A Renfrewshire artist is calling on Buddies to help halt the sale of £1.5 million artworks which she says belongs to the people of Paisley.
Eilidh Montague claims Paisley Art Institute (PAI) is acting in bad faith by selling 100 paintings gifted to the organisation for the benefit of the people of the town and the “furtherance” of art in the community.
The 26-year-old illustrator has launched a petition calling on the organisation to abandon the sale of works from the likes of Sir John Lavery, George Henry and Sir James Guthrie – all members of the renowned Glasgow Boys.
PAI confirmed last month how it would sell a quarter of its 400-piece art collection – estimated to be worth £4m – in order to ensure its survival for years to come.
The 150-year-old art club recently moved its membership and art to Glasgow Art Club after a disagreement with Renfrewshire Council over its allocated exhibition space within the new Paisley Museum.
However Eilidh, who grew up looking at paintings created by renowned arts from her home town, said the notion they can sell some of the best regarded art in Scotland is morally wrong.
She told the Paisley Daily Express: “For me there is a massive question over whether or not PAI are able to do this.
“The whole reason they have these paintings is because it was the arts organisation in Paisley, the art was for the people of paisley and for the furtherance of art in Paisley. That is in their constitution.
“The situation we have now is that they are sacrificing that art for their betterment, for the furtherance of the PAI and that fundamentally feels very wrong.”
Eilidh, who grew up in Paisley but now lives in Lochwinnoch, says what is particularly upsetting is the fact that a significant proportion of the art was produced by artists who were born or lived in Paisley.
Several works by the Glasgow Boys – many of whom lived in Paisley and studied at the Paisley Government School of Art Design – will feature in Thursday’s sale.
For Eilidh, these paintings are a poignant reminder to young Buddies of what can be achieved with talent and perseverance.
Arguing that the inspiration of these artists will be lost to future generations of Paisley, she said: “To see art of Paisley by people from Paisley is a profound thing; to know that these paintings are considered meaningful by many in turn makes children feel like they’re meaningful, that their home is meaningful and they too are capable of something meaningful.”
Recognising the challenges facing the PAI and OneRen, the culture and arts arm of Renfrewshire Council, Eilidh states that ultimately it will be the people of Paisley who lose out.
She added: “This is not about whether the museum, PAI, or Renfrewshire Council are right, because the truth is murky brown paint water – everyone’s brush has been in it – the mess is everyone’s and no-one’s.
“But I have read and listened to so much over the past few weeks, but I can only see this as Paisley’s art being taken from the people of Paisley.”
Eilidh’s arguments feature in a long essay she has written on the subject of the sale, may elements of which PAI argue are not accurate.
The charity has confirmed its planned sale will proceed with auctioneers Lyon & Turnbull on September 26.
President Joe Hargan said Eilidh’s argument was “ill informed”, and said the institute was “devastated” at having to leave its home.
It is this week, for the first time in decades, putting much of its artwork on display at Glasgow Art Club as part of its Heritage Exhibition.
Mr Hargan said: “The Paisley Art Institute and its art are not owed by the public.”
He added: “This is a private art collection owned by a charity which can do what it wants with its own assets.”
If you want to sign the petition, log on to https://www.change.org/p/save-the-jewels-of-paisley-plea-to-pai-to-stop-the-auctioning-off-of-historical-art
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