by Mary-Jane Selwood, trustee, Anderson (Local Collection) Trust
A new exhibition in Helensburgh Library marks the centenary of Ailsa Tanner (1923 – 2002), a talented and much-loved local artist and a founder trustee of the Anderson (Local Collection) Trust.
The exhibition is open to the public during library hours from June 3 to July 1.
Ailsa Tanner needs no introduction in Helensburgh.
Her simple smocks in varying symphonies of colours, her stern plaited hair style, belying her friendly smile and that bright sparkle in her eyes, inspired instant respect and affection.
Yet for all the warmth of her personality, Ailsa was a very private person and to those who regret not knowing her more intimately, this exhibition offers a unique opportunity of understanding her through her work. I suspect that is the way she most wished to be remembered.
Nine paintings on display from the Anderson Trust Local Collection form the nucleus of this exhibition, splendidly augmented thanks to loans from private collectors.
Together they help to demonstrate the scope of Ailsa’s subject matter – landscape, flowers, portraits – and her distinctive bold style and joyous use of colour which defies classification.
Many of her local scenes – Suffolk Street in Winter and Helensburgh from the Barley Field, for example – capture not simply a view but the spirit of the place which remains unchanged; others, such as Craigendoran Pier present at once a historic record and the artist’s personal response to a passing age.
Reflecting on Ailsa’s approach to painting her daughter, Bridget, commented: “She loved the honest disorder and clutter of real life – piles of fishing nets, working fishing ports, old boats decaying gracefully, washing lines, agricultural machinery…… Not the modern picture-perfect urbanisation that steals the heart & soul of so many towns and villages.
“Her flowers and trees were never prinked, but had a natural wonkiness. And the weather was always central to her paintings and her train of thought!”
Ailsa Tanner was born in Kilmarnock, but spent most of her childhood in Shanghai where her father was medical officer of health.
Both her parents painted. Her mother was the distinguished artist, Eleanor Robertson (nee Moore) one of the ‘Glasgow Girls’. From her parents, Ailsa inherited a spirit of independence, a liking for travel and a leaning towards the arts.
On leaving school Ailsa completed the strenuous double degree course from Edinburgh University and Edinburgh College of Art. Although her early childhood and her student years took her away from her roots, Ailsa drew her inspiration predominantly from the West of Scotland where she felt she belonged.
On graduating, she worked in the fine art department of Kelvingrove Museum until her marriage to Philip Tanner and move to Helensburgh in 1956.
Domestic life and three children did not diminish Ailsa’s energy and determination for some memorable achievements as artist and researcher.
As an academic she was responsible for curating exhibitions of the work of several neglected artists of the early 20th century.
In 2001, Ailsa wrote and published what has become the definitive biography of the hitherto little-known artist Bessie MacNicol.
Ailsa Tanner was a founder trustee of the Anderson Trust when it was established in 1980 on the death of its donor, Nance Anderson.
Her wide knowledge and meticulous scholarship helped to establish and maintain this collection of paintings as a valuable resource for Helensburgh. The trustees are glad to acknowledge her great contribution through this exhibition.
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