An Edinburgh art gallery has announced details of a second solo exhibition of work from Gordon Wilson, a much-loved and widely collected Scottish artist.
Under a Moonlit Sky opens in Morningside Gallery on Saturday 11th October, and includes 40 new paintings, bringing together Gordon’s most iconic subjects. His poppies, boats, beloved ‘biddies’ and Belted Galloway cattle are all there, as well as instantly-recognisable landmarks like Ailsa Craig, Bass Rock and Ben Lomond.
Gordon’s fascination with the Scottish landscape and its ever-changing weather shines through in scenes that look back through wildflowers to tranquil cottages with fresh washing hung to dry and warm fires glowing in the hearth – his own vision of heaven on earth. Most of his landscapes are set against the stunning sunsets and perfect moonlit skies which were so prevalent over the summer months.
These are deeply personal paintings which often reflect the artist’s inner world. His ‘wee biddie’ figures, for example, are tender representations of the grandmother he never met, appearing throughout his work as a beloved character sent on many imagined adventures.
After graduating from Glasgow School of Art, Wilson began his career as a designer and picture framer. Over time, demand for his paintings grew, and he is now a full-time professional artist. The only frames he works on these days are his own – each finished with his trademark creativity and flair. His distinctive, bold style, dry wit and imaginative storytelling have earned him a loyal following of private and corporate collectors worldwide.
Gordon Wilson said: “Many of my characters, including ‘Glen Garry’, ‘Wee Gee’, and ‘Breton Boy’ emerge entirely from my imagination. I often sketch in the quiet hours of the night and these characters evolve on the canvas as I paint, their expressions and moods shaping the narrative of each work.”
Eileadh Swan, director of Morningside Gallery said: “Whether casting his biddies adrift on a stumpy little puffer boat or capturing the quiet beauty of a Scottish landscape, Gordon’s work transports us to a world of imagination and memory. In these paintings, with their wildflowers, cottages, and glimmering horizons, there is always a sense of something timeless. Often set under an ever-present moonlit sky, we watch as stories unfold and characters come to life.”
Based at Church Hill in Morningside, the gallery will display 40 new paintings for the exhibition, which can also be viewed online and toured as a virtual exhibition for anyone who can’t make it to Edinburgh.
The exhibition will run in the gallery from Saturday 11 – 26 October, and is open to the public, with a Private View on Friday 10 October. For more details of the exhibition or Private View, contact the gallery via morningsidegallery.co.uk
