Date Published:
Monday 09 February 2004
Linda's legacy
LINDA McCartney's final photographic project makes for
a fascinating new exhibition that has gone on public display, for only the
third time, in Poole.
Light From Within is a simple show of 30 prints from
the book of the same name that Linda was working on, (along with daughter
Mary), at the time of her death.
And following prestigious shows in London and
Manchester, the burgeoning Ashley Cross, Lower Parkstone, gallery of Harris
Interiors has pulled off an art-world coup and secured only the third public
showing of the captivating collection.
"There's a lot of kudos attached to the
exhibition and we're really pleased we've been able to pull it off," says
Caroline Harris, who runs Harris Interiors with husband Nick.
"This isn't a touring exhibition and it took a
lot of negotiation with the agent as we all wanted to put it on when there was
nothing much else going on in the McCartney family that could detract in any
way from the photographs."
The shots are taken from 30 years of Linda's life -
from the mid-1960s, when she was house photographer at the renowned Fillmore
East venue in New York, up to a self-portrait taken in Francis Bacon's studio a
few months before Linda succumbed to breast cancer in April, 1998.
Pictures of rock stars like the Grateful Dead and
Janis Joplin are surrounded by rare and candid family shots as well as more
experimental work.
There are several shots of Paul McCartney with their
children, James, Mary, Heather and Stella, which are bound to create a lot of
interest, but just as revealing are images such as Spanish Bull or Press which
show Linda's keen eye for a good photo opportunity.
Sometimes funny, sometimes serious, at other times she
captured almost surreal images.
On one level the exhibition is a collection of snaps,
but these are snaps taken by a world-class photographer who imbued her work
with the simple humanity that those who knew her have often spoken of.
"It has been amazing to see the number of people
who have stopped and looked in the window. They'll come in and ask `Is it the
Linda McCartney?'; and yes it is folks!" says Nick of the show which
opened last weekend.
Nick and Caroline, both 33, moved to Dorset in 2002
from London where Nick worked as an interior designer and Caroline managed the
celebrated Hamilton's art gallery in Mayfair for Green Shield Stamps heir Tim
Jeffries; and the famed HackelBury Fine Art in Kensington.
They opened Harris Interiors last March.
"We didn't want this to feel like a traditional
art gallery, which can be quite intimidating," says Nick.
"The great thing about the Linda McCartney show
is that it will tempt people who wouldn't normally look at an art exhibition.
And it is a selling exhibition, so people will be able to buy prints at a price
that's realistic."
Realistic means a black and white print will set you
back the thick end of a grand, but this is art out of the top drawer, not a
mass-produced poster to cover a bedroom wall.
And if your budget precludes snapping up a Linda
McCartney, Nick says there is original art available to suit all purses, as
more and more people are finding out as they take advantage of the Harris’ art
consultancy.
"It doesn't have to be vastly expensive. We'd
always advise people to buy something they love and enjoy, because art should
be shown not shut away.
"It's something you can pass on, and if they decide
they don't like it they can always put it up for auction and see a
return."
Caroline adds: "And if people like a certain
piece but want it in purple to match their cushions, we have artists working
for us who do commissions so we can arrange that as well!"
The Linda McCartney show is followed in March by an
exhibition of large-scale seascapes by photographic artist Mike Perry, which
comes to Harris Interiors ahead of a summer opening at the Photographers'
Gallery, London.
Linda
McCartney: Light From Within runs until February 28 at Harris Interiors, 33
Church Road, Ashley Cross. Tuesday to Saturday, 10am-5pm. Call 01202 744081