The four Gerald Laing sculptures on campus were gifted to the Lamont Gallery in December 1991 by Ken Wilson ‘65.
In April of 2015, Milbuie, Torgorm, Big Trace, and Scatwell were removed from campus for conservation. The works were conserved and re-installed between 2016 and 2018 thanks to a generous donation by Mr. Wilson ‘65.
Scroll down to learn more about these sculptures and the artist, Gerald Laing.
 Milbuie, 1969-1970Painted steel 6 units each 12' long Milbuie, is the Lamont Gallery’s most visible sculpture by Gerald Laing. Named after the Scottish Highlands’ mountain, "Mill Buie", this sculpture with its repeating red “peaks” welcomes visitors as they walk across the Academy Lawn toward the Lamont Gallery entrance. |
Torgorm, 1969 This sculpture was originally placed at the southeast entrance of Phillips Hall since the “arches echo the windows of Phillips Hall and Wheelwright.” In 2018, Torgorm was installed in the gardens located behind the Phelps Science Center. |
 Scatwell, 1970Painted steel 24’ long Scatwell is made up of “a large pair of bright yellow curves formed by two 5’x2’ steel beams which bend into two 12’ long beams cantilevered off a base.” In 2016 Scatwell was installed on the lawn in front of the Love Gymnasium. |
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Big Trace, 1969 This piece is similar to some of the drawings and prints that Laing created while working in New York before moving to Scotland. In 2016 Big Trace was installed on the grounds of the Saltonstall house. |
Take a walk and learn more about these sculptures with this self-guided tour and map.
Let’s face it… we all love coloring! Now you can add your own artistic touch to these sculptures with our coloring pages.
Gerald Laing was a British artist who lived in New York in the 1960’s. He worked closely with artists such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein and is considered to be a significant part of the British Pop art movement.
Laing moved to Northern Scotland in 1969 and it was during this transition that he created the four abstract sculptures that are in the Lamont Gallery collection. Three of these sculptures – Milbuie, Torgorm and Scatwell - are named for locations in Scotland. According to Laing, “The four sculptures, made in the Highlands in 1969-1970, are developed from the last phase of my work before I left New York, but are larger, stronger and more roughly made in response to the new environment of the Scottish Highlands. They were, in other words, a response to the landscape and intended to be sited in the landscape.”
During the 1970’s Laing shifted his focus to sculpting the human figure and continued with this subject matter for many years. Some of his most notable public works include Axis Mundi: 5 Wise Virgins – Their Apotheosis and Sherlock Holmes a memorial to Sir Arthur Conan both in Kinkell, Scotland. Laing eventually returned to painting shortly before his death in 2011. More information, and an extensive collection of Laing’s work can be found on his website.
Sources: Gerald Laing website and original artist statement from Lamont Gallery archives.
Image credit: Photo of Gerald Laing by Chris Jackson, Getty Images Europe.
Lamont Gallery, Frederick R. Mayer Art Center, Phillips Exeter Academy
20 Main Street, Exeter NH, 03833
603-777-3461 / gallery@exeter.edu
