This first institutional exhibition in over a decade highlights Margaret Mellis' contemplative, yet playful driftwood constructions, now often seen as the culmination of her practice.
British artist Margaret Mellis (1914-2009), is one of the first and last survivors of the group of modernist artists that came together in St Ives, Cornwall in the 1940s.
Modernist Constructs tells the story of Mellis’ progression from art student at Edinburgh College of Art, honing her practice under the tutelage of Scottish Colourist Samuel Peploe and in a period of early experimental practice. It also looks at her contemplative, yet playful driftwood constructions that dominated the final 20 years of her life and work, now often seen as the culmination of her practice