Perth Art Gallery has revealed its next exhibition will be William Gillies: Modernism and Nation, in partnership with Royal Scottish Academy and with financial support from Museums Galleries Scotland. The exhibition will be free for all to enjoy and will open on Friday 15 November.
William Gillies was born in Haddington in 1898, studied at Edinburgh College of Art and served in the First World War. Through his life it was estimated that he painted over 2,000 works. Whilst Gillies primarily painted landscapes and still-life throughout his career, these works frequently featured the Lothians, Fife and the Border regions. Many of his works also featured ceramics, created by his younger sister, Emma Smith Gillies, who sadly died in 1936, aged thirty-six. Gillies was enrolled in at the Edinburgh College of Art when he was called up for service during the First World War in 1917. He served, returning to the college in 1919. After the completion of his studies, Gillies returned to teaching and continued to do so for the next 40 years. He was Principal of the Edinburgh College of Art from 1959 until his retirement in 1966. Sir William George Gillies died on 15 April 1973 in his cottage at Temple, Midlothian.
Amy Fairley, Art Officer at Culture Perth and Kinross said, “We’re thrilled to be the only venue in Tayside hosting this nationwide tour from Royal Scottish Academy. Gillies is recognised as one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, so we are delighted be displaying over fifty of his works, alongside some special additions from our own collections which will only be on display at Perth Art Gallery. Whether you are already a fan of William Gillies or discovering him for the first time, we hope everyone will enjoy this fresh look at one of Scotland’s most important painters.
Sandy Wood, RSA’s Head of Collections says: ‘We are delighted to be presenting William Gillies: Modernism and Nation, a touring exhibition from the Royal Scottish Academy, which repositions the life and art of one of Scotland’s most influential modern masters. Gillies loved travelling in Scotland to sketch and paint and so it is fitting to his legacy that this exhibition is touring around the mainland and to the Scottish islands; giving audiences around the country the opportunity to discover a new story about one of our great artists.”
Lucy Casot, CEO of Museums Galleries Scotland, added: “We’re delighted that our funding has enabled museums and galleries right across Scotland to participate in this landmark exploration of the life and work of William Gillies. This touring exhibition highlights how cultural organisations can collaborate to reach new audiences and increase the impact of their work.”
The exhibition will also be accompanied by a rich programme of events and activities at Perth Art Gallery. Two highlights include an exclusive tour with Sandy Wood, Head of Collections at the Royal Scottish Academy on 27th February 2025, and an evening with Andrew McPherson, author of William Gillies: Modernism and Nation in British Art on 22nd February 2025. Tickets for both events are available from Perthshire Box Office.
Admission to William Gillies: Modernism and Nation is free but donations are always welcome.
Perth Art Gallery is open Thursday to Monday from 10am.