Category: Current

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Beauty in Plainness – William Scott in Somerset

15 November 2025–7 February 2026
Ochre Still Life, 1958. Tate, Purchased 1962.

Discover the work of one of Britain’s most influential 20th-century artists in this special exhibition from the Tate collection.

As part of the Trust’s Spotlight Loan programme, three major paintings by internationally celebrated artist William Scott CBE RA (1913-1989) will be on display at The Museum of Somerset.

Scott was a pioneering abstract painter, best known for his distinctive still life and landscape compositions. After settling in Somerset in the 1940s, he taught at the Bath Academy of Art for ten years and became a key figure in the post-war British art scene. In the 1950s, Scott developed a close friendship with American artist Mark Rothko, who visited and stayed with him in Somerset in 1959.

This exhibition features three large-scale works from this pivotal period in Scott’s career, offering a rare chance to experience his bold, expressive art up close. An animated film further explores the artist’s vision and life in Somerset. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the work of a true British art icon. 

OPENING TIMES:

Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00am-5:00pm

The Museum of Somerset

Taunton Castle
Castle Green
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 4AA

Tel: 01823 255088

E-mail: museumofsomerset@swheritage.org.uk

Beauty in Plainness
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William Scott CBE RA (1913-1989)

Themes and Variations: Works from the Artist’s Estate

10 – 29 November 2025

Dates for the Diary

Preview: Saturday 8 November, 10am to 6pm

In Conversation: Saturday 15 November, 2pm, Dr Chris Stephens, Robert Scott, James Rawlin and Jenna Burlingham

(please RSVP to info@jennaburlingham.com)

Exhibition held in association with Jenna Burlingham and J & J Rawlin.

OPENING TIMES

Monday-Saturday: 10am-6pm

Jenna Burlingham Gallery

10-12 George Street
Kingsclere
Hampshire 
RG20 5NQ

Tel: 01635 298855

Email: info@jennaburlingham.com

https://www.jennaburlingham.com

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St Ives and Elsewhere


5 March – 6 June 2025
William Scott, Orange and Blue, 1957

Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, Sasza Blonder, Sandra Blow, Terry Frost, Doreen Heaton-Potworowska, Barbara Hepworth, Patrick Heron, Roger Hilton, Ivon Hitchens, Katarzyna Kobro, Peter Lanyon, Bob Law, Leopold Lewicki, Adam Marczyński, Margaret Mellis, Ben Nicholson, Victor Pasmore, Piotr Potworowski, William Scott, Władysław Strzemiński, Alfred Wallis, John Wells, Bryan Wynter, Keith Vaughan

The exhibition presents works by British artists associated with the milieu of St Ives, a small port town located in the westernmost part of the Cornish Peninsula in Great Britain. This milieu, bringing together artists such as Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, Sandra Blow, Terry Frost, Patrick Heron, Roger Hilton, Peter Lanyon, Margaret Mellis, William Scott, and Bryan Wynter, did not constitute a formal group whose activity would be defined by a uniform programme. It was here that a specific painting and sculpture idiom was developed, derived from the abstract structures of Barbara Hepworth and Ben Nicholson’s works, an idiom in which the choice of formal solutions is more or less closely correlated with the saturation and course of the experience of the landscape.

Continue reading “St Ives and Elsewhere”
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Spotlight On 4: Modern and Contemporary Art from the Collection of Chippenham Museum

2 November 2024 – 8 March 2025

This exhibition is the fourth in Chippenham Museum’s Spotlight series dedicated to its growing Modern and Contemporary Art Collection.

The project began in 2019 with the desire to celebrate the rich artistic history of this part of North Wiltshire. As a permanent collection, it acts as a source of inspiration, education and enjoyment for all.

At the heart of the Modern and Contemporary Art Collection are works that acknowledge the legacy of the Bath Academy of Art in Corsham, a pioneering residential art school that counted some of the biggest names in modern and contemporary art amongst its teachers and students.

North Wiltshire’s creativity proudly extends beyond the Academy, and the collection records and celebrates the many contemporary artists who continue to live and work in this area today.

