Delighted to hear today that my painting ‘Drift’, (submitted on behalf of the Mull Highland Games) has won the inaugural ‘Highland Art Prize’ held at the Royal National Mod in Perth this year and exhibited at the City Contemporary Art Gallery. The prize kindly received on my behalf by artist neighbour Angus Stewart, is part of a series of works based on the ‘Right to Roam’ legislation which has transformed responsible access in Scotland to the landscape around us. Sadly, to date, this remarkable policy initiative has found no traction in legislation in Northern Ireland, Wales or England.
From the website of the Hghland Art Prize.
The winning artwork was selected by Islay artist and BBC presenter Heather Dewar, and the prize was presented by Alex Ogilvie of the Highland Society of London at a well-attended prize-giving at the City Contemporary Art gallery in Perth today (Friday 21st October).
Heather Dewar the Describing her choice of winner, Heather explained: “There is enough in this painting to get lost in, to see new things each time one looks at it, so it more than passes the long-term test of still being fascinating years from now. I like the diversity of the marks, the contrast of light and dark, the subtle use of colour but most especially the slightly threatening feel to the whole work.”