Article Source: Paisley Art Institute
Last Updated: 3 June 2021 11:36
Works featured are from PAI artist members and open entrants, with 181 selected to feature in the exhibition which runs from the 4th - 26th June.
Drawing has featured heavily in people’s lives during lockdown. The lockdown theme wasn’t called for but is still emerging in entrants’ work. Emerging themes are: creative resilience; mental health and wellbeing; how people are coping; physical health - struggling with sleep; trying to figure out a new life path; imagining places they can’t travel to; also re-imagining places, cityscapes and familiar buildings and reaching out for family. Black Lives Matter has also been a theme with people power and identity and politics coming through. Nature and landscapes also features heavily in many of the works.
The exhibition features three video works with the themes of movement; Makin’ Bread – working with the elderly to make bread, exercise and make art. There are some powerful abstract works inspired by spirograph and circular drawings referencing our ancestors work in caves which have a textural quality as well as an intimacy. Some works are dark and some expressive. Some represent the experience of frustration – all very 2020!
This year’s prize winners are:
The William & Mary Armour Award
015. ‘Inter Facade’ Ally Wallace chosen by Sam Ainsley RSA D.Litt
“I rarely find an abstract drawing that speaks to me authentically. this one does; I sense someone grappling with something hard to put into words and that by reiterating something over and over a kind of meditation or reverie is induced. I would love to speak to this artist about his sources/inspiration as I would guess they are more literary than visual art?”
The Jamieson Award
048. ‘Alice’s Model’ Mary Gillespie chosen by Charles Jamieson
The John Joseph Morrow Prize
103. ‘Presence Within’ Angela Repping chosen by Rowena Comrie, Chair
Outspoken Arts Scotland Award
106. ‘Tick Tock & Tin Hats’ Deborah Sanderson chosen by Selectors upon suggestion of OAS.
“This work was chosen as an excellent representation of all of our recent struggles, not only with Covid19, but also with mental health and wellbeing. It offers us a view of life, a tidal wave of humanity swept away by strong emotions. The artist herself exemplifies what it means to struggle with a life-threatening condition whilst maintaining a creative outlet.”
Velvet Easel Gallery Prize
‘A memory carried away dream by dream’ Zuzanna Salamon chosen by Sam Ainsley
* note this work may be viewed on website only*
How many artists make a "portrait" from behind where you cannot see the face of the subject? Few I guess. I was mesmerised by this image where I could only speculate about the identity of the subject and yearn to know more about the 'sitter'. A beautifully enigmatic portrait which brings to mind many influential female artists and authors. This work stood out for me from all the other entries and again, I would love to be put in touch with this artist if she is agreeable?
As part of the Scottish Drawing Competition exhibition, artspace37 will host artist-led drawing workshops on 5th, 12th 19th and 26th June featuring emerging artists, Katie McGroarty and Russell MacEwan and PAI Artist Members, Lynn Howarth and Eoghann MacColl. These classes will cover various drawing techniques and are free to book, with a maximum of 12 attendees.
The new space has been created by Paisley-based arts organisation Outspoken Arts Scotland with the aim of supporting emerging artists and those affected worst by COVID19. Artspace37 will feature a year-round programme of exhibitions from both emerging and established artists.
Steven Thomson, Creative Director, artspace37, commented: “We’ve been busy working behind the scenes during lockdown to create this new gallery. We’re absolutely thrilled to be opening Artspace37. Not only do we have the prestigious Scottish Drawing Competition, a major coup for the gallery, taking place in June, but we’ll be supporting young emerging artists and providing them with a space to show their work. We’ve built up a great relationship with our featured artists and we will continue to support them. We’re welcoming approaches from artists who may be interested in working with us at the space.”
Rowena Comrie, Chair and Membership Officer, Paisley Art Institute commented: “The Paisley Art Institute Scottish Drawing Competition is a surreal mirror that reflects the variety, ingenuity, obsessions, ideals, joys, passions and pains of contemporary life by artists from Paisley and beyond. At last, an exhibition that you can visit in person, to appreciate the experience of enjoying culture, right in front of you.”
SCOTTISH rugby fans have been called upon to cast their vote for the greatest ever Murrayfield rugby moment as part of celebrations marking the national stadium’s centenary.
