Exhibitions
- Paul Sandby: Picturing Britain
- What you see is where you're at
- BP Portrait Award 2009
- Agnes Martin
- 'Painter' and The Studio
- Sir Peter Lely: Artist and Collector
- The Gallery of Modern Art: A History
- Wild Rovers - Parallel Lives in Crieff
- Art Competition for Schools 2009 at The MacRobert Art Centre, Stirling
- Old Masters: New Masters
- The Printmaker's Art
- Strange Encounters
Events/Talks/Lectures
Talks & Lectures
Snapshot of the Mind: A Journey - Artist's Talk by Jennifer McRae
'The delicate thread of continuity is guided through a process of human interaction and practical endeavour to return to first base; the “snapshot” in the mind’s eye, the first impression, the very seed of inspiration.' Artist Jennifer McRae, who features in this year's BP Portrait Award and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery's collection, gives an insight into her work.
more- Tuesday, 9th February 2010
- 12.45-1.30pm
Courses
The Russian Avant-Garde: From the Icon to the Black Square and Beyond (Session 5)
In the first three decades of the twentieth century, the Russian Avant-Garde made an outstanding contribution to Western painting. In particular, Russian artists like Kazimir Malevich and Wassily Kandinsky pioneered abstraction. This seven-week course led by Professor Christina Lodder, Honorary Fellow, University of Edinburgh, will focus on movements like Neo-primitivism, Cubo-Futurism, Suprematism and Constructivism, but it will also place these within the context of the country’s distinctive artistic culture - namely the tradition of icon painting, popular prints (lubki), and the way Western trends were assimilated from the eighteenth century onwards. Session 5 - Destroying the Mimetic Tradition: Kandinsky, Cubo-Futurism and Rayism.
more- Wednesday, 10th February 2010
- 6-7.30pm
Courses
The Drawing Room (February)
Explore different mark-making processes in these monthly, experimental drawing sessions inspired by the modern collection, led by a contemporary artist.
more- Thursday, 11th February 2010
- 5.30-6.45pm
Special Events
Artists' Books in Focus (February)
The Book in Focus sessions will highlight less well-known areas of the Gallery’s Artists’ Books Collection, focusing on the work of Valentine Hugo and Valentine Penrose.
more- Thursday, 11th February 2010
- 11.30am-12.30pm
Courses
Monthly Life Drawing Class (February)
See how others have portrayed the human figure, then work from a model, with guidance from artists Damian Callan or Graham Flack.
more- Thursday, 11th February 2010
- 5.30-7.30PM
Courses
The Art of Noise - Drawing and Mark-Making with a Musical Theme - Session 3
Explore artworks from the collection with a musical theme, make studies of instruments and musicians, and experiment with different drawing techniques. An innovative and inspiring five-week led by artist, Damian Callan. Includes a visit to Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments.
more- Thursday, 11th February 2010
- 1.30-4.15pm
Talks & Lectures
Gallery of Modern Art Highlights Tours February
A tour of the Gallery of Modern Art's new re-hang, focusing on key paintings. Meet at the main entrance.
more- Saturday, 13th February 2010
- 2-2.45pm & 3-3.45pm
Courses
Printed Gestures: An Exploration of Body Language - Session 1
Explore how physical gestures are used within paintings as a tool for telling stories. Cut figures into linoleum and explore the possibilities of creating narrative through gesture by printing mixed-media scrolls. Workshop led by artist Sarah Gittins.
more- Saturday, 13th February 2010
- 10.30am-4pm
Talks & Lectures
A [very] small act in the City
Sleeper is an artists' space conceived and curated by artist Alan Johnston, and is embedded within the basement of Reiach and Hall Architects. Neil Gillespie, Director of the practice, gives a talk on the influence this space has had on the artists who have shown there.
more- Tuesday, 16th February 2010
- 12.45-1.30pm
Courses
The Russian Avant-Garde: From the Icon to the Black Square and Beyond (Session 6)
In the first three decades of the twentieth century, the Russian Avant-Garde made an outstanding contribution to Western painting. In particular, Russian artists like Kazimir Malevich and Wassily Kandinsky pioneered abstraction. This seven-week course led by Professor Christina Lodder, Honorary Fellow, University of Edinburgh, will focus on movements like Neo-primitivism, Cubo-Futurism, Suprematism and Constructivism, but it will also place these within the context of the country’s distinctive artistic culture - namely the tradition of icon painting, popular prints (lubki), and the way Western trends were assimilated from the eighteenth century onwards. Session 6 - Abstract Art: Malevich’s Black Square of 1915 and the zero of form.
