Past Exhibitions

7 Artists, Edinburgh Soul: 5 August 2010 - 6 September 2010

Collaborating for the first and probably only time, this exhibition unites some of Edinburgh’s finest contemporary talents in a powerful and emotional display.  This is an exhibition of contrasting styles and content which creates cohesion through the quality of the work and the stature of the artists.  Each of the exhibiting artists has gained international recognition for unique and evocative work that challenges and satisfies the viewer.
Philip Braham’s meticulous and finely observed ‘Drift’ series is both reflective and challenging.  The iconic, powerful studies of Graham Flack are full of tension and beauty, whilst Michael McVeigh’s dream-like paintings transport us to another world.  Having been a major contributor to Scottish figurative painting over the last 30 years, David Hosie continues to produce influential and demanding work that is universally admired.  Award-winning artists Olivia Irvine and Henry Kondracki offer their unique perspectives on 21st Century life and family.  For many years, Edinburgh sculptor John Brazenall has worked as a fine art bronze founder, collaborating regularly with such luminaries as Ian Hamilton Finlay and, in New York, Julian Schnabel.  His own work, rarely exhibited, is anarchic, playful and beautifully conceived.
An exhibition featuring seven of Edinburgh’s finest and most exciting artists, full of iconic and powerful imagery, and exploring some great home-grown talent.

Click on artists pages to view full collection.

Have a look at this superb video of the exhibition hanging and subsequent opening:

Snapshots in the life of a gallery from stewart bremner on Vimeo.

 

 

Dylan Lisle and Patsy McArthur: 1 July 2010 - 2 August 2010

Two of Scotland’s finest figurative artists have collaborated to make this an exhibition of extraordinary quality.  Both graduates from Grays School of Art, they take widely different approaches to produce exceptional work.
Patsy McArthur creates evocative images with a psychological and emotional impact. Her images deal with figures in motion or transition and allude to movement through psychological states. Using repetition as a tool, with the same figure appearing more than once in an image, she removes the work from realism so it becomes a site for multiple versions of self, or transitional human states. The work is generally monochrome or very limited palette which strips the image down, without colour to seduce, thus focussing on content.
Equally, this exhibition sees Dylan Lisle producing an outstanding body of work: the first substantial collection to be shown in Edinburgh since 2002.  Fascinated by the technical aspects of painting and inspired by pioneering masters such as Caravaggio and Zurbaran, Dylan’s mastery of technique married to his contemporary vision creates work of beauty, serenity and mystery.
This exhibition is a showcase of two exceptional artists, each bringing their individual interpretations of the human form.  Essential viewing for all lovers of figurative art.

Click on artists pages to view full collection.

 

 

Summer Cocktail: 3 June 2010 - 28 June 2010

An irresistible blend of Union gallery regular artists including Janet Melrose, John Carberry and Sally Johns, along with the introduction of some new artists to the gallery, James Newton Adams and Drysdale Scott.
The month of June also sees Union Gallery celebrate its first birthday.  The party will be an open house affair attended by gallery artists, friends and supporters alike.  Should you like to help us celebrate this milestone, please email us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

 

 

Jenny Matthews: 7 May 2010 - 31 May 2010

Few artists working in Scotland today can boast such a loyal and passionate following as Jenny Matthews.  Having trained under Dame Elizabeth Blackadder at ECA, Jenny has taken the art of flower painting to the highest levels, working predominately in watercolour.  Her paintings are highly observed, in contrast to the surrounding areas which are more intuitive and atmospheric, and are often inspired by colour combinations noticed while out painting. The myriad of flowers and plants, not to mention the ever-changing landscape and weather conditions, allow her to constantly find new inspiration and ideas, whether it be in the garden or further afield.  Highly collected and admired, Jenny has produced a stunning collection of new work for this beautiful exhibition.

 

PRESS RELEASE

MULTI-AWARD WINNER JENNY MATTHEWS SOLO EXHIBITION

Union Gallery is delighted to announce a solo exhibition by the multi-award winning and much collected artist, Jenny Matthews.  Predominantly working in watercolour, Jenny is one of the foremost painters of flowers currently working in Scotland and has received much critical acclaim for her work.

