Savage and Tender

Contemporary mixed group/ mixed media exhibition of work by:

Sophie Barnard, Phil Braham, Scott Campbell, Jonathan Delafield Cook, Susan Derges, Laura Ford, Vivienne Haig, Kenny Hunter, Masakatsu Kondo, Polly Morgan, Kyle Noble, Mary-Ann Orr, Kiki Smith, AM Sutton, Hanneline Visnes, Fiona Watson, Matthew Wilson – Venue: Robert Burns Birthplace Museum, Alloway, Ayr, KA7 4PQ (Map) – Dates: 17 November 2013 – 23 March 2014 – Times: Every Day 10am – 5pm (Admission free)


Savage and tender‘ were words chosen by Robert Burns, a keen observer of the world of nature, for inclusion in a song he wrote – “Song Composed in August”, more commonly known as “Now Westlin’ Winds”. Seventeen artists have been invited to submit work on this theme. The resulting work can be seen in a stunning exhibition of contemporary art at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. Savage and Tender brings together an exciting group of artists, working in a range of media such as drawing, painting, printing, sculpture and taxidermy. Most of the artists selected are internationally known, but there is also some new, emerging talent on show. Alongside the established artists, Programme Manager Sheilagh Tennant has chosen an artist from each of this year’s Scottish Art College Degree Shows: Kyle Noble, Mary- Ann Orr, AM Sutton and Matthew Wilson. These are all selling exhibitions, with a proportion of sales going towards caring for the nation’s premier Burns collection. Programme manager Sheilagh Tennant says:

“In our next exhibition, “Savage and Tender”, each artist’s interpretation is very interesting and highly individual. Their work is both thought provoking and sometimes, perhaps, surprising”.

Museum Director Nat Edwards says:

“With each new exhibition, the contemporary exhibition programme offers yet another opportunity for the museum’s permanent collection to be seen in a different light.”

This programme is part of a new project, “Burn Bridges: New Perspectives on Robert Burns” which is supported by a recent award from Museums Galleries Scotland