Biography

Mary Margot Sandeman, known as Margot, was born in Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire. Her parents were artists and she grew up surrounded by art. She studied at Glasgow School of Art at the same time as notable artists Joan Eardley, Cordelia Oliver, and Moira Beaty whom she remained friends with after leaving the university before her third year. Throughout her early career she mainly painted in oils and was greatly influenced by poetry, often including literary and poetic references in her paintings. Nature was central to Sandeman’s work and she was inspired by her surroundings, particularly the island of Arran where she spent many summers with her family. She experimented with ceramics, and towards the end of her career she painted still lifes which led to collaborations with artist Ian Hamilton Finlay who was a friend from her student days. Sandeman was a member of the Society of Scottish Artists and she exhibited widely in Scotland throughout her career.