The launch of a limited edition boxset charting the career of one of Dundee’s most loved singers took place at The McManus: Dundee’s Art Gallery & Museum last night with stars from the music and literary world sharing an evening of celebration and song with the musician’s family and friends.
Award winning Scottish Author Val McDermid sang Frida Kahlo’s Visit to the Taybridge Bar and American singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III travelled from the US to perform a version of Marra’s classic Hermless while daughter of Michael, Alice Marra sang Heavens Hound with Duende Voices to an invited audience.
A Dundee native, Michael Marra was one of Scotland’s foremost cultural figures. Known as the "Bard of Dundee,” his work over more than four decades often transcended the folk music scene, leading him to work with artists including Van Morrison, Deacon Blue and Barbara Dickson.
In 2007 he was awarded an Honorary Degree by the University of Dundee for his contribution to Dundee’s cultural scene. He died in October 2012 following a battle with cancer.
Having collaborated with Michael Marra on a publication several years ago, Eddie Summerton, a Senior Lecturer in Contemporary Art Practice at DJCAD, initiated the project after approaching the singer’s family.
An installation by Eddie relating to this project highlighting images, writings and record cover artwork from the A Can of Mind and A Tin of Think So edition is now on show in the Making of Modern Dundee Gallery at The McManus: Dundee's Art Gallery & Museum.
He said, "Michael Marra’s contribution to Dundee’s cultural life cannot be overstated".
"His songs and stories encapsulated everything that makes this city special and that was why his work will always be held in such high regard".
"To be given the opportunity to be involved in the work of such an iconic figure has been humbling and the Marra family were incredibly generous with their support".
Also at the launch were participants from Tayside Healthcare Arts Trust, who worked with the museum’s Creative Learning Team to draw inspiration from the developing archive. This was used as a departure point for participants to co-design and create artwork that narrates their own story of living in Dundee with long term health conditions such as Stroke, Acquired Brain Injury and Dementia.
Through, informal learning approaches, participants worked alongside artists to learn relief printing and Letterpress techniques to explore and understand printmaking with text, develop narratives using Haiku poetry, exploring the museum collections that both link to the life of Michael Marra and the temporary exhibition ‘Impressed: Twentieth Century Artist Prints from Dundee’s Collection’.
Cheryl McDermid, Creative Learning Officer at Leisure & Culture Dundee said
"Michael Marra’s archive and body of work proved to be incredibly inspiring for our Tayside Healthcare Arts Trust participants.”
"One project legacy is that the participants work is now on public display as part of the wider Michael Marra display case within the museum. This was a special and proud moment for all, as it was the first time that participants work has been included in a museum display.”
The edition of 250 boxes is now available from Assai Records.
Photo L-R Val McDermid, Loudon Wainwright III, Peggy Marra and Eddie Summerton Credit: Alan Richardson
