The Scottish Drawing Exhibition @ the Royal Scottish Academy

After an exhausting day it’s always pleasant to unwind and totter around a nearby exhibition. The Scottish Drawing Exhibition at the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh is definitely perfect for spending time doing some light observing. It’s a shame you can’t photograph the amazing work because I wish I could share it however I will do my best at explaining which pieces stood out to me and why.

Point and Click game 'Machinarium' by 

                Admiring the vast array of work whilst I strolled from room to room, a lot of pieces caught my eye. One piece in particular was a piece called ‘Drawings for Sculpture 1989 – 92’ by the artist Doug Cocker. The collection of images a plan for a sculpture he is/was working on. The grungy, tinny, rustiness of each one was something I admired. They reminded me of a game created by Amanita Design, everything from the colour palette to the concept, are extremely similar. After researching more on Doug Cocker, I learnt that he is in fact a successful sculptor. Looking at his 3D work, I am in love with his Grotesque Head. It is interesting to see his obvious relationship with industrial design relating so between beautiful illustrations to ginormous rustic sculptures.

                

Basin Summer Rain - Ian McKenzie Smith
(Similar to work exhibited)

      In contrast to this, there was a piece that grabbed my attention for all the wrong reasons. I love that in the world of Art and Design there is no right or wrong answer in terms of a concluded piece of work. Yet a piece by artist Ian McKenzie Smith called ‘Chanonry Lodge 1957’ bewildered me slightly. To me, it prompted thoughts of spare paper I use to wipe my brushes on after washing them. I respect that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and I appreciate anyone who created work because there is always an explanation behind it. My personal opinion has always been the same in terms of contemporary art however sometimes I do find myself contradicting myself. Let’s just say this piece definitely challenged my thought process!

As a whole, my experience whilst walking round the exhibition was a pleasant and educational one. If I could write about them all I would as there were some fantastic pieces that inspired me. One thing I learnt is that art is extremely variable, as stated before there is no right and wrong, the beauty of it is finding the confidence to make it your own.