John ('Jack') Knox

West Highland Way

About this artwork

The title of this large canvas refers to the long-distance footpath, which opened in 1980 and runs from Milngavie to the north of Glasgow to Fort William in the Highlands. It was painted shortly after Knox moved back to the west of Scotland in 1981 on his appointment as Head of Drawing and Painting at Glasgow School of Art. Knox uses contrasting colours to create a vibrant image of the autumnal Scottish landscape, with rolling orange hills and bright blue sky. There is a hint of humour in his depiction of a quail in the foreground, drinking from a stream directly in front of a spiky evergreen bush. The quail’s feathers, normally the perfect tone for hiding on the hillside during the hunting season, no longer offer camouflage - it is now a prime target.

Updated before 2020

  • artist:
  • title:
    West Highland Way
  • date created:
    1982
  • materials:
    Oil on canvas
  • measurements:
    152.50 x 182.50 cm; Framed: 154.00 x 184.30 x 3.50 cm
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    Purchased 1987
  • accession number:
    GMA 3009
  • gallery:
  • subject:
  • artwork photographed by:
    Antonia Reeve
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John ('Jack') Knox

John ('Jack') Knox