Inception review — eclectic collection is a proper talent show

Question: what do you do with a recently vacated 18th-century stately home that has dozens of rooms to spare? Answer: fill it with art, of course.

Since its most recent occupant, the University of Wisconsin, left in 2021 the palace has been a venue in search of purpose. Now it’s found on. The Inception art show, now in it’s third iteration, is partly the brainchild of the artist Walter, the Earl of Dalkeith. It is a mixed exhibition of high-quality art that consists mainly of painting and sculpture, but not exclusively.

The palace was the seat of the Dukes of Buccleuch from 1642 to 1914, after which it was held in trust. A new design was completed in 1711 and it retains much of its original structure and decor, including wall coverings, oak panelling and fine Italian marble fireplaces.  Such architectural grandeur and space make the building an ideal venue for large-scale work, such as the enormous wooden sculpture of Richard Goldsworthy or the crocheted yarn wall hanging, measuring three and a half metres, by Jo Hamilton.

Jonathan Freemantle, whose work is in the private collection of the King, also works on a large scale.

Spirit Matter (Three Magi), for example, contemplates the big questions in life, such as eternity and the nature of time.  The trio Judy R Clark, Christine Clark and Jodie Mann - fashion designer, artist and photographer respectively - have united their formidable talent to create a series of photography-based works that are more than a sum of their parts: a composite of fashion, installation, painting and spectacle.

There are quieter voices but they are no less impactful than their more imposing counterparts.

Judith Shaylor, for one, is an immensely impressive artist whose use of textiles that are often associated with domestic subject matter belies the darkness, pain and passion of her vision. Shaylor's use of paint is immensely detailed and her work deserves careful attention.

Taisir Gibreel, one of the show's curators, also works in textiles but here her acrylic paintings come to therefore. They are sombre, contemplative and still, but emanate a strength and presence that resonates well beyond their immediate vicinity.

The only downside of this show is its brevity. Try to see it if you can - you won't be disappointed.

Until May 14