This is a detail of a slate mosaic on wood panel entitled 'Black Sun of Winter'. The mosaic was made in 1980 by the Scottish artist George Garson. It was inspired by the standing stones and burial cairns of Scotland, particularly those in the Orkneys.
The mosaic is made of geometric shapes. It has a large central section with an incised 'runic' inscription. The muralist George Garson, born in Edinburgh, came from a working class background and worked in shipyards until the age of 30, when he became a student at Edinburgh College of Art. Thereafter he lectured at the college for seven years, before holding the post of head of the mural and stained glass department at Glasgow School of Art 1971-1985.
During the 1980s the Scottish Development Agency purchased a number of hand-crafted items for its Scottish Crafts Collection. The aim of the collection was to inform the public of craft production in Scotland through touring exhibitions and education programmes. When the Scottish Craft Council was wound up, the collection was transferred to the National Museums of Scotland.
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