Gala Opening Private View on Friday 8th November 6pm-8.30pm RSVP: quoting ‘Dovecot’ to mari@jamieprimrose.com
Jamie Primrose: Reflections on a city Shimmering vistas & impressions of Edinburgh. A major solo exhibition of new Edinburgh oils and works on paper celebrating 10 years of painting by the best-selling contemporary Scottish artist
Jamie Primrose is a highly collectable and acclaimed contemporary Scottish artist. Having achieved outstanding success with past sell-out exhibitions of his sought-after paintings, he has now established himself as one of the most exciting talents in the UK.
This is an eagerly anticipated major showcase – following over 25 new solo shows in Edinburgh and London within the last decade, this is Primrose’s largest-ever solo exhibition of atmospheric new Edinburgh oil paintings and works on paper to date and his first exhibition at Dovecot. It celebrates his passion for the Scottish capital’s unique light, majestic landscape and his ‘10th Anniversary’ as a professional artist living and painting in the city.
“In my paintings I aim to capture that special, fleeting, single moment in time or ‘snapshot’ from dawn onwards and from sunset to sundown, when the light is changing rapidly. It’s my emotional response to and my perception of the relationship between the light in the sky, the myriad of colours, the atmosphere, architecture and landscape – which I am conveying at that very moment. Sometimes my feelings are communicated through a brilliant shaft of light streaming through the clouds, the eerie calm before a storm or the very last glimmer of light before twilight.
The Scottish Capital represents a strong element of whom I used to be, whom I have become and it is firmly ingrained in my psyche. I’m continually drawn to capturing a timeless view of the majestic, historic city I grew up in as a child whilst also discovering new aspects, city vistas and learning more about myself all the time. In my work, I am constantly exploring the juxtaposition of dark, haunting moodiness and uplifting, shimmering light through my usage of medium and technique.†Jamie Primrose
Jamie Primrose ‘Reflections on a city’ – The Collection
‘Reflections on a city’ is an outstanding, extensive body of new oil paintings and monochrome works on paper of Edinburgh by the acclaimed contemporary Scottish artist. It celebrates the culmination of Jamie Primrose’s creative development following ten years as a professional painter living and working in The Scottish Capital since 2003.
Just over a decade ago, Primrose moved back to his native Edinburgh to become an artist (after years in London and abroad) and this stunning solo showcase in November 2013 marks exactly 10 years to the month since his very first solo exhibition at The Traverse Theatre Bar in November 2003.
To celebrate this milestone the leading contemporary arts venue Dovecot Studios has been chosen to enable the highly collectable Scottish painter to create a series of large-scale/format original pieces specifically to fit its beautiful gallery spaces and to showcase what will also be Primrose’s largest new solo collection to date. (N.B. There will be a beautiful range of smaller sizes and formats of artworks throughout the galleries as well).
Primrose’s paintings always offer an evocative statement about the locations they depict. In this major new body of work, he explores his relationship with the Scottish Capital, revisiting and capturing familiar locations in Edinburgh, which uncover a rich depth of meaning and sense of awareness from his past or present. E.g. from early recollections of The Old and New Town – where he grew up, emotional encounters and memories from schooldays in Inverleith and Stockbridge through to his personal perspective on Arthur’s Seat and The Meadows (where he now lives with his wife and young family) and along The Union Canal nearby.
He translates those feelings onto a variety of materials working in a painterly style in oils on canvas, linen and board – offering a depth of rich colour and texture. He explores and experiments with mark making and layering of Indian ink and white acrylic washes in a striking series of monochrome drawings on paper.
With a fascination for the transient nature of light and colour at dawn and dusk the acclaimed artist contemplates and encapsulates light and shade on his sculptural landscapes in the development of his work – his paintings emitting a tranquil, ethereal quality as he emphasises luminosity and atmosphere.
Throughout this collection Primrose’s unique trademark style is ever-present as he captures the changing light, atmosphere and colours from the sky onto the landscape. He focuses primarily on the clarity of autumnal and winter light at its most dramatic and on the most transient, atmospheric times of day – sunrise and sunset. From the eerie mist at dawn to luminous late afternoon reflections, his impressionistic palette will range from rich warm autumnal tones to cooler, starker wintry hues.
