On Friday 8th September this year, a devastating earthquake struck Morocco. I don’t know any individuals directly affected by the earthquake but although the epicentre was 70 kilometres south of Marrakech, parts of the Medina were damaged with some buildings in the souks destroyed. I don’t know their names, but I feel that I know the people in my paintings – they have been living with me in my studio through the painting of these pieces – and for them, as a gesture of respect and hope, I have dedicated Marrakech Hope (cat.1), to the people of Morocco. John Brown
Following the Morocco earthquake, British Red Cross has launched an emergency appeal to help support people affected. On Friday 8 September, 11pm local time, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Morocco. The epicentre was in the High Atlas Mountains, approximately 70 kilometres south of Marrakech. A 4.9 magnitude aftershock followed just 20 minutes later. Local authorities are reporting that more than 2,900 people have died, with many more critically injured. The total number of people affected is in the hundreds of thousands. Many of the worst affected areas are remote and mountainous, and the impact of the earthquake has made them even harder to reach. People have lost everything. Homes have been reduced to rubble and survivors are in need of basic support like shelter, food and water.
All proceeds from the sale of this painting will be donated to The British Red Cross. We thank Brien & Brown for donating a bespoke frame.
I have enjoyed taking familiar images down a transitional path from representation toward abstraction.
Brown studied at Glasgow School of Art 1963-8, where he subsequently taught. He worked as the Director of Arts at many Scottish schools, latterly at the Edinburgh Academy. He now paints full-time and is a long-standing exhibitor at RSW, RSA and RGI, winning many awards including the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Association Residency, which formed the basis of his 2011 exhibition. His work is characterised by a rich and vibrant palette and varied use of oil, mixed media and collage. His subjects are often based on particular foreign travel, and previous shows at The Scottish Gallery have included works influenced by trips to Venice, Kerala and Mekong and Cuba. Most recently his works have been inspired by the cycle of growth and regeneration of his garden in Edinburgh. His next exhibition at The Scottish Gallery will take place in the autumn of 2023.