READ MORE
Scotland's biggest Christmas drive-in returns: 11 days of Elf, Home Alone & more at Loch Lomond Shores!
READ MORE
First Bus is offering free travel for all veterans and UK Armed Forces personnel travelling to Remembrance Day activities of Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.
READ MORE
Scotland's favourite beer, Tennent's Lager, has unveiled the world's first ever Square Wurst - a Scottish classic with a German twist - to mark the launch of Tennent's Bavarian Pilsner.
READ MORE
Concert by Candlelight, Scottish Ensemble's celebrated long-running winter tour, returns for eight awe-inspiring performances in intimate settings around Scotland this December.
READ MORE
Dobbies is encouraging customers to come along to their nearest store and to be the first to shop exclusive Black Friday offers at its late-night shopping event, in aid of Alzheimer's Research UK.
READ MORE
Marine & Lawn Hotels & Resorts Collection have launched new offerings designed to inspire cosy autumn getaways and early festive escapes across Scotland.
READ MORE
Nominations are open for the highly anticipated Scottish Excellence Awards 2026, a celebration of Scotland's hospitality, foodservice and tourism sectors.
READ MORE
Spooky season descended on Paisley at the weekend as thousands of visitors turned out for the annual Halloween Festival!
READ MORE
Dobbies is hosting a free-to-attend monthly gardening workshop on Sunday 2 November, for children across the country to discover how they can encourage winter birds into the garden.
READ MORE
Celebrated traditional music and Gaelic arts charity, Fèis Phàislig, has announced details of a major anniversary concert to mark ten years of providing cultural opportunities for young people.
READ MORE
Paisley Halloween Festival is back at its spooky best as thousands of visitors attended the first night of the festival.
READ MORE
The winners of the latest Beat the Street challenge in Renfrewshire have now been announced!
READ MORE
Judges in the Scotland Loves Local Awards awarded the title after being impressed by the critical point reached in the town's 'resurgence' amid unprecedented investment in its future.
READ MORE
The public are urged to take part in the Scottish Government's consultation on planning laws, warning that the changes could put the country's live music venues and pubs at risk.
READ MORE
Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, Braehead Shopping Centre, is delighted to announce the arrival of Snowflake Gelato.
READ MORE
Free and low-cost screenings showcase Horror, Heritage, and Homegrown Talent selected by local curators and young people.
READ MORE
Families are in for a spook-tacular surprise this Halloween, as Aldi is transforming part of its Renfrew store into a pop-up Pumpkin Patch on Saturday 25th October.
READ MORE
Paisley Halloween Festival will return this weekend with a packed programme to fright and delight visitors!
READ MORE
The shortlisted titles for this year’s Saltires, Scotland’s National Book Awards, were announced at Blackwell’s bookshop in Edinburgh.
READ MORE
The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award has unveiled the 10 Shortlisted albums now in the running for 2025’s title and £20,000 prize, as well as five Sound of Young Scotland finalists.
READ MORE
Scotland's scariest convention is heading to Renfrewshire for a two-day Halloween spectacular!
READ MORE
Renfrewshire's Provost, Lorraine Cameron is once again inviting children of primary school age to design a Christmas card for 2025.
READ MORE
Grab some Buddie Good Deals in Paisley town centre from Saturday 11th October until Saturday 25th October.
READ MORE
There's loads to see and do – from pet friendly days out to breakfast with dinosaurs, loch tours and much more!
READ MORE
Scotland's largest wedding showcase, The Scottish Wedding Show, returns to Glasgow this weekend, ready to welcome thousands of couples from across the country looking to plan their dream day!
READ MORE
Keela, the Scottish outdoor clothing brand, and Mountaineering Scotland Launch ‘Within You’, an new three-month campaign, inspiring Confidence, Connection, and Adventure in the Outdoors!
READ MORE
Scotland's national celebration of books, Book Week Scotland, returns from 17th to 23rd November and tickets are on sale now!
READ MORE
Dobbies Garden Centres is lifting community spirits this season with a Christmas tree donation across the country, in partnership with Needlefresh.
READ MORE
Former Celtic and Scotland football heroes to join ex-player with MND on 150-mile March of The Day to raise funds to help tackle the disease.
READ MORE