Aberdeen Treasure Hub is new home for artwork by renowned artist
20 July 2017
The Lord Provost of Aberdeen Barney Crockett visited Aberdeen Treasure Hub yesterday (Wednesday 19 July) to view a painting gifted to the city by renowned artist Alberto Morrocco.
Still Life with Flowers, which depicts a vase of flowers, was gifted to Causewayend School, which Morrocco attended as a child. When the school closed in 2008 the painting was transferred to Sunnybank School, which the artist also attended in his early years.
The painting is now under the curatorial care of Aberdeen Art Gallery and Museums at Aberdeen Treasure Hub, Granitehill, in Northfield.
Born in Aberdeen in 1917, Alberto Morrocco studied at Gray's School of Art from 1932-1938 and in France, Italy and Switzerland. He is famous for his landscapes in Scotland and abroad, still-life, figure painting and interiors.
He is best known works are his beach scenes and views of Venice. Morrocco was a decorative artist who used a rich and varied palette. He was also influential as a teacher, teaching part-time at Gray's and becoming head of painting at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in 1950. He died in 1998.
The Lord Provost said: “Aberdeen’s collection of Morrocco’s work really is one of the city’s treasures and it’s great to see this painting in the hands of our expert team of curators. I’m hopeful more people will now get a chance to see the piece and learn more about the artist.
“Aberdeen Treasure Hub enables the City’s Collections to be stored in the best possible conditions to preserve them for future generations, and I would encourage people to take the time to go on a tour of this outstanding facility as it’s really worth a visit.”
Christine Rew, Art Gallery & Museums manager, Aberdeen City Council, said: “This is a beautiful painting by a much admired Scottish artist. Aberdeen Treasure Hub houses many works of art by renowned artists and we’re delighted that this work by Morrocco has joined them. Members of public can view paintings and many more historical items from the Collections during Hub tours.”
Aberdeen Treasure Hub, which officially opened in November 2016, is where the City’s Collections are stored when not on public display. It also includes a public exhibition and activity space.
Curatorial staff look after the collections, catalogue them, photograph them research them and on occasions work on them to get them in to a suitable condition ready for display. They manage the collections on behalf of the city and its residents – the collections belong to the people of Aberdeen.
Aberdeen Treasure Hub offers opportunities for the public to go on guided tours, handle real objects from the City’s Collections, view mini exhibitions and even volunteer to work alongside the Treasure Hub team.
Opening hours
Monday, Tuesday, Friday - by appointment only Wednesday - 10am-4pm - drop in to see the small display and find out more (behind the scenes tours bookable in advance at 11am and 2pm) Thursday - 10am-4pm - group bookings Saturday - special events throughout the year (see website www.aagm.co.uk and local media for more information Sunday - Closed Tours - to book a place on a tour telephone 01224 523677; to book a group visit telephone 01224 337715 or email info@aagm.co.ukPic - Shona Elliott, lead curator (Collections Access) with the Lord Provost of Aberdeen Barney Crockett admiring ‘Still Life with Flowers’ by artist Alberto Morrocco.