Allan Watson
b 1960, Blairgowrie, Perthshire
About the artist
Allan Watson studied sculpture at Grays School of Art. He grew
up on a farm in the heart of the countryside, where he worked
on the land, picking potatoes and fruit during his holidays. He
has always been fascinated with repetition, in particular with
the processes and skills of working with ones hands
repetitively, especially on a farm. Alan believes that repetitive
activity can provoke a meditative state that helps to develop his
imagination.
Alan is also conscious of the visibility of his labour, for example
when he stands back to look at what he has achieved. He has
been influenced by the space on the hillside where his family
farm was and particularly where people place themselves in
connection with the horizon. This interest has affected how he
views each site that he chooses for his outdoor sculptural work.
Beacon (1994),Tyrebagger
Sculpture Project©Allan Watson
Alan Watson sees himself as an Artist Teacher and this role influences his current practice. He is
based in Aberdeen, where he is Head of Fine Art at Grays School of Art.
About the work
The “Beacon” is one of many outdoor works by different artists which make up the Tyrebagger
Sculpture trail. It is a tall plant-like shape sited in the middle of the forest. It is made from shiny
stainless steel and the surface is highly reflective, like a mirror.
www.educationscotland.gov.uk/marksonthelandscape
The work is set on a mound elevating the sculpture and acting as ‘a natural plinth’. It is sited in a
space to allow for plenty of light to reflect off the surface of the metal, but the site within the forest
stops it being viewed from a distance.
Context
Alan Watson was commissioned to create this sculpture in response to the area of the North-East of
Scotland. He set to make a structure that would be in deliberate contrast with nature. He chose a site
within the forest that had a natural conical shaped mound on which to erect his work.
Alan’s idea emerged from what was familiar to the area and things which had a specific significance.
Shapes could be seen to represent the ploughed fields, waves from the sea or a large flame
representing the oil and gas industry. His background in farming influences his ideas too; Tyrebagger
is a working forest and the use of the industrial stainless steel reinforces this idea.
The choice of the mirror finish was not only in reference to some of the hi-tech industry to be found in
the area, but also a desire that the sculpture would blend into its surroundings. In some ways this is
in contrast to the title of the work ‘The Beacon’, which would suggests that the work should stand out
– perhaps prominent on a hill as a signal or a warning. Interestingly, the site of the work is an
enclosed space, which contradicts the function of a beacon being seen from a distance.
Materials and processes
Alan Watson has chosen to work in metal as it reflects the
industry of the rural landscape, namely forestry and
farming. Alan is interested in the skills and processes of
working with metal and this is demonstrated in the rivets
that are visibly holding the sheets of metal together. The
metal surface physically integrates with the surroundings
and the effect of this reinforces the ambiguous shape Alan
has used for the work. The shape suggests a flame or fire
and the reflection of the moving trees on the metallic
surface gives the impression of movement as in a flame.
Beacon (1994),Tyrebagger Sculpture Project ©Allan Watson
www.educationscotland.gov.uk/marksonthelandscape