Whilst at Edinburgh College of Art, Jenny Matthews was trained under Dame Elizabeth Blackadder and she went on to receive the Edinburgh College of Art Prize for Watercolour in 1986.  Since then she has gone on to win several other awards, including the Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer Purchase Prize in 2007.  Critical acclaim for her paintings includes being listed by The Scotsman in the ‘Top 20 of Scottish Art’ and the ‘5 Best for Scottish Watercolours’. Amongst collectors of her work she can include the author Ian Rankin, Hewlett Packard, private bankers Adam & Co and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland.

Jenny has taken the art of flower painting to the highest levels.  Her paintings are highly observed, in contrast to the surrounding areas which are more intuitive and atmospheric, and are often inspired by colour combinations noticed while out painting. The myriad of flowers and plants, not to mention the ever-changing landscape and weather conditions, allow her to constantly find new inspiration and ideas, whether it be in the garden or further afield. 

Many characteristics of her work can be traced to four years spent in Indonesia, whether it is the colour green, abstracted squares representing rice paddies from the air or an interest in tropical flora. One of the centre pieces of this forthcoming exhibition will be ‘Burung Jawa’ which draws on those influences, and features some of Jenny’s collection of Indonesian fabrics.

This is an exhibition of astounding beauty; full of colour, vibrancy and style.  To see so many of Jenny’s flower paintings in one space is both a rare opportunity and a highly pleasurable experience.  Jenny has been working on this exhibition for 12 months, and the result is truly remarkable.

Jenny Matthews says of her work: ‘I have a passion to seek out flowers wherever I go…and I endeavour to recreate my wonder at the creation around us through my work.’ 
To view this spectacular collection of new work is to fully appreciate her love of the natural world around us and understand her extraordinary success at recreating it for our pleasure.

JENNY MATTHEWS SOLO EXHIBITION 07.05.10 – 03.06.10

Opening Hours:
Tues – Sat 10.30 to 18.00
Sunday 12.00 to 18.00
Monday by Appointment

 

 

 

Not So Still: 25 March 2010 - 2 May 2010

Union Gallery’s first exhibition of still life and observational paintings is a must, with contributions from some painters of exceptional quality. On exhibition will be new works by superb artist Georgie Young and the Gallery welcomes the stunning work of highly regarded Glasgow artist Cathy Campbell. This will be Cathy’s first exhibition in Edinburgh and we are proud to have the opportunity to showcase her work.

 

 

Call of the Wild: 4 February 2010 - 22 March 2010

A fine mixed exhibition inspired by the natural world in all its forms.  Contributors include Hazel Cahmore, John Auldjo, Martyn McKenzie and Marion Kennedy.

 

 

Olivia Irvine and Fiona Jappy: 7 January 2010 - 1 February 2010

Union Gallery is delighted to announce an exhibition by two of Scotland’s most creative and exciting contemporary artists, Olivia Irvine and Fiona Jappy.  Both create highly personal, thought provoking and beautiful paintings that are yet individual in style and content.  An exhibition influenced by family, heritage, identity and belonging, this is a real treat for all lovers of fine art.

 

 

Christmas Exhibition: 26 November 2009 - 4 January 2010

A fine exhibition of work from artists including Dylan Lisle, Janet Melrose, Imogen Alabaster and Mark Edward.  A mixed exhibition of the highest quality.

 

 

Landmarks: 8 October 2009 - 24 November 2009

An exciting exhibition of new Scottish landscapes by some of our finest artists, including Georgie Young, John Carberry, Dorothy Bruce and Alison Auldjo, along with superb sculptures from Barbara Franc and Frances Ross and woodturnings by Andrew Ross.

 

 

David Hosie Solo Exhibition: 10 September 2009 - 5 October 2009

UNIONgallery is proud to present an exhibition of recent work from one of Scotlands finest figurative painters. Having exhibited to acclaim around the world, we are delighted to welcome David back to Edinburgh for this exhibition.

 

 

Festival!: 6 August 2009 - 6 September 2009

A stunning collection of new work by some of the finest contemporary artists currently working in Scotland.  Artists exhibiting include: Graham Flack, Henry Kondracki, Stewart Bremner, Derek McGuire, Lisa Petterson, Christine Clark and Trevor Jones.

Opening Times: Monday - Saturday 10.30 - 18.00
                        Sunday                 12.00 - 17.00

 

 

Introducing…: 10 June 2009 - 30 June 2009

A mixed collection from some of our finest artists, showing the wealth of both established and new talent at UNIONgallery.