The Scottish Gallery are delighted to announce an exhibition of works on paper by Scottish landscape artist Duncan Shanks, covering almost 60 years of his drawing & painting. This exhibition is to coincide with the opening of ‘The Poetry of Place’ at the Hunterian Art Gallery, Glasgow University; a major exhibition celebrating the artist bequest of over 100 sketchbooks.

Anne Dulau Beveridge – Curator at Hunterian Art Gallery writes:
“I first encountered Duncan’s work through his sketchbooks and studio studies as part of a five-year research project based at The Hunterian, University of Glasgow, and founded on the artist’s generous gift of his entire production of sketchbooks – 106 and counting. The research has led to a new understanding of the role of sketching and drawing in Duncan’s work”

The show is a selection of works made by The Scottish Gallery Director, Guy Peploe, from plan chests in the artist’s studio. Nearly all the works are being shown for the first time and offer an exciting discovery of Shank’s less typical works, including piercing self-portraits, still lives, nudes and interiors. Sketches of Florence from his post diploma travel scholarship in 1960 are also to be included.

Many exhibited works relate to a particular series of paintings and to sketchbook studies; they explore nature from every angle. Shank’s approach will vary according to the moment; delicate marks or bold near-abstract strokes, fine drawing or broad gestural marks will be deployed in the artist’s lifelong search for a language to describe impermanence.

Selected Public Collections:
Arts Council of Great Britain; Lillie Art Gallery, Milngavie; Dunbartonshire Education Authority, Lothian Schools Picture Collection; Dundee Art Gallery; Low Parks Museum; Edinburgh City Art Centre; Pitlochry Festival Theatre; Glasgow Art Gallery; Strathclyde Regional Council Education Authority; Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea University of Edinburgh; Government Art Collection University of Glasgow; Highland Council; University of Stirling.