Scottish Artists and Art Towns

Kirkcudbright Artists Town

Kirkcudbright is a real centre for art in Dumfries and Galloway. Edward Hornel, one of the key figures within the Glasgow Boys art group, spent his childhood in Kirkcudbright and returned in 1901 to live and set up an art colony. Alongside his home at Broughton, the Tolbooth Art Centre displays extensive work by both Scottish Colourists and the Glasgow Boys.

Inside the Kirkcudbrigh Tolbooth there's an impressive selection of artwork on display here including paintings by Scottish Colourist S J Peploe and 'Glasgow Boys' artist David Gauld.

The Scottish Colourists, artists such as Samuel Peploe and his close friend J D Fergusson, underwent a revival in the 1980s. Somewhat late, as they were producing work in the late 19th/early 20th century. Heavily influenced by French artists like Monet and Matisse (Fergusson was particularly impressed by impressionist painting), the Scottish Colourists are regarded as major influencers of Scottish Contemporary Art. Peploe is noted particularly for his still life paintings. Another renowned group of Scottish Artists emerging in the 1880s and 1890s alongside Mackintosh and the Glasgow School were the Glasgow Boys. Edward Atkinson Hornel (1864-1933) is the one Glasgow Boys artist particularly associated with Kirkcudbright. The Glasgow Boys were influenced by impressionist and post-impressionist painting, putting their own slant on it with work focusing particularly on rural scenes around Glasgow.

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Edinburgh & Glasgow Art

Edinburgh is an art lovers dream - five acclaimed art galleries are here in Scotland's capital, including the renowned National Gallery of Scotland which is acclaimed as one of the world's best collections of art and it's free to enter! The five Edinburgh art galleries taken together cover the full spectrum from Renaissance art through to the contemporary. Edinburgh Art galleries and exhibitions include the centrally placed National Gallery of Scotland and the recently refurbished Scottish Royal Academy (these two are connected by the Western Link with views of Princes Gardens).

Also in central Edinburgh the Scottish National Portrait Gallery sits in the New Town area just north of the National Gallery and can be found on Queens Street. For the best of modern and contemporary art head for the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the Dean Gallery, both of which are located just a 15 minute walk west of Princes Street.

At the core of Glasgow Style and Glasgow Art is Glasgow's own Charles Rennie Mackintosh, who graduated from Glasgow School of Art and designed his famous School of Art building in 1896 which remains today at the centre of the Glasgow School of Art campus and is open to visitors. An important figure in 20th century European architecture, Charles Rennie Mackintosh is a central figure too in 20th century art and design.

Glasgow is a hub for contemporary art and a visit to the Gallery of Modern Art is not to be missed. Add to this the treasure trove of the Burrell Art Collection and more outstanding art collections at the Collins Gallery, the Hunterian, Kelvingrove and numerous other art galleries around Glasgow, you have then one of Europe's best cities for art and art galleries.

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Perth Art - JD Fergusson Scottish Colourist, Central Scotland

The Fergusson Gallery is the definitive site to see the largest collection of work bu Scottish Colourist John Duncan Fergusson under one roof. Housed in the fine circular gallery setting of Perth's old waterworks which dates from 1832, the Fergusson Gallery opened in 1992.

Move to the Perth Museum & Art Gallery to discover more Scottish art gems including Edward Hornel and portraits by Henry Raeburn.

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Aberdeen Art Gallery & Dundee Contemporary Art

In his own time Scottish artist John Phillip enjoyed considerable fame, demonstrating a talent for storytelling and depicting Scottish life in his art early on. You won't find a much better collection of his work than here in Aberdeen, his birthplace, works of which range from early pieces painted in Aberdeen like 'The Brig Manly' through to particularly famous pieces like 'A Scotch Fair' and some of his Spanish work such as 'La Perla de Triana'. His Spanish work became so successful, his Scottish scenes were almost forgotten.

Despite being one of the most acclaimed Victorian artists, Philip is less known today. A visit to the Aberdeen Art Gallery is where to head to view a large collection of his work. Aberdeen Art Gallery also holds an impressive collection of work by Scottish Colourists and some outstanding contemporary art including work by George & Gilbert. Look to the Aberdeen Art Gallery weblink write for exhibition details. An excellent art gift shop is on-site.

There is no doubt, Dundee is developing a reputation as a centre for contemporary art and film. The Dundee Contemporary Arts Centre just up from the waterfront on Nethergate is home to a cinema showing mainstream and art house cinema, art galleries displaying innovative cutting edge contemporary art, Jute Cafe Bar, a print studio and art and design shop. Spread across five floors, the DCA has attracted huge numbers of visitors since it opened in 1999.

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Pier Arts Centre Stromness Orkney - Barbara Hepworth

The recently refurbished Pier Arts Centre in Stromness on Mainland Orkney provides the town and the rest of Orkney with a state of the art exhibition centre. It houses some fantastic Barbara Hepworth sculptures alongside works of Ben Johnson and Naum Gabo. These were gifted to the centre by Margaret Gardiner the centre's founder who was a personal friend of many of the artists featured in the gallery.

The gallery also exhibits a changing range of temporary national and international exhibitions. The recent renovations inside the listed harbourside buildings include a two storey exhibition space with smaller spaces for temporary exhibitions. All are accessible by stairs or lifts. Full height glass windows give excellent views out to sea. The centre also has a shop.

Opening Times: Summer Mon-Sat 10.30am-5pm. Sun 1pm-5pm. 28-30 Victoria Street, Stromness, Orkney Islands KW16 3AA. Tel: 01856 850209. Fax: 01856 851462. Email: info@pierartscentre.com. Check their website for additional information.

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