Jock McFadyen Goes to the Pictures

Booking for this exhibition is currently suspended, as the City Art Centre is closed, in line with advice from the Government, to protect the health of staff and visitors. Thank you for your support and we look forward to welcoming you back to the gallery soon.

14 November 2020 to 11 April 2021

Timed to mark his 70th birthday, this major exhibition by contemporary artist Jock McFadyen displays new and existing paintings, paired alongside works from the City Art Centre’s collection of historic and contemporary Scottish art. Over the last year McFadyen has regularly visited the picture stores to select works for the show. His choices range from ‘old favourites’ by renowned Scottish artists such as Alan Davie and F.C.B. Cadell, to ones that have rarely been seen by the public. 

Through a series of fascinating pairings, the exhibition encourages viewers to take a closer look. Works that might initially seem unrelated reveal unexpected connections and relationships. Some of these juxtapositions are witty; some are striking or surprising. By showcasing these artworks side by side, the exhibition aims to highlight common visual threads that connect all pictures, mixing up the traditional boundaries of period, style and artistic posture. It places the collection and McFadyen’s work in a fresh and exciting context.