Carolyn Burchell
Explorations of my home city of Edinburgh and travels within Europe have always influenced me. In the 1990s and early 2000s visits to Scottish islands led to a simplification of forms and dream-like atmosphere. In recent years visits to Norway, Eastern Europe and within Scotland have provided me with different focus upon woodland, parks, gardens, architecture and urban areas. Surrealist and Romantic landscape painting also plays a part in informing my work, as does literature. I am interested in the therapeutic aspect of painting and drawing; in landscape as both exterior and interior space, acting as a vehicle for emotion, memory and personal significance.
In 2010 I completed a research project at Glasgow School of Art, examining forest landscape in selected artists' work, which contributed to a dialogue between modern and contemporary artists employing metaphor and symbolism through a variety of creative processes and methods of representation.
Intensive periods of drawing in sketchbooks has helped to produce a stronger sense of movement in my paintings in acrylic, watercolour and gouache. This has heightened my awareness of the private and subtle nature of features in the landscape and what they represent to me. My work often hints at a human presence.
Work in Collections: BBC Scotland, Glasgow; Queen's Hall, Edinburgh; Astley Ainsley Hospital, Edinburgh; Art in Healthcare, Scotland; NHS Lothian; University of Edinburgh; Edinburgh College of Art; various in private collections.
Qualifications and training
2010 - Master of Research in Creative Practices, with Merit, Glasgow School of Art
1984 - Postgraduate Diploma in Painting, Edinburgh College of Art
1983 - First Class BA hons in Drawing and Painting, Edinburgh College of Art
Employment
Current: Adult Education Tutor in Drawing and Painting, City of Edinburgh Council; Sessional Art Tutor for Holyrood Art Club, Edinburgh
Past: Art Group Tutor, Prestonfield Neighbourhood Project (2016-2020); Sessional Art Tutor with Crisis Sklylight, Edinburgh (2013-2014); Tutor in Drawing and Painting to socially inclusive group of adults, St. Bride's Centre, Edinburgh (1998-2009); Tutor in Painting, Workers' Educational Association, Edinburgh (1997-2004); Adult Education Tutor in Drawing and Painting, City of Edinburgh Council (1987-1999)
Solo and two person exhibitions
2022 - In Nature, Kirkcudbright Tolbooth and Art Centre, Dumfries and Galloway
2019 - Gardens in the City, Thomson's Tower, Dr Neil's Garden, Duddingston, Edinburgh
2017 - Quiet Spaces, Thomson's Tower, Dr. Neil's Garden, Duddingston, Edinburgh
2015 - Parks and Spires, McNaughtan's Bookshop and Gallery, Edinburgh
2012 - Spirit of Place, House for an Art Lover, Bellahouston Park, Glasgow
2008 - Where Shall We Go? Two person show, The Old Bakehouse Cafe & Gallery, Edinburgh
2007 - 'From Loch to Sea', part of Eclectic Edinburgh Festival Exhibition, C Venue, Adam House, Edinburgh
2005 - Moorland to Sea, Howard Bar, Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh
2003 - Paintings of Sea and Coast - Two Person Show, St Bride's Centre, Edinburgh
2001 - Shorelines, Recent Scottish Paintings, St Bride's Centre, Edinburgh
1999 - Casting Shadows, Paintings of Catalonia and Cornwall, Stenton Gallery, East Lothian
1997 - Paintings of Edinburgh, Cornwall and France, Queen's Hall, Edinburgh
1997 - Under Spanish Skies, Two person show, Netherbow Arts Centre, Edinburgh
1994 - Recent Paintings, Filmhouse, Edinburgh
1991 - Arcadia Restored - New Works on Paper, Gracefield Arts Centre, Dumfries
1985 - Exhibition of Recent Paintings, Edinburgh University Staff Club
1984 - Two Person Show of Paintings, Ancrum Gallery, by Jedburgh, Borders
Selected Group exhibitions
2023 - Macmillan Art Show, St. John's Church, Edinburgh
2022 - Macmillan Art Show, Tattoo Office, Edinburgh and online
2021 - RSW annual exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
Macmillan Art Show, Edinburgh online
Screen Test, WASPS Studios virtual exhibition
2019 - Twitter Art Exhibition for Art in Healthcare, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Edinburgh
Sa-lon Suckers, Embassy Gallery, Edinburgh
2018 - Art in Healthcare Exhibition, Arusha Gallery, Edinburgh
2016 - Salonathon, Embassy Gallery, Edinburgh
2015 - RSA Open, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
Salontology, Embassy Gallery, Edinburgh
2014 - Cabinet Show, Compass Gallery, Glasgow
Summer and Christmas Exhibitions, Number Four Gallery, St. Abbs
2013 - RSA Open, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
Postcards from..., The Gallery on the Corner, Edinburgh
Summer and Christmas Exhibitions, Number Four Gallery, St. Abbs
Visual Arts Scotland Annual Exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
2012 - On the first day of Christmas..., House for an Art Lover, Bellahouston Park, Glasgow
The Cabinet Show, Compass Gallery, Glasgow
Postcards from..., The Gallery on the Corner, Edinburgh
2011 - Postcards from..., Open Exhibition exploring themes surrounding mental health,
Gallery on the Corner, Edinburgh
Poste Restante, An Tobar Arts Centre, Tobermory, Isle of Mull
Total Kunst Art Auction, Axo Gallery, Edinburgh
