A Scotscalder man, considered one of the most important painters in Scotland today, will have a solo exhibition in Glasgow next month called ‘Life is a Strange Place’.

Neil MacPherson, a graduate of the Glasgow School of Art, had his first solo show in the Compass Gallery in 1986 and will return to the gallery for the up-and-coming exhibition which starts on October 12.

Neil MacPherson in his studio at Scotscalder. Picture suppliedNeil MacPherson in his studio at Scotscalder. Picture supplied
Neil MacPherson in his studio at Scotscalder. Picture supplied
'A man feeling anxious in the presence of a beautiful woman' by Neil MacPherson.'A man feeling anxious in the presence of a beautiful woman' by Neil MacPherson.
‘A man feeling anxious in the presence of a beautiful woman’ by Neil MacPherson.
'Fear Not Young Horatio', acrylic on Arches paper.'Fear Not Young Horatio', acrylic on Arches paper.
‘Fear Not Young Horatio’, acrylic on Arches paper.

Receiving numerous awards over the years, Neil has been appointed as a Royal Scottish Academician, as well as a member of the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour and the Royal Glasgow Institute.

His work is widely exhibited in national institutions including the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh; the Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh. Throughout his career, he has exhibited widely throughout Scotland and further afield.

Neil says of this show: “My studio is in an old byre attached to the house. This is on the edge of the vast Flow Country of Caithness and Sutherland. Wet, dangerous, boggy moorlands. The name comes from the Norse meaning ‘water lands’.

'Love is a Strange Place', oil on canvas.'Love is a Strange Place', oil on canvas.
‘Love is a Strange Place’, oil on canvas.

“The paintings come from many sources: listening and speaking to the neighbouring farmers who have worked the land for generations, reading about the lives, history and myths of the north, and the marks left on the land by generations of grinding hard work.

“Every day I walk for an hour in all conditions before starting work at 9am. This clears the mind and brings the day into the studio, whether wet, cold, covered in snow, driving wind or warmed by the occasional sun.

Neil MacPherson's 'People Who Play Together, Friday Night', oil canvas.Neil MacPherson's 'People Who Play Together, Friday Night', oil canvas.
Neil MacPherson’s ‘People Who Play Together, Friday Night’, oil canvas.
'Queen of a Small Country', oil on board.'Queen of a Small Country', oil on board.
‘Queen of a Small Country’, oil on board.

“These change daily and add to the work on the easel. I prefer to work by natural light. The summer brings 17 hours of long working days, changing slowly to 5 hours of cold light in the winter.

“Strong colour has always been important to my painting. The light of the north is a clear light that enhances the surrounding colours of the sea and land.

“Over the years this light has had a strong effect on the colours in my work. The lived stories, colour, seasons, and personal experiences come together and can be seen in these new paintings.”

'Champion of Champions', acrylic on Arches paper.'Champion of Champions', acrylic on Arches paper.
‘Champion of Champions’, acrylic on Arches paper.
'Flowers on a Wall', acrylic on paper.'Flowers on a Wall', acrylic on paper.
‘Flowers on a Wall’, acrylic on paper.

A spokesperson for the Compass Gallery states: “A highly creative and skilled painter, his work comes from the myths and legends of the far north where he lives and works. Inspired by Gaelic and Celtic folklore, his colourful paintings illustrate some of the small yet fundamental truths found in nature, humanity and life itself.

“Neil MacPherson creates a surreal poetic world, the paintings involve the beautiful narrative which explores ancient tales, religion, myths and poetry. Often autobiographical, he explores relationships in a romantic and a poetic way.”

'All The Way To America', oil on canvas.'All The Way To America', oil on canvas.
‘All The Way To America’, oil on canvas.
'The East is Red the Sun is Rising'. Acrylic on Arches paper'The East is Red the Sun is Rising'. Acrylic on Arches paper
‘The East is Red the Sun is Rising’. Acrylic on Arches paper

This new exhibition called ‘Life is a Strange Place’ will include over 25 new paintings, and opens on October 12 from noon till 4pm, where the artist will be present.

For further information on the works, please contact Compass Gallery on 0141 221 6370 or mail@compassgallery.co.uk

All paintings are for sale, and Compass Gallery is a not-for-profit registered charity.


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