National Portrait Gallery
Address Queen Street
Reviewers JoyLiz

Stanley Spencer: Men of Clyde

As well as being a beautiful building, with permanent displays, there are various exhibitions worth a visit during the festival.

Stanley Spencer (1891-1959), an idiosyncratic English painter, was commissioned as a war artist to document the work of Port Glasgow ship yards. This he did between 1940-47 in a series of large format paintings which he paralleled to religious frescoes. Being a religious (in the broadest form) man, he used the imagery of Christ- crucifixion and resurrection- in his work. It permeates the series depicting toil in the ship yard (crucifixion) and the ones entitled 'resurrection' in which the families are reunited as they emerge from the church yard graves.

This is a historically interesting exhibition depicting what has been a proud industry, now in its twilight, populated by men who look like 'fimo' statues with expressionless faces, in positions of exaggerated perspective, creating intricate pattern across the canvas. There is a 10 minute video which sounds as though the Queen is commentating, but is otherwise quite interesting. It shows Henry Moore and Paul Nash, and other war artists.

Picture Yourself

This exhibition shows several artists depiction of famous personages. There are varied styles from photomontage through expressionist to realistic representation. The subjects are also varied, from the Queen mother to celebrities. An interesting feature is the camera set up where you can pay to have your portrait taken and you may (unrecognisably) be displayed, with the 'good and famous'or you can take it away with you. Runs until 31st Dec

The Art of Documentary

This is a photographic exhibition of about a dozen photographers in and from Scotland showing aspects of life as it has been led over more than a century. It starts chronologically with calotype photographs by Adamson of the Newhaven fishing community (before it became part of Edinburgh) through life in the depression in Glasgow and Dundee; to more recent photographs showing the products of the 'hunt' be that wild life or prostitutes. There are some charming ones of people just 'living'. Most are black and white photographs. A visual journey through the history of the past 150 years.

Runs until 3rd September.

Open during Festival (30 July - 3rd Sept) Mon-Sat 10.00-18.00 Sunday 11:00- 18:00hrs Normally Mon-Sat 10:00- 17:00 Sunday 12:00-17:00hrs Admission free

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