more- Wednesday, 17th February 2010
- 6-7.30pm
Courses
Experimenting with Textiles in 3-D - Session 1
Take textile materials out of their comfort zone in creative and imaginative ways. Explore the possibilities of working in 3-D using different techniques. Inspired by works in the collection and led by artists Lindsey Hamilton and Tessa Asquith-Lamb.
more- Wednesday, 17th February 2010
- 1.30-4.30pm
Courses
Words on Canvas II - Creative Writing Sessions (Session 3: Week 1)
With the original group formed almost two years ago, Words on Canvas II is aimed at a new set of writers. The first part of the fortnightly session, led by an artist or writer, involves looking at and discussing artworks; in the second, participants will share writing created in the interim.
more- Thursday, 18th February 2010
- 5.30-7.30pm
Courses
The Art of Noise - Drawing and Mark-Making with a Musical Theme - Session 4
Explore artworks from the collection with a musical theme, make studies of instruments and musicians, and experiment with different drawing techniques. An innovative and inspiring five-week led by artist, Damian Callan. Includes a visit to Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments.
more- Thursday, 18th February 2010
- 1.30-4.15pm
Special Events
Live Music Now: Ailie Robertson
Celebrate St Valentine’s Day with music and tales of love and romance from Scotland and France played by one of Scotland’s finest young clarsach players, Ailie Robertson. In association with Live Music Now Scotland.
more- Thursday, 18th February 2010
- 6-6.30pm
Courses
Symbolism in Chinese and Western Art - Session 1
It's the Chinese New Year and artist Suzanne Chong will lead a gallery tour comparing the symbolic language used in Western and Chinese Art, followed by a brush painting workshop based on auspicious symbols in the Chinese culture such as the pine tree, goldfish, plum branch and peony. The second session will take place on 26th February 2010.
more- Friday, 19th February 2010
- 10.30am-4pm
Talks & Lectures
'Quiet Sentiment and Mysterious Magnitude': William McTaggart
Ailsa Turner, art historian, celebrates William McTaggart's paintings to mark 100th anniversary of his death.
more- Friday, 19th February 2010
- 12.45-1.30pm
Courses
Printed Gestures: An Exploration of Body Language - Session 2
Explore how physical gestures are used within paintings as a tool for telling stories. Cut figures into linoleum and explore the possibilities of creating narrative through gesture by printing mixed-media scrolls. Workshop led by artist Sarah Gittins.
more- Saturday, 20th February 2010
- 10.30am-4pm
Children & Families
Bags of Art in February
Collect a bag of new activities from the Art Station to help your family explore the collection and create your own artwork. Supported by the Friends of the National Galleries of Scotland.
more- Sunday, 21st February 2010
- 2-4pm
Talks & Lectures
David Schutter
Keith Hartley, Chief Curator at the Gallery of Modern Art, gives a talk on the work of contemporary artist David Schutter, who features as part of the Gallery's re-hang.
more- Monday, 22nd February 2010
- 12.45-1.15pm
Talks & Lectures
Léger and Beckmann: Aestheticising the Trauma of War
In response to Gallery of Modern Art's re-hang, featuring the painting of Fernand Léger and Max Beckmann, Dr Jonathan Blackwood, Duncan of Jordanstone College of Fine Art, compares and contrasts their work as differing visual responses to the trauma of the Great War. Léger, closely associated with the French Purist movement, sought in his work an idealised, classicised vision of a society trying to reconstruct itself after the horrors of the 1914-18 conflict. Beckmann, by contrast, used expressionist techniques to focus with painful intensity on the shattered ruins of Wilhelmine Germany and its uncertain future in the new Weimar republic.
more- Tuesday, 23rd February 2010
- 12.45-1.30pm
Courses
The Russian Avant-Garde: From the Icon to the Black Square and Beyond (Session 7)
In the first three decades of the twentieth century, the Russian Avant-Garde made an outstanding contribution to Western painting. In particular, Russian artists like Kazimir Malevich and Wassily Kandinsky pioneered abstraction. This seven-week course led by Professor Christina Lodder, Honorary Fellow, University of Edinburgh, will focus on movements like Neo-primitivism, Cubo-Futurism, Suprematism and Constructivism, but it will also place these within the context of the country’s distinctive artistic culture - namely the tradition of icon painting, popular prints (lubki), and the way Western trends were assimilated from the eighteenth century onwards. Session 7 - Building a New World: Constructivism.
more- Wednesday, 24th February 2010
- 6-7.30pm
Communities
National Gallery Collection for the Visually Impaired
A descriptive tour and practical workshop led by Juliana Capes, looking at the permanent collection at the National Gallery.
