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Robert has a longstanding interest in light / colour and our visual perception of it. This has been a preoccupation of his, during and since a post graduate year at Edinburgh College of Art / Edinburgh University. In recent years his focus has deviated from colour abstraction to investigating and recording the visual impact of light on natures limitless wealth of plant forms.

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​In this digital age, we are constantly bombarded with “throwaway” images with little time if any to analyse their content. The speed of Robert's process seems at odds with this as his paintings demand time from the spectator, so as to fully engage and appreciate their varying levels of visual complexity. You have to take time to get beyond preconceived notions of his imagery.   

​Robert studied drawing and painting at Edinburgh College of Art / Edinburgh University, Scotland. On graduating he was awarded a year of post graduate study at Edinburgh and an Andrew Grant Travelling Scholarship which he used to travel throughout Italy and France. On completion of his post graduate studies, he never ceased painting.

 

Exhibitions

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2025

144th RSW Annual Exhibition, RSA Gallery, Edinburgh

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​2024           

198th RSA Annual Exhibition, RSA Gallery, Edinburgh

 

2020/21      

Exploring Botany, Manggha Museum, Kraków, Poland   

 

2019            

Shirley Sherwood Modern Masterpieces of Botanical Art, Shirley Sherwood

Gallery, London

 

2018            

Out of the Woods/Out on a Limb, Foundry Art Centre, St Charles Missouri    

   

2017            

Abundance, seeds, pods and autumn fruits, Shirley Sherwood Gallery, London    

 

2016            

The Beauty of Botanicals, OA Gallery, Missouri

15th International Exhibition, Hunt Institute, Pittsburgh

 

2015            

Horticultural Society of New York 18th Annual Exhibition    

 

2014            

Agua Doce/Fresh Water Exhibition, Museo Centro Gaiás, Santiago de Compostela

Annual Exhibition “Botanical Garden” The Society of Botanical Artists, London

Horticultural Society of New York 17th Annual Exhibition

Strictly Botanical, The Park Gallery, Callendar House, Falkirk, Scotland    

 

2013        

Annual Exhibition, “Tha Language of Flowers” The Society of Botanical Artists, London    

 

2008            

The Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour, 128th Annual Exhibition

SSA, Annual Exhibition, RSA Gallery, Edinburgh

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2007            

A Celebration of Hospitalfield, Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh

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2005            

The Royal Scottish Academy, Open Exibition, RSA Gallery, Edinburgh

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2004            

RGI, 143rd Annual Exhibition, Roger Bilcliff Gallery, Glasgow

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1995            

Cyberia Internet Café, Edinburgh

Collective Gallery, Group Exhibition, Edinburgh

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1997            

Aberlady Gallery, Aberlady, East Lothian

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1996            

Collective Gallery, Group Exhibition, Edinburgh

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1994            

Collective Gallery Christmas Exhibition, Edinburgh

Aberdona Gallery, Group Exhibition, Coalsnaughton, Clackmannanshire

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1990            

W.A.S.P.S. Tillicultry Group Exhibition, W.A.S.P.S. Ltd. King Street Glasgow

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1989            

Society of Scottish Artists, Annual Exhibition, Demarco Gallery, Edinburgh

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1988            

Society of Scottish Artists, Annual Exhibition, RSA Gallery, Edinburgh

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1987            

Society of Scottish Artists, Annual Exhibition, RSA Gallery, Edinburgh

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1985            

Central Arts, Smith Art Gallery, Stirling

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1978            

Winsor and Newton Finalist Exhibition, Royal College of Art

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1977          

 Hospitalfield House, Arbroath, Edinburgh College of  Art/Edinburgh University

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1977            

RSA Student Exhibition, RSA Gallery, Edinburgh

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Solo Exhibitions

 

1985            

Collective Gallery, Solo Exhibition, Edinburgh

 

2009            

East Kilbride Arts Centre, South Lanarkshire

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Awards
 
1977            

Awarded Scholarship to Hospitalfield House, Arbroath, Edinburgh College of   Art/Edinburgh University
 
1978            

Awarded Andrew Grant Travelling Scholarship, Edinburgh College of Art/Edinburgh University
 
2013            

Certificate of Botanical Merit, Suzanne Lucas Memorial Award, People's Choice Award, SBA London

                                                                           
2016            

Best in Show, OA Gallery, Kirkwood Missouri

2018            

Jurors Award, Foundry Art Centre, Saint Charles, Missouri
 
 
Collections
                    

Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation, Pittsburgh

Shirley Sherwood Collection, Shirley Sherwood Gallery, London

 

Various private collections

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Articles

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Edit, The Alumni Magazine, The University of Edinburgh. “In a Fresh Light” Silke Currie. Robert McNeill and Fiona Strickland.

 

Kew Magazine, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew. Sue Herman

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