James Lumsden
My work is primarily concerned with process - building translucent glazes of paint until an illusion of light and depth are achieved. The process involves the application of multiple (up to 40 or more) thin glazes of acrylic paint and gloss medium. Each layer is dragged, pulled or manipulated with various implements - the process being repeated layer upon layer until the final painting begins to emerge. Arrived at by both chance and deliberation, the final painting reveals varying chromatic strata, which can be seen through the translucence and depth of the work.. I aim to make paintings which are luminous, seductive, sensual and atmospheric. I am fascinated in how the raw materials innate to the medium can be turned into something poetic - an object filled with light, feeling, atmosphere and emotion.
Selected Solo Exhibitions (since 2000)
2024 - Linlithgow Burgh Halls
2024 - Inverness Museum and Art Gallery (with Eric Cruikshank)
2023 - & Gallery, Edinburgh
2023 - Holly Johnson Gallery, Dallas, Texas, USA
2022 - An Lanntair, Stornoway
2021 - & Gallery, Edinburgh
2021 - An Talla Solais, Ullapool
2021 - WASPS The Briggait, Glasgow
2019 - & Gallery, Edinburgh
2018 - Holly Johnson Gallery, Dallas, USA
2018 - Paul Kuhn Gallery, Calgary, Canada
2017 - Sarah Myerscough Gallery, London
2017 - & Gallery, Edinburgh
2016 - MS Galerie, Morges, Switzerland
2015 - Sarah Myerscough Gallery, London
2015 - Paul Kuhn Gallery, Calgary, Canada
2013 - Sarah Myerscough Gallery, London
2013 - Edinburgh Art Festival / Scottish Arts Club, Edinburgh
2013 - & Collective, Bridge of Allan.
2012 - Paul Kuhn Gallery, Calgary, Canada
2011 - Sarah Myerscough Fine Art, London
2011 - An Talla Solais, Ullapool
2010 - Paul Kuhn Gallery, Calgary, Canada
2009 - Sarah Myerscough Fine Art, London
2007 - Amber Roome Contemporary Art, Edinburgh
2006 - Atticsalt, Edinburgh
2006 - MAC, Birmingham
2005 - Sarah Myerscough Fine Art, London
2005 - An Tuireann Arts Centre, Isle of Skye.
2004 - Sarah Myerscough Fine Art, London
2003 - Oriel Capsule, Cardiff (with Eoghann MacColl)
2002 - Sarah Myerscough Fine Art, London
2001 - Triskel Arts Centre, Cork
2000 - Aalborg Trienalle, Aalborg, Denmark
2000 - The Loft Gallery, Glasgow
Selected Group Exhibitions (since 2000)
2015 - 'the seed of its opposite', Curated by Jai Llewellyn, Glasgow Kelvin College. 'Summershow', Paul Kuhn Gallery, Calgary, Canada
2014 - Re-Define, Dallas Contemporary, Dallas, USA. Art Paris, Grand Palais, Paris, France. London Art Fair, London
2013 - RSA Open, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh. Paper Planes (curated by Andrew Mackenzie), Stow Arts Festival. Art Paris, Grand Palais, Paris. Society of Scottish Artists Annual
2012 - Black and White, Sarah Myerscough Fine Art, London
2011 - Perception, The Dovecot, Edinburgh
2010 - Abstract Matters, Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh. Affordable Art Fair, New York. RSA New Works, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh
2009 - Strata, Patriothall Gallery, Edinburgh. Strata, Sarah Myerscough Fine Art, London
2008 - Shared Ground, Harbour Arts Centre, Irvine. Toronto International Art Fair, Toronto, Canada.
2007 - Equinox, Sarah Myerscough Fine Art, London.
Residencies
2010 - RSA Residency, An Talla Solais, Ullapool
2007 - Returning Fellowship, Ballinglen Arts Foundation, County Mayo, Ireland
2003 - Fellowship, Ballinglen Arts Foundation, County Mayo, Ireland
2000 - Artist in residence, Aalborg Trienalle, Aalborg, Denmark.
Competitions, Prizes and Awards
2010 - RSA Residencies for Scotland Award, Royal Scottish Academy
2009 - Visual Arts Award, City of Edinburgh Council
2008 - Creative Development Award, Scottish Arts Council
2004 - Hope Scott Trust Award
2003 - EVAAC Award, City of Edinburgh Council. Professional Development Award, Scottish Arts Council
2002 - Professional Development Award, Scottish Arts Council
2001 - British Council Grant
2000 - EVAAC Award, City of Edinburgh Council. The Arts Trust of Scotland Award.
