RGI 2013 152nd Annual Art Exhibition, McLellan Galleries Glasgow

Home » Art & artists Glasgow West End » RGI 2013 152nd Annual Art Exhibition, McLellan Galleries Glasgow

RGI 2013 152nd Annual Art Exhibition, McLellan Galleries Glasgow

The Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts Annual Exhibition returns to the McLellan Galleries, 270 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow

10 November – 8 December 2013

The McLellan Galleries is open to the public for the first time in 7 years, and expects to welcome thousands of visitors to the biggest contemporary art exhibition in Scotland.

The exhibition features artworks by the UK’s best-known artists showing an impressive array of selected entries by established and emerging artists from across the UK. And, for the first time in its history, the exhibition will feature fine art photography. Open daily (except Monday) from 10 am until 6 pm

The Exhibition

Jim and I went along today with his dad, Jimmy. It was lovely being back in the McLellan Gallery, the perfect home for this brilliant exhibition. The variety is fantastic with paintings of all types including beautiful water colours – Una B. Shanks’ ‘Summer shower’ is glorious. My favourite oil painting was by George Devlin – ‘Disneyland for Grown Ups’ – I loved its rich inky blues and gold. Also in the exhibition are many vibrant still lives and city scapes, including some of familiar Glasgow Streets such as Athole Gardens and Wilton Street.

There are paintings by both recognisable and up and coming artists. Jim gave me a bit of a shock when he pointed to a nude bathing belle and said ‘I know that one’ – thankfully he meant the artist – he had recognised the distinctive style of Alasdair Gray in his painting ‘May Hooper on a Very Striped Coverlet’.

There is some great photography and I also loved the quirky installations, including the football match. The architects’ models of different projects are fascinating and these were Jimmy’s favourite aspect of the exhibition. There are also some very unusual sculptures and we particularly liked Shona Riaz’ ‘I Dream Of The Sea’, in needle felt wool.

Jim liked ‘Waiting’ by Elaine Speirs also Gordon G Henderson’s ‘Gable-ends’ and his favourite was by Katie Carlisle ‘Your Vegas Nerve’. Katie is winner of RGI Fine Art Graduate Prize 2013

Today (10th November) was the opening day and the exhibition got off to a great start. Michael Dale, the Events Manager, was in great form as was Karin Currie, President of the RGI Council. RGI have invested £100,000 towards mounting the exhibition and to help bring the McLellan Galleries back to life. Both the venue and the art are pretty spectacular – we are so lucky in Glasgow to be able to go along for free. Don’t miss this wonderful exhibition.

Pat Byrne,
10th November, 2013

(photographs at exhibition by Jim Byrne see more)