William Gillies: Modernism and Nation | 8 December 2023 - 26 April 2024

Exhibition on view 8 December 2023 - 26 April 2024

John Gray Centre, Haddington

Visit www.johngraycentre.org for current opening times.

This anniversary exhibition marks 125 years since the birth of one of Scotland’s best-known painters, Sir William Gillies RA RSA (1898-1973). Born in Haddington, Gillies served in the First World War and taught and inspired generations of Scottish artists at Edinburgh College of Art. The face of Scottish painting today would certainly be different without his influence. This exhibition is part of a larger touring project, which can be seen throughout Scotland from 2024 to 2026.

2023 also marks fifty years since Gillies bequeathed his entire estate to the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA). It contains hundreds of paintings, many more drawings, and some of his materials, objects, archives, and library. Since this date the RSA has furthered Gillies’ legacy through research, publishing, and exhibitions, opening his life and art to wider audiences.

In 1998, the RSA Gillies’ centenary exhibition and publication positioned Gillies as a major twentieth century British painter. The present exhibition and associated publication seek to give him wider recognition within the story of British Modernism.

The exhibition is accompanied by a seminal new book William Gillies: Modernism and Nation in British Art. In this new interpretation he is recognised as a uniquely modern artist of his time, in his native Scotland and in the wider British context. It explores the political and cultural position of art in Scotland during Gillies’ life and the existential crises which beset his first 50 years. This included his war service, family traumas and the deaths of those close to him. Modernist ideas and approaches helped Gillies find a path through these extremes of human experience.

There is a special place in twentieth century Modernism for William Gillies, and this exhibition hopefully inspires you to discover more of his unique story for yourself.

William Gillies: Modernism and Nation is also at the RSA in Edinburgh until 28 January 2024, and will then tour to Rozelle House, Ayr; Hawick Museum; The Pier Arts Centre, Orkney; Perth Art Gallery; Taigh Chearsabhagh, North Uist; Inverness Art Gallery; Kirkcudbright Galleries and Gracefield Arts Centre from March 2024 until the end of 2025.