art exhibition – Gill Walton SSA

Borders Art Fair 2024

I hope you’ll join me 15th to the 17th March at Borders Events Centre, KELSO TD5 for the annual Borders Art Fair.

I’ve been busy busy getting new work and a new series made for the art fair. Look out for the debut of ‘Reliquaries’. These works are what I feel future reliquaries might be, holding sacred the loss of biodiversity. They are beautiful and precious and reverential pieces.

This year I will be sharing a space again with my friend and colleague, Rebekah Tolley-Georgiou. You will find us on stand #70 where we will be exhibiting some new collaborative pieces alongside our own works. We are very excited with our new work and look forward to showing it to you.

On Thursday evening there will be a private view. If you would like to attend the private view please contact me for details of how to register for one of the limited number of free tickets. There will be an exceptionally good jazz band playing, it just happens to be my partner John’s trio.

On Saturday, between 12pm and 2pm, I will be giving a live demonstration of my drawing process in the ‘Artists at Work’ area. I also have some recorded workshops on the Borders Art Fair website.

In other news

‘The Philosopher and the Golden Sun’ became the cover image for the Art Mag this month.

Look out for my next newsletter where I will be telling you all about ‘Inception Art Show’ at Dalkeith Country Palace.

We Won an Award

Artists, Rebekah Tolley-Georgiou and Gill Walton have collaborated to create ‘Sotto Voce,’ a large-scale, multimedia artwork incorporating vintage star cluster images and ancient dog roses. Printed on quality rag paper and overlaid with drawing, pigments and gold and silver, it recently won the Past Presidents Prize at the Society of Scottish Artists Annual Exhibition. The artists intend to produce more pieces, with an exhibition planned for 2024/25. The artwork is available for sale until January 2024.

Recently, I have been collaborating with my long time friend and colleague, Rebekah Tolley-Georgiou, to create a couple of large scale, complex, beautiful pieces. They are a combination of my drawing and Rebekah’s skills with mixed media composing. She included (amongst other things) vintage glass plate negatives of star clusters taken through a telescope in the 1800s and dog wood flowers that died more than 200 years ago. The resulting image was printed onto highest quality archival rag paper, we then both worked over the top of the image with drawings and pigments and gold and silver leaf.

We are very proud of this work, we feel she is magnificent in all the details, from the stars to the tiniest flower. Our goddess is quiet but oh, so powerful, hence the title ‘Sotto Voce’

To our delight ‘Sotto Voce II’ was chosen to be exhibited in this year’s Society of Scottish Artists Annual Exhibition at the MacLaurin Galleries in Ayr this year and to further that delight, she won an award!

The Prize was awarded by Kate Downie PPSSA RSA, she stated that she was moved by the way our piece held her presence. “it is a very detailed piece but she holds sway over the room and has a quiet power.” Just what we thought Kate!

Rebekah and I have set the intention to produce much more work together next year with a view to holding an exhibition of the series in 2024/25.

The piece is currently available for sale from the MacLaurin Gallery until January 2024

I also have two pieces in the 30×30 online exhibition which runs alongside the annual exhibition.

The Alchemist’s Pot- 2023- Graphite, beeswax and bronze- 30cm x 30cm, £320
Vessel Hand Eye_2023_GraphiteBeeswaxBronze_26cmx30cm, £320

In other news

Two of my Alchemy series are currently in the Winter Exhibition at the Graystone Gallery in Stockbridge, Edinburgh. This is a new gallery in a very beautiful space and a great location. The exhibition runs until the 25th January and includes many wonderful Scottish artists. Pay a visit if you can.

Keep in touch because I will be busy next year. I am back at Borders Art Fair in March and Inception in May with a new series of work based on Reliquaries.

REVEAL (aka Glasgow Contemporary Art Fair)

Events come thick and fast at this time of year: Borders Art Fair in Kelso; Inception in Dalkeith; and now REVEAL in Glasgow.

JOIN ME AT REVEAL|| Along with having a new name, Glasgow CAF will be moving from Kelvingrove Art Gallery to its new home at the SEC, Scotland’s foremost events venue. The exhibition takes place from 19-21 May 2023.

Similar to the Borders Art Fair in March, I’ll be sharing an exhibition stand with my friend and fellow artist, Rebekah Tolley-Giorgiou. We will show one collaborative piece as well as our individual works.

My recent works explore the alchemy of materials transforming base elements such as graphite, beeswax and metals into something precious with a hint of magic. I began using silver and beeswax during the pandemic because of their healing properties and discovered that this unusual mix of media gives the work a sculpted and solid feel; the flesh becomes more fleshy.

This drawing process, one which is unique to me, uses symbolic imagery from the early alchemists (Isaac Holland’s ‘Philosopher’s Hand’) and mixes in a touch of humanity, a dash of emotion and combines it with waxes and metals and graphite to create something more precious than the sum of it’s parts.