The exhibition featured work by the following artists:
Kay Le Seelleur Ara, Kenneth Armitage, Guy Bigland, Alma Boyes, Susie Brooks, John Chilver, Dominic Clare, Andrew Cross, William Crozier, Anna Currey, Simone Dawood, Stephen Ellis, Alex Faulkner, Selina Fischer, Astrid Furnival, John Furnival, Katherine Gili, Patrick Haines, Keith Harrison, Verity James, Richard Kennedy, David King, Julia Manning, Michael Stubbs, Marianne Fox-Ockinga, Ione Parkin, Tim Parry-Williams, Michael Pennie, Jackie Pope, Terry Pope, Paul Rudall, James Scott, Robert Scott, William Scott, Jack Shirreff, Alice Sielle, Hugh Hamshaw Thomas, Julia Vezza, Helen Wilks, and Alistair Young.

Further details about the artworks can also be found in the accompanying catalogue available in the museum shop.

OPENING TIMES:

Monday – Saturday: 10.00am – 4.00pm

ADMISSION

Free entry

CHIPPENHAM MUSEUM

The Old Palace
9-10 Market Place
Chippenham
Wiltshire
SN15 3HF

Tel: +44 (0)1249 705020

E-mail: heritage@chippenham.gov.uk

Chippenham Museum : Exhibitions
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Fermanagh artist honoured at Enniskillen Castle

By Mark McGoldrick

Fermanagh Herald

Enniskillen Castle, 27th September 2024: The launch of William Scott (1913-1989): From Life to Art exhibition at Enniskillen Castle was attended by William Scott’s son Robert and grandchildren Alex and Rosie.
Photo: Ronan McGrade

Fermanagh art enthusiasts are feeling “truly privileged” after a special exhibition has been set up at Enniskillen Castle which is aiming to celebrate the life and achievements of a local artist.

Well-known artist William Scott spent his early life in Enniskillen where he formed a close relationship with respected art teacher Kathleen Bridle, who played a key role in his career in art.

A special exhibition titled ‘From Life to Art’ has been established at Enniskillen Castle to celebrate 100 years since William Scott’s father moved to and set up home in Fermanagh.

To read the article in full, please click here . 

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Exhibition at Enniskillen Castle celebrates William Scott

Museum Manager, Sarah McHugh, with members of the Scott family Photo: Fermanagh and Omagh District Council

By Sandhya Suresh

The Impartial Reporter

An archive and exhibition has opened at Enniskillen Castle to celebrate the legacy of artist William Scott.

The exhibition, William Scott (1913-1989): ‘From Life to Art’, offers a deep dive into the influential artist’s life and work, with a particular focus on his ties to Enniskillen.

Scott, who was born in the town, received his first art lessons there and retained a lifelong connection to the area.

The launch of the exhibition on September 27 also marks the 100th anniversary of Scott’s move to Enniskillen as an 11-year-old.

To read the article in full, please click here .

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William Scott Archive and Exhibition Opens at Enniskillen Castle Celebrating a legacy of Art and Inspiration

Enniskillen Castle, 27th September 2024: The launch of William Scott (1913-1989): From Life to Art exhibition at Enniskillen Castle was attended by William Scott’s son Robert and grandchildren Alex and Rosie. Photo: Ronan McGrade

The highly anticipated archive and exhibition William Scott (1913-1989): From Life to Art opened at Enniskillen Castle, on Friday 27 September. The archive and exhibition pays tribute to the life and work of one of the most influential artists of this generation, focusing on his connections to Enniskillen – his birthplace – and the relationships, traditions and subjects that would stay with him throughout his life and his career. Scott spent formative years in Enniskillen, receiving his first art lessons from local artist and teacher Kathleen Bridle (1897-1989). Continue reading “William Scott Archive and Exhibition Opens at Enniskillen Castle Celebrating a legacy of Art and Inspiration”

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The Shape of Things: Still Life in Britain

 

The Pallant House Gallery will hold the first major exhibition to explore British still life.

The Shape of Things questions the idea that still life is a lesser genre, showing how important it is to artists and society. Featuring a ‘Who’s Who’ of Modern and Contemporary British artists, the exhibition digs into still life’s rich symbolism and how it’s pushed boundaries and new ideas.

Continue reading “The Shape of Things: Still Life in Britain”

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William Scott in Northern Ireland: an austere world and the things of life

Farmhouse, Augher, County Tyrone, 1931

The year 2024 marks the 100th anniversary of William Scott’s arrival in Northern Ireland, the birthplace of the relationships, practices and subjects which would stay with him throughout his storied career.

To mark this anniversary, Claire Dalton has written an article for Art UK.

You can read the article here .