R o b e r t M c N e i l l
C o n t e m p o r a r y A r t i s t
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.
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
2024
Visual Arts Scotland, Now and Then, Dalkeith Palace, Dalkeith
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
2007
A Celebration of Hospitalfield, Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh
2005
The Royal Scottish Academy, Open Exibition, RSA Gallery, Edinburgh
2004
RGI, 143rd Annual Exhibition, Roger Bilcliff Gallery, Glasgow
1995
Cyberia Internet Café, Edinburgh
Collective Gallery, Group Exhibition, Edinburgh
1997
Aberlady Gallery, Aberlady, East Lothian
1996
Collective Gallery, Group Exhibition, Edinburgh
1994
Collective Gallery Christmas Exhibition, Edinburgh
Aberdona Gallery, Group Exhibition, Coalsnaughton, Clackmannanshire
1990
W.A.S.P.S. Tillicultry Group Exhibition, W.A.S.P.S. Ltd. King Street Glasgow
1989
Society of Scottish Artists, Annual Exhibition, Demarco Gallery, Edinburgh
1988
Society of Scottish Artists, Annual Exhibition, RSA Gallery, Edinburgh
1987
Society of Scottish Artists, Annual Exhibition, RSA Gallery, Edinburgh
1985
Central Arts, Smith Art Gallery, Stirling
1978
Winsor and Newton Finalist Exhibition, Royal College of Art
1977
Hospitalfield House, Arbroath, Edinburgh College of Art/Edinburgh University
1977
RSA Student Exhibition, RSA Gallery, Edinburgh
Solo Exhibitions
1985
Collective Gallery, Solo Exhibition, Edinburgh
2009
East Kilbride Arts Centre, South Lanarkshire
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
Articles
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
.