SCOTLAND'S first major art exhibition of 2023 will debut this weekend.
The Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour (RSW) will open the show in Edinburgh, presenting the work of over 150 artists.
A total of 315 paintings in a variety of styles and subjects will be on display at the Royal Scottish Academy on Princes Street.
Also making a debut this week is the RSW's newly appointed society president Angus McEwan.
McEwan, a multi-award-winning artist born in Dundee, has been a member of the society for more than 25 years, and has had his work exhibited around the world, including in Greece, Italy, Peru, Australia, China and the US.
McEwan said: “The RSW is unique among the artist societies I’ve seen around the world because it brings together artists working in all kinds of styles and techniques.
“Sometimes watercolour is seen as a traditional thing, but you only have to take a look at this show to see how inventive and expressive these artists are.
“It’s a real honour to be elected to this role. I’ve been teaching and doing demonstrations abroad for many years, and I want to support these artists to show their work on international platforms.”
The RSWs 142nd Open Annual Exhibition will showcase artists from around the country, including Marian Leven, Claire Harkess, Ann Oram, James Cosgrove and Ian McKenzie Smith.
A number of selections from an open submission for non-society members will be on display, with entries stretching from as far as the US.
Anne Skinner, Gillian Melville, Jenny Matthews, Pascale Rentsch and Saul Robertson are among 11 new members who will make their exhibition debut, after being elected to the RSW in October.
There will be a feature of memorial works by Anda Paterson and Oscar Goodall – a watercolour, oil and pastel landscape painter who passed away last year.
The free event will run from January 21 through to February 16, 2023.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here