2010 - RSA Open, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
Winter Exhibition, Compass Gallery, Glasgow
Visual Arts Scotland Annual Exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
2009 - Christmas Exhibition, Compass Gallery , Glasgow
Glasgow Art Fair, with Compass Gallery
Leith Festival Art Expo, Arts Complex, St. Margaret's House, Edinburgh
Visual Arts Scotland Annual Exhibition, City Art Centre, Edinburgh
2008 - On a Small Scale - Christmas Exhibition, Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh
2007 - 'Hidden Paths' - Part of a Mixed Exhibition, Broughton Gallery, Broughton, near Biggar
Moods of the Sea, Broughton Gallery, Broughton, near Biggar
Rite of Passage - Celebrating 21 Years of Artlink, Link Gallery, Royal Edinburgh Hospital
and St. John's Hospital, Livingston
Society of Scottish Artists Annual Exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
2006 - Diverse Quartet - Festival Exhibition, St. Bride's Centre, Edinburgh
2005 - Aberdour Arts Festival
Scapes, St. Bride's Centre - Festival Exhibition (Four Person Show), Edinburgh
2004 - A World of Difference, Festival of Spirituality and Peace, St. John's Church, Edinburgh
Three Women Painters, Just Scottish Gallery, Edinburgh
WASPS Studios Exhibition, Scottish Arts Club, Edinburgh
2003 - Art for Breast Cancer, Bonhams Auctioneers, Edinburgh
Moving Solutions, Society of Scottish Artists, Bonhoga Gallery, Weisdale Mill, Shetland
Winter Exhibition, Campden Gallery, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire
2002 - Triple, St Bride's Centre, Edinburgh
2001 - Aberdeen Artists Annual Exhibition
Art for Breast Cancer, Phillips Auctioneers, Edinburgh
2000 - Glasgow Art Fair, with Compass Gallery
1999 - Art '99, London Art Fair and Glasgow Art Fair, with Compass Gallery
Festival Exhibition 99, Patriothall Gallery, WASPS Studios, Edinburgh
Mixed shows, Stenton Gallery, East Lothian
Summer and Christmas Shows, Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh
1998 - Art '98, London Art Fair and Glasgow Art Fair
Cabinet Paintings, Compass Gallery
Christmas Exhibition, Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh
Mixed shows, Stenton Gallery, East Lothian
Scotland on Sunday/Noble Grossart Exhibition, Glasgow School of Art
and Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
Travellers' Tales, Stenton Gallery, East Lothian
1997 - A Patch of Their Own, Compass Gallery, Glasgow and touring Scotland
Art '97, London Art Fair and Glasgow Art Fair
Scotland on Sunday/Noble Grossart Exhibition, Glasgow School of Art
and Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
Society of Scottish Artists Annual Exhibition, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
1996 - Art '96, London Art Fair, with Compass Gallery
Regeneration - Collective Gallery collaboration, Eastern General Hospital, Edinburgh
Six Women Artists, Festival Exhibition, Firth Gallery, Edinburgh
Summer Exhibition, Roger Billcliffe Fine Art, Glasgow
1995 - Out of Edinburgh, Mainhill Gallery, Ancrum, Borders
Valentines, Roger Billcliffe Fine Art, Glasgow
1994 - Summer Exhibition, Roger Billcliffe Fine Art, Glasgow
1991 - Borders Biennial, touring Peebles, Galashiels and Dumfries, South of Scotland
1991 - present - annual Christmas Show, Compass Gallery, Glasgow
1990 - Inverclyde Biennial, McLean Museum & Gallery, Greenock
Summer Exhibition, Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh
1989 - Borders Biennial, touring Peebles, Galashiels and Dumfries, South of Scotland
Society of Scottish Artists Annual Exhibition, Richard Demarco Gallery, Edinburgh
1987 - Women Live, City Art Centre, Edinburgh
1986 - Inverclyde Biennial, McLean Museum & Gallery, Greenock
1985 - Aberdeen Artists Annual Exhibition, Aberdeen Art Gallery, Aberdeen
Group Exhibitions, Ancrum Gallery, by Jedburgh, Borders
1984 - Edinburgh College of Art Cultural Exchange, Academie der Bildenden Kunst, Munich
Exhibition of work by Edinburgh College of Art Students, Helios Pictures, Birmingham
New Generation Artists, Compass Gallery, Glasgow
Paisley Drawing Competition, Paisley Museum and Art Gallery, Paisley
Workshops
Aug/Sept 2014 - Employed by Art in Healthcare to lead art workshops with Alzheimer Scotland, Edinburgh
Jan - Feb 2014 - Employed by Art in Healthcare to lead series of art workshops with residents at Dunedin Canmore Sheltered Housing, Edinburgh
Sept - October, 2013 - Employed by Art in Healthcare to lead series of art workshops with Alzheimer Scotland, Edinburgh
July - Sept, 2012 - Employed by East Lothian Council to facilitate local history mural project, Prestonpans Resource Centre, Prestonpans, East Lothian
May 2012 - 'Spirit of Place' Landscape Watercolour Masterclass, House for an Art Lover, Bellahouston Park, Glasgow
Competitions, prizes and awards
2009 - The Anne Redpath Award, Visual Arts Scotland, Edinburgh
1984 - John Kinross Travelling Scholarship to Florence, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
1983 - Andrew Grant Travelling Scholarship - Humanities Award, Edinburgh College of Art
1983 - Helen A Rose Bequest Award, Edinburgh College of Art
1982 - Andrew Grant Travelling Scholarship - Humanities Award, Edinburgh College of Art