Cordelia Oliver and Scottish Art Criticism: Dr Susannah Thompson (Edinburgh College of Art) looks at the relationship between the production of mid-twentieth century painting and sculpture by women in Scotland and the art criticism that responded to it, focusing specifically on the role played by the Scottish artist, critic and curator Cordelia Oliver (1923-2009), a painter and graduate of Glasgow School of Art. 12.45-1.30pm, Monday 25th April, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed.
Leon Morrocco: Selected Works. The grandson of Italian immigrants to Scotland, Leon’s practice has been consistently inspired by travel and capturing moments in time. This selection of works features vibrant Mediterranean culture in everyday beach scenes and domestic al fresco life, inspiring an uplifting appreciation of surroundings. Leon works intuitively with his medium and has built colour palettes which capture the essence of place, from his back yard in London to the bustling marketplaces of Morocco. Opens Monday 25th April, then 10am-6pm Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm Saturdays, Open Eye Gallery, Abercromby Place. Ends 11th May 2016. Image: Amongst the Washing, Panarea © Leon Morrocco.
Surface: An Exhibition of Water Paintings. Artist David Cass’s paintings explore the concept of surface; created using non-traditional methods and painted on unconventional surfaces, these repetitive artworks are unified by their exclusive depiction of water. Cass has travelled the Atlantic from Cádiz, the Adriatic from Dalmatia and the Mediterranean from Liguria;
his works also include abstracted visions of the English Channel – the strip of water the artist must cross to reach France, Belgium, Spain and Italy – where he sources the materials and supports upon which he works. Surface is a fundraising exhibition – all profits go towards the creation of an exhibition the artist plans to hold in Florence in November. 11am-7pm daily Monday 25th April – Tuesday 3rd May. There will also be a meet the artist session 2-5pm Saturday 30th April, Gayfield Creative Spaces, 11 Gayfield Square. Image: Mor Breizh 1 (2016) © David Cass.
A Lesser Known Glasgow Girl: The Case of Maggie Hamilton. Maggie Hamilton (1867-1952) was an embroiderer and painter of flowers and still lifes; sister of Glasgow Boys painter James Whitelaw Hamilton and wife of the architect AN Paterson (the younger brother of Glasgow Boy James Paterson), she is little known as an artist in her own right, eclipsed by her brother, husband and brother-in-law. In this talk, Dr Joanna Meacock (Curator British Art, Glasgow Museums) sets out to redress the balance. Tuesday 25th April, Hawthornden Lecture Theatre, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free and unticketed. Image: Maggie Hamilton, 1892-93 James Guthrie. Gifted to Glasgow Museums by Mrs Maggie Hamilton Paterson, 1951. © CSG CIC Glasgow Museums Collection.
Charlie Clift: Brits Abroad. Over 5 million British citizens live outside the UK, with over 2.000 people moving abroad every week. British photographer Charlie Clift chose not to focus on immigrants coming into the UK, but to look the other way and focus on British people living abroad. 
He photographed emigrants near the Mediterranean coast of Spain where there is a large British population. His portraits show these migrants in locations that are key to their life in Spain. Most notable is the diversity within the people shown: some cannot speak Spanish and have hardly integrated with the locals, whilst others have married Spanish people and educated their children in local schools. It is nearly impossible to fit them into a homogenous stereotype. The photographer hopes that this project will encourage people to think twice about immigrants within their own communities as well as British people living abroad. Open preview 6-8pm, Friday 29th April, then 10am-4pm Monday-Friday, 12 noon-4pm Saturdays, Interview Room 11, Ocean Terminal Level 1, Ocean Drive. Ends 21st May 2016. Image: Captura de pantalla © Charlie Clift.
Lina Lienau: Journey to the Ancestors. An exhibition by art therapist Lina Lienau, Journey to the Ancestors shows some exclusive textiles, kaftans and shawls from India interwoven with Lina’s paintings of ancient symbols. 10am-6pm, 29th April-10th May (opening reception 1-4pm Sunday 1st May), Gayfield Creative Spaces, 11 Gayfield Square.
The Friday Night Mixer: Modern Scottish Women. An evening of short ‘taster’ talks and discussions exploring some of the themes in the Modern Scottish Women exhibition. Speakers include Glasgow-based contemporary artist Kate Davis, who will be screening her 2014 film Weight, poet Rachel McCrum performing new work, photographer Wendy McMurdo discussing her current project in response to the archive of Austrian photographer Edith Tudor Hart, and playwright Anna Carlisle and actor Alexandra Mathie speaking about developing a new play on the life of Joan Eardley. The event will be hosted by Alice Strang, Senior Curator, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. Pay-bar for drinks and snacks. 6.30-8pm, Friday 29th April, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Tickets £5/£4 from eventbrite here (transaction fees apply).
Drop-in Sessions Inspired by the Works of Wilhelmina Barns-Graham: led by printmaker Sarah Gittins, learn about some printmaking techniques and try simple experiments to help in your understanding of the process. 2-4.30pm, Saturday 30th April, Scottish Gallery of Modern Art TWO, Belford Road. Free, no booking required. Also at same times on Sunday 1st May. Supported by The Wilhelmina Barns-Graham Charitable Trust. Image: Summer (Yellow), Wilhelmina Barns-Graham, 1999 − © The Barns-Graham Charitable Trust.
Vibrations and Patterns: Inspired by Bridget Riley. Join artists Kate Temple and Fraser Gray to explore the dazzling art of Bridget Riley, with practical activities and visual illusions aplenty. 2-4pm (drop-in), Saturday 30th April and Sunday 1st May, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE, Belford Road. Free, no booking necessary. Image: Bridget Riley, Burn, 1964 © Bridget Riley 2015.
British Art Shows: free discussion-led tours of the British Art Show. Focus and content will change weekly. 2-2.30pm Saturday 30th April, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ONE (meet at the main entrance), Belford Road. No booking required. Image: Rachel Maclean Feed Me 2015 − courtesy of the artist and Film and Video Umbrella, © Rachel Maclean, 2015.
Masters of Light: 2015 Glass Biennale Winners and Photography. Works in glass by Nicholas Collins, Ashraf Hanna, Harry Morgan and Elliot Walker, and cyanotypes by Alexander Hamilton. 10.30am-5.30pm, (opens) Saturday 30th April then at same times Tuesday-Saturday, Gallery Ten, 10 Stafford Street. Closes 28th May 2016.
National Gallery Highlight Tours: an introduction to and tour of the National Gallery’s permanent collection, focusing on key paintings. 2-2.45pm or 3-3.45pm, Saturday 30th April, Scottish National Gallery (meet in the main entrance), The Mound. Free and unticketed. Image: Venetian Women at their Toilet Paris Bourdon-1545.
ArtSpark Exhibition: ArtSparks is an art club for children from primary school right through till S5; it meets every Friday afternoon and produces some lovely work under the guidance of Alison Tait. Come and see what the youngsters are up to, enjoy a light refreshment and get to speak to the artists. Opening 2-4pm, Sunday 1st May, then 10am-4pm Monday to Saturday, Gallery Café , Penicuik Community Arts, 4 West Street, Penicuik. Ends 4th June 2016.
Art Maker – May: join the Art Maker Club and make your own masterpieces with artists Tessa Asquith-Lamb and Louise Fraser. For ages 4-12. 2-4pm (drop-in), Sunday 1st May, Scottish National Gallery, The Mound. Free, no booking necessary: supported by the Friends of the National Galleries of Scotland. Image: Andy McGregor.
