCOTTISH GALLERY

16 Dundas Street, Edinburgh EH3 6HZ.

Tel 0131 558 1200 Email mail@scottish-gallery.co.uk Web www.scottish-gallery.co.uk

Amongst the highlights of the last three years - our quiet wedding here in the village Mairie in December 2007; rediscovering the joys of cycling on empty roads; kingfishers and coypus on the Canal du Midi; the plethora of wild orchids on our doorstep. Living and working ‘in view of the Pyrenees’ has challenged us to embrace a new French lifestyle that has brought us both happiness and plenty of new inspiration.

We look forward to welcoming you on your travels in the Languedoc.

A bientôt! 

Ivar and Francesca Mackay

Seignalens, France