more- Wednesday, 24th February 2010
- 10am-3.30pm
Courses
Creative Writing Course - Session 1
A five-week course led by creative writing tutor Helen Boden. There will be discussion-led tours exploring different parts of the collection, which will provide the inspiration for the writing sessions.
more- Wednesday, 24th February 2010
- 1.30-4.30pm
Courses
Experimenting with Textiles in 3-D - Session 2
Take textile materials out of their comfort zone in creative and imaginative ways. Explore the possibilities of working in 3-D using different techniques. Inspired by works in the collection and led by artists Lindsey Hamilton and Tessa Asquith-Lamb.
more- Wednesday, 24th February 2010
- 1.30-4.30pm
Courses
The Art of Noise - Drawing and Mark-Making with a Musical Theme - Session 5
Explore artworks from the collection with a musical theme, make studies of instruments and musicians, and experiment with different drawing techniques. An innovative and inspiring five-week led by artist, Damian Callan. Includes a visit to Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments.
more- Thursday, 25th February 2010
- 1.30-4.15pm
Courses
Symbolism in Chinese and Western Art - Session 2
It's the Chinese New Year and artist Suzanne Chong will lead a gallery tour comparing the symbolic language used in Western and Chinese Art, followed by a brush painting workshop based on auspicious symbols in the Chinese culture such as the pine tree, goldfish, plum branch and peony.
more- Friday, 26th February 2010
- 10.30am-4pm
Talks & Lectures
National Gallery Highlights February Tours
An introduction and tour of the National Gallery's permanent collection, focusing on key paintings. Meet at the main entrance.
more- Saturday, 27th February 2010
- 2-2.45pm & 3-3.45pm
Children & Families
Saturday Studio - Sculpture - Session 1 (Ages 11-15)
A four-week sculpture course led by Juliana Capes, exploring different approaches to sculpture across the centuries in the Galleries' permanent collection. Meet at the Weston Link Information Desk.
more- Saturday, 27th February 2010
- 1.30-4.30pm
Children & Families
Saturday Art Club - Sculpture - Session 1 (Ages 5-11)
A four-week sculpture course, inspired by modern artworks in the collection, led by Ailsa Lochhead.
more- Saturday, 27th February 2010
- 10am-12noon; 1.30-3.30pm
Courses
Creative Writing Course - Session 2
A five-week course led by creative writing tutor Helen Boden. There will be discussion-led tours exploring different parts of the collection, which will provide the inspiration for the writing sessions.
more- Wednesday, 3rd March 2010
- 1.30-4.30pm
Courses
Experimenting with Textiles in 3-D - Session 3
Take textile materials out of their comfort zone in creative and imaginative ways. Explore the possibilities of working in 3-D using different techniques. Inspired by works in the collection and led by artists Lindsey Hamilton and Tessa Asquith-Lamb.
more- Wednesday, 3rd March 2010
- 1.30-4.30pm
Courses
Words on Canvas II - Creative Writing Sessions (Session 3: Week 2)
With the original group formed almost two years ago, Words on Canvas II is aimed at a new set of writers. The first part of the fortnightly session, led by an artist or writer, involves looking at and discussing artworks; in the second, participants will share writing created in the interim.
more- 4th to 5th March 2010
- 5.30-7.30pm
Children & Families
Saturday Studio - Sculpture - Session 2 (Ages 11-15)
A four-week sculpture course led by Juliana Capes, exploring different approaches to sculpture across the centuries in the Galleries' permanent collection. Meet at the Weston Link Information Desk.
more- Saturday, 6th March 2010
- 1.30-4.30pm
Children & Families
Saturday Art Club - Sculpture - Session 2 (Ages 5-11)
A four-week sculpture course, inspired by modern artworks in the collection, led by Ailsa Lochhead.
more- Saturday, 6th March 2010
- 10am-12noon; 1.30-3.30pm
Courses
Creative Writing Course - Session 3
A five-week course led by creative writing tutor Helen Boden. There will be discussion-led tours exploring different parts of the collection, which will provide the inspiration for the writing sessions.
more- Wednesday, 10th March 2010
- 1.30-4.30pm
Courses
Experimenting with Textiles in 3-D - Session 4
Take textile materials out of their comfort zone in creative and imaginative ways. Explore the possibilities of working in 3-D using different techniques. Inspired by works in the collection and led by artists Lindsey Hamilton and Tessa Asquith-Lamb.
more- Wednesday, 10th March 2010
- 1.30-4.30pm