One of the artists receiving particular attention is Steven Campbell (1953-2007), a painter associated with the New Glasgow Boys, who is best remembered for his dream-like figurative paintings of monumental scale.
He was among a group of painters in the 1980s who created heroic images of working-class Scotland and helped to revitalise Glasgow’s cultural scene.
A 1987 exhibition at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art called The Vigorous Imagination: New Scottish Art showcased 17 young artists who were coming to international prominence working in the new figurative style.
Now, on the 30th anniversary of that show, Roger Billcliffe Gallery in Glasgow will run a show, opening on October 27, of recent art by those artists. It includes Ken Currie, June Redfern, Calum Colvin and Adrian Wiszniewski.
The Fine Art Society in Edinburgh’s concurrent show (October 26-November 18) includes new and old works by the artists involved, such as pieces by Campbell and Ian Hughes, both of whom are now deceased.
The two shows, titled together The Vigorous Imagination 30 year on: then & now have been organised in collaboration with one of the curators on the original show. At FAS in Edinburgh, which features a c.1987 work and one recent piece from each of the living artists, prices range from £1200-40,000 and some works are included on loan.
Meanwhile, in London, Marlborough Fine Art will hold a Campbell retrospective, marking the 10th anniversary of his death. The gallery represents the artist’s estate and offers works he made from 1983-2007.
Campbell started a career in the steelworks and engineering industry before enrolling in the Glasgow School of Art. In 1982 he moved to New York where he received high critical acclaim. In 1987, however, he returned to Glasgow. His works incorporate fantasy visions, surrealist images and take subjects from cinema and memory.