Tickets are now available for the exhibition. Full details can be found on the REVEAL website. The times are as follows:

Friday 19^th, 6pm- 9pm, Preview Evening (you need to register in advance as a guest for this, see image below for details)
Saturday 20^th, 10am-5pm, open for the public.
Sunday 21^st, 10am-5pm, open for the public.

You can follow Reveal’s social media posts on Twitter (@reveal_glasgow), Facebook (@revealglasgow) and Instagram (@reveal_glasgow) Please do follow their accounts and like and share their posts.

Next! Inception at Dalkeith

It is spring and Art Fair season is in full flow. Thank you to everyone who came to Borders Art Fair (BAF), it was lovely to see you, and an especially warm thanks to everyone who supported Rebekah (my co-exhibitor) and myself by collecting a piece of art.

BAF do a lot of activities around the exhibition including recorded demonstrations and workshops by some of their finest artists, including me! You will find me talking about the artistic process, the evolution of ideas and how I produce my graphite and beeswax drawings. The video is still available.

Inception Art Show

Next up: JOIN ME AT INCEPTION ART SHOW || The exhibition returns to Dalkeith Palace from 4th – 14th May 2023. This year offers an extended programme and beautifully curated collection of sculptors, artists, photographers and painters. Hosted by Dalkeith Country Palace, this really is an art extravaganza and could fill a whole day.

Tickets are now available for the exhibition and a spectacular Art & Supper evening with Richard Demarco, Artist-led Workshops and Curator & Palace tours.

The programme also features an online charity auction, which opens on 24th April, raising funds for Make 2nds Count, a breast cancer charity. I will be auctioning my drawing ‘Response To Rodin’.

I was asked by the Society of Scottish Artists (SSA) to produce this as a response to Rodin’s portrait head of Victor Hugo, it was exhibited alongside the original Rodin sculpture at their Annual Exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh.

Rodin’s head of Victor Hugo with my drawing behind it

It was an honour to be in such a prestigious exhibition and I am happy to be able to offer it for auction. The rest of my work can be found upstairs in The Queen’s Bedroom.

Inception is open from 10am – 4pm daily from 4th – 14th May 2023. Entrance tickets cost £3 and are now on sale. To book your tickets for the exhibition or events please visit their website. I hope to see you there!

I’d love to invite you to the evening private view on Friday 5th of May. Ensure you specify the date when you RSVP becasue there is a separate corporate event:

Borders Art Fair and a collaboration 40 years in the making

Only a few days until Borders Art Fair 2023 returns to Kelso in the Scottish Borders.

Friday 17th to Sunday 19th March 2023 with a preview evening on Thursday 16th.

https://www.bordersartfair.com/

This year I will be sharing stand number 32 with my friend of almost 40 years, Rebekah Tolley-Georgiou.

We were undergraduates together, lectured in the same art colleges and did a residency @marchmontcreativespaces together. We have been through many ups and downs over the years and have been great supporters of each others work but this will be the first time we have collaborated on a piece. How special is that?

The piece is called ‘In Sotto Voce’ and will take centre stage on our shared stand.

All the work on show will be new to the Art Fair

My current work explores the use of metals and elemental materials, similar to the work of alchemists. They endevoured to create gold from lead and base materials, I believe this is what art can do: elevate mundane matter into something more than the sum of its parts.

Finally, I recorded an online demonstration/ lecture for Borders Art Fair, it is on the subject of ‘The Artist’s Journey’, the development of ideas and the artistic process. It explains in detail how I have produced some of the work at the fair.

Open Studio Weekend 5th to 8th August 2022

It is with great pleasure and anticipation (tinged with a hint of sadness) that I announce my final open studio weekend at The Artist’s House this August.

Friday 5th 11am – 6pm
Saturday 6th 11am – 6pm
Sunday 7th 11am – 6pm
Monday 8th 11am – 2pm

No need to book, everyone will be made welcome. Refreshments will be available for a small donation.

If you cannot make it or wish to pre-order work, please visit my Available Work page and get in touch. There is a range of limited-edition prints also available.

You will find me at The Artist’s House, Allanbank, Duns, Scottish Borders, TD11 3PY.

TD11 3PY

My house and studio is going on the market shortly and, as it is already clean and tidy, I have decided to open it up to the public one last time so you can help me wish the place a fond farewell.

There are other events over the same weekend within a short walk of my house.

Oil on Water an exhibition of work from Donald Ritchie and Linda Foster is at Allanbank Arts.
My neighbours, Pauline Burbidge and Charlie Poulsen also have an open studio. It is by appointment only, you can book a slot here:

Thank You!

Huge thanks to everyone who has said hello, followed me on social media and bought a print or an original artwork from me this month. It is all so very important to an artist and I am so grateful for all your support.

The last few months have been a bit of a whirlwind, starting with the Borders Art Fair (Kelso) in March, followed quickly by Inception Art Show (Dalkeith Country Palace) and Glasgow Contemporary Art Fair (Kelvingrove) in May. Phew!

Inbetween all of that I have shown work in the White Fox gallery, the Heriot gallery, Battersea Art Fair and a key piece (still available for purchase) in the Royal Scottish Academy Annual Exhibition on Edinburgh’s Princess Street.

