Artist statement
My work is primarily concerned with process – building translucent glazes of paint until an illusion of light and depth are achieved. The process involves the application of multiple (up to 40 or more) thin glazes of acrylic paint and gloss medium. Each layer is dragged, pulled or manipulated with various implements – the process being repeated layer upon layer until the final painting begins to emerge. Arrived at by both chance and deliberation, the final painting reveals varying chromatic strata, which can be seen through the translucence and depth of the work.
These are paintings which draw the viewer beneath the surface to give some experience of their making – both revealing and concealing the history of the painting process. The paintings are set within a distinct formal compositional framework. Although the horizontal division creates allusions to landscape, this is primarily a device to heighten the dynamic, contrast, tension and intensity of the painting.
I aim to make paintings which are luminous, seductive, sensual and atmospheric. I am fascinated in how the raw materials innate to the medium can be turned into something poetic – an object filled with light, feeling, atmosphere and emotion.
Current and forthcoming events
- August 2013: Chromatic Visions, Edinburgh Art Festival, Edinburgh (more info)
Solo exhibitions
- 2013 New Paintings, Sarah Myerscough Fine Art, London
- 2012 Contrapuntal, Paul Kuhn Gallery, Calgary, Canada
- 2011 New Paintings, An Talla Solais, Ullapool
- 2011 Fugue, Sarah Myerscough Fine Art, London
- 2010 New Paintings, Paul Kuhn Gallery, Calgary, Canada
- 2009 Liquid Light, Sarah Myerscough Fine Art, London
- 2007 Paintings, Amber Roome Contemporary Art, Edinburgh
- 2006 Counterpoint, Atticsalt, Edinburgh
- 2006 Recent Paintings, MAC, Birmingham
- 2005 Counterpart (with Andrew Mackenzie), Sarah Myerscough Fine Art, London
- 2005 Paintings, An Tuireann Arts Centre, Portree, Isle of Skye
- 2004 Paintings, Sarah Myerscough Fine Art, London
- 2003 Paintings (with Eoghann MacColl), Oriel Capsule, Cardiff
- 2002 Paintings, Sarah Myerscough Fine Art, London
- 2001 Paintings, Triskel Arts Centre, Cork
- 2000 Paintings, The Loft Gallery, Glasgow
- 2000 Aalborg Trienalle, Aalborg, Denmark
- 1999 Paintings, Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries
- 1999 Paintings, Pump House Gallery, London
- 1997 Paintings, Collective Gallery, Edinburgh
Group exhibitions
- 2012 Black and White, Sarah Myerscough Fine Art, London
- 2011 Perception, The Dovecot, Edinburgh
- 2010 RSA New Works, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
- 2010 Affordable Art Fair New York, (Sarah Myerscough Fine Art), New York
- 2010 Abstract Matters, Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh
- 2009 Strata, Sarah Myerscough Fine Art, London
- 2009 Strata, Patriothall Gallery, Edinburgh
- 2008 Shared Ground, Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine
- 2008 Toronto International Art Fair, Toronto, Canada
- 2007 Equinox, Sarah Myerscough Fine Art, London
Residencies
- 2010 RSA Residency, An Talla Solais, Ullapool
- 2007 Returning Fellowship, Ballinglen Arts Foundation, County Mayo, Ireland
- 2003 Fellowship, Ballinglen Arts Foundation, County Mayo, Ireland
- 2000 Artist in residence, Aalborg Trienalle, Aalborg, Denmark
Competitions, prizes and awards
- 2010 RSA Residencies for Scotland Award, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
- 2009 Visual Arts Award, City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh
- 2008 Creative Development Award, Scottish Arts Council, Edinburgh
- 2004 Hope Scott Trust Award, Hope Scott Trust, Edinburgh
- 2003 EVAAC Award, City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh
- 2003 Professional Development Award, Scottish Arts Council, Edinburgh
- 2002 Professional Development Award, Scottish Arts Council, Edinburgh
- 2001 British Council Grant, British Council, London
- 2000 EVAAC Award, City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh
- 2000 The Arts Trust of Scotland Award, SAC, Edinburgh
Web links - gallery/work/projects
Personal website
