The iron man of Loch Earn hills and rhodos © 2015 Scotiana
At the end of last May, on our road from St Fillans to Glenturret Distillery (the famous “Grouse Experience”) and Drummond Gardens, as we were driving along loch Earn in a lovely area of Perthshire, we suddenly fell upon the enigmatic figure of an iron man emerging from the water like in a sci-fi film …
The iron man of Loch Earn in the Trossachs © 2015 Scotiana
We stopped and discovered a work of art of a strange beauty.
Loch Earn Iron man close-up © 2015 Scotiana
A very original and impressive work of art which immediately arises curiosity…
The iron man of Loch Earn head © 2015 Scotiana
Who made this iron statue and why was it there, we asked ourselves while looking around for a panel giving information about the artist and his work, but we couldn’t find one.
The Four Seasons Hotel sign © 2015 Scotiana
The statue is situated on a lovely little beach, in front of the Four Seasons Hotel.
Had we had more time we would have knocked at the door of the hotel. Indeed, an enchanting place to book a room… the landscape around is truly wonderful !
The Four Seasons Hotel near Loch Earn in Perthshire © 2015 Scotiana
As we wanted to visit Drummond Gardens and Glenturret Distillery we did not linger long on this lovely place and contented ourselves with taking a few pictures and videos of the statue with the intention to try and find information on the internet.
This installation was commissioned by Andrew Low, owner of ‘The Four Seasons Hotel’ at the head of Loch Earn in the small Perthshire village of St Fillans. It’s a wonderful view down this beautiful Loch.
‘ The Four Seasons ‘, particularly with the pier suggests a mood of anticipation, as if the figures are awaiting the return of others sent on a distant passage. It refers to a sense of homecoming, returning and re-connecting to our ancestral roots. The title also refers the passing of time and natural cycle of the seasons, which are physically and metaphorically reflected in the figures.
Rob Mulholland picture © Rob Mulholland
My practice aims to explore all aspects of life. I’m interested in the theme of ancestry and continuity. Our world is in constant flux and our own personal lives are shaped by political and social powers beyond our control. I want to celebrate the individual, explore the resonance we have with the natural environment and convey how we are affected by the elemental forces of life and creation.
His current series of mirrored stainless steel sculptures and installations absorb their environment and reflect the constant flux of movement day by day. This relationship with nature is further explored in Mulholland’s series of de-constructivist sculptures such as ‘ Skytower’ and ‘Random Act of De-constructivism‘ in which the natural forces of wind and gravity appear to re-shape the structural forms.
Rob is currently engaged as Artist in Residence for Cuningar Loop as part of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games Legacy Project. He has been commissioned to create a 6 meter high landmark sculpture at the entrance to the new park and develop a series of art interventions with the communities in the east end of Glasgow.
http://www.robmulholland.co.uk/about-contact/4530071531
‘Coup de coeur’ for Rob Mulholland, this genial artist born in Glasgow, the native place of Charles Rennie Mackintosh! He graduated from Edinburgh College of Art in 1986 and exhibitions of his art have been organized throughout the UK and all over the world.
We’ll try to find the other works of this artist on our next trip to Scotland. Yes, we’ll go to Alloa in search of the invisible creatures !
Enjoy !
A bientôt.
Mairiuna
Rob Mulholland made these invisible sculptures out of mirrored Perspex (or acrylic glass). You can find them in the woods around Alloa, Loch Ard and the David Marshall Lodge in Scotland.
http://webodysseum.com/art/invisible-statues-by-rob-mulholland/
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