I still have a few pieces left on my available work page (but not much) and will shortly be showing with Heriot Gallery at Fresh art Fair Cheltenham and Colinton Arts and White Fox gallery for their summer shows.

Productivity may slow down over the next few months, partly because I need to lie in a darkened room for a few days and partly because I will be selling my house and studio in The Scottish Borders and hopefully getting myself a bigger studio (maybe two).

For up to date information about where I end up and future exhibitions please follow me on social media @gillwaltonartist or sign up for my email newsletter. you can do this on the bottom of every page on my website.

Glasgow Art Fair Tickets and other lovely stuff

I will be exhibiting at Glasgow Contemporary Art Fair again after a three year gap.

VENUE, DATE & TIME

Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

27th May 2022

6.00pm-9.00pm Preview Evening.
Advance Tickets Only. I have a small number of complementary tickets available, you must RSVP before the 23rd May. These tickets are normally £9 and entry includes a free glass of Prosecco or soft drink on arrival.

28th Saturday May

10.00am-5.30pm

29th Sunday May

10.00am-5.00pm

You can find your free weekend E-ticket below otherwise, tickets available on the door.

Adults £4.00
Concessions and Students £3.00
Children Free

Invitation to the Private View

This should be a very lively and enjoyable event, remember to RSVP before 23rd of May and state my name. This link takes you straight to the GCAF email. Book your tickets HERE

Complimentary ticket

‘Breathing’ has been accepted into the Royal Scottish Academy Annual Exhibition

For the second time within a year I have a piece hung in the Royal Scottish Academy galleries in the heart of Edinburgh. Visit the exhibition HERE.

Limited-edition prints

I have made ‘Breathing’ (see below) and a selection of my best drawings into a series of very high quality and limited edition prints. Some are hand-rendered with silver leaf and each one is numbered and signed. I can post out to anywhere in the UK.

Inception Art Show

I had a wonderful weekend at Dalkeith Country Palace last weekend. It was a collection of over thirty of the best contemporary British artists curated by the estate of the Duke of Bucchleuch. He himself bought one of my Breath Series drawings last year. Another of my pieces made it into the family this year, what an honour!

I love participating in the show and am hoping to be invited back in September.

‘Breathing’ selected for the 196th RSA annual exhibition.

I am delighted to say that one of my favourite and most meaningful drawings has been selected to hang in the Royal Scottish Academy galleries. This is my second time in the gallery within a year and the honour is not passing me by. The exhibition has many of Scotland and the world’s best artists alongside mere mortals like myself.

‘Breathing’ is available to buy from the exhibition. The RSA are part of ‘Own Art’ scheme so it is possible to pay in 10 interest free instalments of £95.

https://www.rsaannualexhibition.org/content/viewing-room/77/artworks-10203-gill-walton-breathing-2021/

Exhibition dates

23 April – 12 June 2022

Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm

Visit the exhibition

Free entry | Illustrated exhibition catalogue £3

RSA Upper and Lower Galleries

Royal Scottish Academy The Mound Edinburgh EH2 2EL

Sales enquiries

For further information about works for sale, please get in touch.

Sales desks: 0131 624 6556 / 6314

Gallery Manager: Flora La Thangue floralathangue@royalscottishacademy.org

Programme Coordinator: Amy Cameron amycameron@royalscottishacademy.org

If you cannot visit the gallery in person you can view the exhibition and online here

https://www.rsaannualexhibition.org/about/

Borders Art Fair 2022

25th to 27th March

I am delighted to be back at the Borders Art Fair. This is aways a joyous event full of wonderful artists and I am looking forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new people, I hope you are one of them.

I have a 6-meter-long stand (number 62) packed full of new work much of which hasn’t been exhibited before.

Entry is by donation and more details can be found at bordersartfair.com.

Border Events Centre,
Border Union Showground,
KELSO
TD5 8LS.

The Wonders of Composition and Artist’s Talk

It’s more than just an art fair — BAF organise many activities around the event. Earlier this year I recorded a workshop on composition for BAF and an artist’s talk. It is all on their website for free, have a look at that and the other online workshops and events they have put together for us.

A previous winner of the BAF Best Exhibitor Stand prize, Gill will take you through the basics of the classical composition techniques that she uses in her own stunning work.”

Other news …

Look out for details of work accepted into the Royal Scottish Academy Annual Exhibition and (potentially) the Aberdeen Artist’s Society Annual Exhibition. I have been pre-selected for both!

The next exhibition is Inception Art Show, Friday 6 May – Sunday 8 May. Inception art show returns to Dalkeith Country Park this May. An impressive roll-call of respected sculptors, artists, photographers and painters will be exhibiting within Dalkeith Palace. Then closely followed by Glasgow Contemporary Art Fair, Friday 27 May – Sunday 29 May. Held in a marquee in the grounds of the impressive Kelvingrove Art Gallery, it is full of original, affordable and inspiring art.