July 16th 2024.
An exciting exhibition of rarely seen works by two of Scotland's most beloved artists is set to open this week in Glasgow. The exhibition, titled "Two Glasgow Polymaths", will run from July 15th to July 26th at Lyon & Turnbull's city center gallery. The featured artists are John Byrne and Alasdair Gray, both of whom studied at the prestigious Glasgow School of Art. Not only were they talented visual artists, but they were also prolific writers.
Sadly, both men have passed away in recent years. Byrne, who was born in Paisley, died in December 2019 at the age of 83. Gray, who lived in Glasgow his entire life, passed away at the age of 85 in December 2019. Despite their passing, their legacies continue to live on through their incredible works of art.
Charlotte Riordan, head of contemporary art at Lyon & Turnbull, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to showcase these two artists' works. She also acknowledged the significant impact they have had on Scottish culture. "The significance of Gray and Byrne's impact on Scottish culture cannot be overstated," she said. "This exhibition aims to honor their legacies and celebrate their achievements."
The exhibition will feature rare and unseen treasures, some of which will be sold at an online auction in Edinburgh next month. Other works have been generously loaned to the auction house by private collectors. One of the highlights of the show is a rare painting of The Beatles, created by Byrne in 1969. This painting was later used as the cover image for The Beatles' Ballads LP, making it a highly sought-after piece.
Another fascinating piece is a study for a project with Scottish music legend, Donovan. Byrne collaborated with the Maryhill-born singer in the early 1970s, working on an album cover and an animated film together. Unfortunately, the project never came to fruition, but the paintings and drawings from this collaboration are now on display at the exhibition.
These artworks were part of a personal collection belonging to Father Tom Jamieson, a parish priest in Renfrew. According to Father Jamieson's niece, he and Byrne would often meet in the artist's garden shed to discuss "matters of great importance". This led to Father Jamieson developing an interest in collecting Byrne's paintings, which he was very proud of. His niece recalls how these paintings gave her a glimpse into Byrne's incredible world and his unique sense of humor.
In addition to Byrne's works, the exhibition also includes pieces by Alasdair Gray. One of the featured works is "Film sequence with Liz Lochhead", a series of artworks created to illustrate the poetry of his friend, Liz Lochhead. This collaboration was later filmed by BBC producer Malcolm Hossick. There are also several drawings and paintings of Gray's family and friends, including a tender ink drawing of his first wife and their son.
The exhibition is made possible with the support of the Alasdair Gray Archive, which has loaned its new Travelling Archive resource. This will be displayed alongside Gray's seminal works, some of which have never been exhibited before. Sorcha Dallas, custodian of The Alasdair Gray Archive, expressed her appreciation for the efforts put into this project and the placement of Gray's works in important Scottish collections.
The exhibition will take place at Lyon & Turnbull's gallery on Bath Street in Glasgow and can be viewed by appointment only. It promises to be an unforgettable showcase of the talents and legacies of two exceptional Glasgow Polymaths. For more cultural stories, check out Scottish Field and subscribe to read the latest issue.
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