I’m delighted to have two of my etchings included in Chaos and Control: Printmaking in Scotland Now, currently showing at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh (until 26 June 2026).
The exhibition brings together the work of many of Scotland’s leading contemporary printmakers, celebrating the incredible breadth and diversity of printmaking being produced across the country today. Curated by acclaimed printmaker Ade Adesina RSA and RSA Head of Programme Flora La Thangue, the exhibition explores both the traditional craftsmanship and the innovative approaches that continue to make printmaking such an exciting medium.
For me, printmaking has always been a vital part of my artistic practice. Although many people know me primarily as a painter, I have spent many years exploring traditional intaglio techniques, producing etchings that are every bit as carefully considered and time-intensive as my paintings. It’s a highly technical, process driven artform and I love the fact that, while it still allows me to be creative in the same ways being a painter does, the day to day job of printmaking feels and is completely different to working on canvas or with paint.
The two works selected for the exhibition are inspired by Dunnottar Castle’s dramatic clifftop position and are viewed from two different angles. The etchings were produced using traditional copper plate methods. Hard-ground line establishes the structure, followed by successive layers of aquatint to build tone and atmosphere. The plates were repeatedly bitten, adjusted and, in some areas, worked back through scraping and burnishing to recover light. The final images emerge through this process of construction, erosion and recovery, reflecting the same forces of weathering and resistance seen in the landscape itself.
It was a real pleasure to attend the opening evening, to meet up with some old friends and to see such an inspiring collection of work brought together under one roof. The exhibition showcases established names alongside emerging artists and demonstrates just how vibrant Scotland’s printmaking community continues to be.
If you’re in Edinburgh before 26 July, I’d highly recommend paying it a visit. Admission is free, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to experience the richness and variety of contemporary Scottish printmaking.
