10 contemporary Scottish artists to watch out for.
Contemporary Scottish Art has long be held in high esteem both at home and internationally, and can be particularly regarded in terms of technique, form and colour. Here we take a look at some of the best Scottish artists currently producing work.
1. Walter Awlson
Well known for his stunning figurative sculptures, Walter Awlson is also an accomplished painter. His paintings can easily be mistaken for photographs at first glance, so true to life is his work. Awlson paints predominately in oil on canvas.
2. Emma S Davis
Emma S Davis has been painting professionally since graduating from Glasgow School of Art in 1998 and is renowned for her contemporary landscape and still life work. Her paintings interlink line, colour, pattern and light to form her distinctive style.
3. Peter Luti
Originally a ceramics graduate from Duncan of Jordanstone, Peter Luti discovered a passion and talent for painting whilst in his position as head of Expressive Arts at Glasgow University. Now painting full-time, his work is instantly recognisable by the heavy texture and colour palette used throughout his pieces.
4. Deborah Phillips
Deborah Phillips' paintings are mostly recognisable by her characteristic use of thin lines of paint and glitter used to portray foliage in the foreground of her scenes. Her pieces also often include leaf skeletons and heavily textured elements taking the eye on a visual journey throughout the work.
5. George Birrell
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Glasgow School of Art trained George Birrell's paintings have a bold and styalised architectural theme, often portraying Scottish east coast fishing villages or secluded castles. There is regularly a sense of naive simplification to the subject matter, balanced expertly by sophisticated composition, most notably in his characteristic trees.
6. Archie Dunbar McIntosh
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Former Glasgow School of Art president, Archie Dunbar McIntosh paints highly original and enlightened scenes, often with abstract undertones and unusual perspectives. Stemming from a desire to explore fully influences throughout his life Archie portrays form, colour, texture and mood of the sea, loch, river and mountain of his native Scotland.
7. Dionne Sievewright
Duncan of Jordanstone graduate, Dionne Sievewright is originally from Perth and produces acutely simplified compositions incorporating pattern, tone and light. Layers of paint are applied, rubbed and scratched away to mimic the textural qualities of landscapes that she creates. Often stemming from memories and imagination Dionne's are beautifully structured pieces.
8. Philip Raskin
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Philip Raskin is one of Scotland's most distinctive and atmospheric artists. Predominantly focusing on the often turbulent seascape and islands of the west coast of Scotland, Philip manipulates both oil and acrylic, using impasto techniques to build up heavy textural layers of paint in the foreground. Large, stormy skylines dominate and the soft, calming palette expertly encapsulates the unique and dramatic light only found on the Scottish coastline.
9. Shelagh Campbell
Glasgow School of Art graduate, Shelagh Campbell's bold artwork conveys contemporary landscape scenes with vivid use of colour and confident brush work. Imaginative palette and strong composition combine with pattern and application technique to form eclectic pieces.
10. Gordon Wilson
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Gordon Wilson graduated from Glasgow School of Art and worked as a designer, art restorer, framer and art dealer before painting full time. His work often has a quirky or humorous edge and many of his paintings notably include Belted Galloway Cows. Both landscape and characteristic portraiture work is highly recognisable and sought after.
See some of our favourite contemporary Scottish ceramics artists
