Sheila’s weekly update 54: Conversations with art

This week I went to Edinburgh to drop off a piece for the SSA 30 x 30 exhibition which runs alongside the Society’s annual exhibition. As I was in the capital I took the opportunity to go and see the Alison Watt exhibition “A portrait without likeness” at the National Portrait Gallery of Scotland. The exhibition is a series of works by Alison inspired by the work of the 18th century portrait artist Allan Ramsay. I loved it. I was particularly struck by this quote from her:

“ A painting is a visual record of the inside of the artist’s mind. A painting is something that takes place over time; it is not static. To look at a work of art is to engage with an idea, and that is not a one sided activity. It’s more of a conversation.”

What a conversation this exhibition is! If you are in Edinburgh then do go and see this. I was also struck by the gender imbalance in the gallery. I know that they are trying to address this, but it really did strike me this visit that it really is the powerful that pay for their place in history to be remembered.