William Gillies: Modernism and Nation A Royal Scottish Academy Touring Exhibition

Wed – Mon 11:00 – 16:00 (closed Tue)

Sandy Wood, RSA’s Collections Curator says:
‘We are delighted to be presenting William Gillies:
Modernism and Nation, an exhibition
which repositions the life and art of one of Scotland’s
modern masters. Gillies’ influence
through generations of Scottish artists is palpable in the
RSA’s own collection of modern and
contemporary art. To have the opportunity to reveal the
complexities of Gillies in a new light
in the RSA galleries and all around Scotland befits the
legacy of this great painter.’
Shona Sinclair, Live Borders Museums & Galleries
Curator says:
‘We are excited to be bringing this important touring
exhibition to Hawick Museum & Gallery this summer and
hope that our visitors from across the Scottish Borders and
beyond enjoy the opportunity to see work of this
significance in our beautiful Scott Gallery.
This is also a great chance for us to display a work by Gillies
which is part of the Permanent Art Collection held here at
the museum.
To celebrate the opening of the exhibition we have planned
a fun family event and we encourage everyone to join us for
Painting in the Park on Sat 6 July, 11:00-14:00’
Sir William Gillies RSA, The Red Squirrel, 1942.
© Royal Scottish Academy/Bridgeman Images
Live Borders is registered in Scotland | Registration No SC243577 | Registered Charity No SC034227 © Live Borders
Press Release:
To mark the 125th anniversary of the birth of Sir William George Gillies RSA (1898-1973) and the 50th
anniversary of his death, the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) is celebrating this Scottish artist with Modernism
and Nation, a touring exhibition featuring paintings, drawings, photographs and objects from across his career.
Live Borders are delighted to be working with the RSA to bring this prestigious exhibition to Hawick Museum &
Gallery this summer.
Featuring recognised masterpieces such as his Interior (1938), the sublime Nairn Beach and his RSA Diploma
Deposit Still Life with Yellow Jug and Striped Cloth, the exhibition gives a detailed insight into the life and work
of this renowned artist.
Born in Haddington, Gillies studied at the Edinburgh College of Art. He travelled widely, returning to the college
after the First World War as an accomplished artist and tutor, where he taught for more than forty years until his
retirement as Principal in 1966. Throughout his career, Gillies explored and developed diƯerent approaches to
his painting, absorbing European modernism and redirecting it through an art that was intimately connected to
his life.
Gillies is recognised as one of the most influential Scottish artists of the twentieth century and is said to have
shaped modern Scottish painting and inspired generations of artists.
During the run of this touring exhibition at Hawick Museum, exhibitions of work by two Border artists- Claire
Beattie and Gary Anderson- will be on show too. Both Beattie and Anderson cite Gillies as having influenced
them throughout their careers.
Thanks to funding from Museums Galleries Scotland, a series of events including workshops and artist-led
hikes is planned. More details can be found on the Live Borders website