Iona 

Samuel Peploe painted 'Iona' with oil on canvas, capturing the stark beauty of the Scottish island that so captivated him. Peploe, a leading figure of the Scottish Colourists, was working in a period defined by rapid industrialization and urbanization; the tranquil landscapes offered an escape from the noise and grit of city life. What's really interesting here is how Peploe uses this landscape not just as a visual subject, but as a place of identity and belonging. Iona, with its rich history as a center of Celtic Christianity, resonated deeply in a Scotland grappling with its cultural and spiritual identity amidst the rise of modernity. 'I think it is the finest rock and sea beach in the world' Peploe once said of the area. The raw, untamed beauty becomes a mirror reflecting a longing for simpler times. Through his bold brushstrokes and vivid colours, Peploe invites us to not just see, but to feel the elemental power and profound silence of Iona. He invites us to consider how places shape our memories and our understanding of ourselves.