Evidence of this inability to find a cure comes in the form of the Christmas exhibition he is staging – at the age of 82.
Innes, who ran galleries in London and Edinburgh from 1973-2003, returned to Scotland to live in Perthshire in 2004. Since then he has had a stand at Abernyte Antique and Art Centre between Perth and Dundee, selling pictures and a few items of furniture and objets d’art.
He is now staging “one of the best exhibitions of his career” at the Black Watch Castle and Museum in Perth from November 27 to December 3 (private view on November 26).
It consists mainly of 60 works of landscape and sporting subjects and has a “distinctly Scottish bias”. Pictures feature by such well-known artists as Charlotte Nasmyth, William Marshall Brown, William Shayer, VR Balfour-Browne and John Henry Mole.
Innes says: “This exhibition is the first I have held since moving north and contains much the biggest and best collection of pictures I have amassed since leaving London and Edinburgh.
“Most fit into my normal stock-in-trade – traditional, ‘honest’ Scottish landscape and sporting pictures. My wife complains about my insatiable appetite to keep buying; there is no longer room for anything else in my office, her flower room or our garage.”
‘More affordable’ selection
The show also includes a selection of pictures and other forms of art with prices ranging from £30-300, “with Christmas presents in mind”.
Innes says despite the pandemic meaning he has not been able to trade much for two years, it has actually helped in a way: he could still buy works of art online.
The exhibition venue of the Queen Mother Room at Balhousie Castle is appropriate. Innes’ grandfather served in the Black Watch in the First World war, his father in the second and his brother for 28 years. Innes adds: “Having been told to go elsewhere for my National Service from 1957-59 – the Scots Guards – I joined the 6th/7th Bn BW (TA), reaching the dizzy rank of captain.”
For more details contact Innes at malcolmainnes@gmail.com
