| Named_Collection | Richard Demarco |
| Title | Richard Demarco Archive |
| Level | Collection |
| Artist | Demarco; Richard (1930 - ); Professor |
| Date | 1949 - 1995 |
| Ref_No | GMA A37 |
| Description | The archive and library of Richard Demarco from 1949 - 1995; artworks, manuscript and typescript papers, diaries, journals, photographs, scrapbooks, publications and newscuttings relating to the life and career of Richard Demarco; also papers relating to the Traverse Theatre and the Richard Demarco Gallery. The archive is divided into nine sections; 1. File lists 1949 - 1971 (674 files) 2. Box handlists 1970 - 1990 (420 boxes each with average 10 files) 3. Framed works (46 items) 4. Library: 4/1. Artists Books (50) 4/2. Books (6,000) 4/3. RDG publications 1963 - 1995 [352] 4/4. exhibition catalogues (2,500) 5. Recordings audio, film, video (175 items) 6. Photoboards (11 packets) 7. Posters (8 plan chest drawers) 8. Newscuttings (7,100 items) 9. Photographs, negatives and slides (35 files) 10. Richard Demarco Writings /11. Legal & Financial Papers* |
| Extent | 212.5 metres |
| Provenance | Purchased 1995 |
| Repository | Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art Archive |
| Admin_History | Richard Demarco's international outlook and engagement with a diverse range of artistic practices have given vibrancy to Scotland's cultural life. Artist, teacher and promoter of the visual and performing arts, Demarco was born in Portobello, Edinburgh in 1930. He was co-founder of the Traverse Theatre in Edinburgh in 1963 and three years later the Richard Demarco Gallery was established in Melville Crescent, Edinburgh. The Gallery over the years promoted cross-cultural links, both in terms of presenting the cutting edge international artist within Scotland and in establishing outgoing connections for Scottish artists across Europe. His involvement with Joseph Beuys led to various presentations, from the 'Strategy: Get Arts' exhibition in 1970 to Beuys' hunger strike on behalf of Jimmy Boyle in 1980. In 1972 Demarco also attracted Tadeusz Kantor's Cricot 2 group to Edinburgh. A performance of 'The Water Hen' at the former Edinburgh Poorhouse during the Edinburgh Festival was a notable success. In 1973 Cricot 2 returned with 'Lovelies and Dowdies'. Demarco introduced Beuys and Kantor to one another at this time and in one performance of 'Lovelies and Dowdies' Beuys performed under Kantor's direction. The 1970s and 80s were also notable for Demarco's experimental 'Edinburgh Arts' summer schools and journeys. 'Edinburgh Arts' was conceived as an alternative education with the aim of breaking down the barriers between artist and non-artist, scientist and layman. Emphasis was placed on the experience of prehistory and ancient roots of Celtic culture. Each successive year Demarco led the participants further and further afield. Over the eight years he took 1114 people on a journey of over 57,000 miles from Malta to Orkney. For many years the Gallery led a financially-straitened existence. Since the early 1990s, Richard Demarco's activity has been through the Demarco European Art Foundation. |
| Custodial_History | Purchased 1995 |