Whilst concentrating on light and shade and the transition of these two contrasting seasons, motifs in his work include vast skylines beyond the city’s bold silhouette, a closer architectural perspective on individual streets or an interest in more natural elements in the city’s open spaces, parklands, shimmering lochs and waterways.
Within his works of Edinburgh, the best-selling artist shows a resolute integrity to developing his creativity and craft. He always challenges himself whether in his diversity of locations, media or motifs. With nearly all modern elements and people omitted, his work evokes a sense of serenity as he depicts an historical snapshot and timeless journey through the Scottish Capital’s landscape.
This collection for Dovecot Studios in 2013 reflects a personal journey of his own creative development, exploration, experimentation, introspection and confirms Primrose’s prolific and continuing passion for the city of Edinburgh. As an acclaimed painter working in the Scottish capital for the last 10 years, Primrose is an inspiration to others with his commitment and dedication to his craft. In addition to reflecting on his roots and showcasing his exceptional skill and local
home-grown talent, this exciting exhibition will surely be a spring-board for his flourishing career into the future.
Jamie Primrose Biography
Born in 1972 and brought up in the Scottish Capital, after attending The Edinburgh Academy Jamie Primrose attained a BA in Fine Art at Newcastle University (1990-1994). Following this, after nearly a decade without lifting a paintbrush whilst travelling round the world and working in London in his twenties, a creative trip to Central and South America (and the unique light and vast landscapes he experienced there) proved to be the catalyst and inspiration, which reawakened Primrose’s passion for painting.
He returned home to Edinburgh in 2003 determined to become a professional artist and started his creative exploration of the city he had known during childhood and the beginning of a decade of prolific work – the Scottish Capital’s unique clear light a key source of inspiration then as now.
Having travelled extensively, Primrose has in the past and still paints landscapes further afield, including Central & South America and more recently The South of France, Italy, cityscapes and waterscapes of London, Glasgow and Venice, and seascapes from the Scottish East and West coasts). However he is constantly drawn back to painting his home of Edinburgh. He is also further inspired by many art movements and a diverse cross-section of artists from across the centuries including Whistler, Turner and Monet and the colourist tradition of rich Scottish landscape painting.
With critical acclaim, Primrose is now one of Scotland’s most prominent and highly collectable landscape painters. His works can be seen in selected UK galleries and in exclusive private and corporate collections across Europe, the USA, the Middle East, Australia and in Hong Kong. After returning to Edinburgh a decade ago, he was chosen as one of Scotland on Sunday’s ‘rising stars’ in 2006 and was shortlisted for the prestigious Jolomo Award in 2007 for his outstanding Scottish landscape paintings. He also launched and self-published his own limited edition prints collection that year.
Since then Primrose has also achieved outstanding success – with a string of sell-out exhibitions to his name, having painted and self-hosted over 25 new collections and solo exhibitions of his work in Edinburgh and London. He has attracted an ever-growing UK and international clientele and his work has been featured in exhibition articles, artist profiles, artwork spreads, on front covers and in reviews (see below)
Ten years on – and still a determined and celebrated full-time painter constantly fizzing with new ideas, he displays drive, commitment, single-mindedness and dedication to continually develop his creativity and hone his craft, Primrose works daily from his Edinburgh artist’s studio (WASPS Patriothall in Stockbridge) – continually demonstrating his resolute and constant integrity as an artist.
“Jamie Primrose has developed a growing reputation and an
ever-expanding band of collectors snapping up his work†– The Herald
“Primrose has had astonishing success with his atmospheric paintings†– Galleries
“Jamie Primrose is a well-known contemporary artist” – The Times
“Primrose has an incredible feel for the light of his native Edinburgh” – The Sunday Times
“Jamie’s work is seen as highly collectable” – Scotland on Sunday
“Jamie Primrose’s paintings exude a heaven scent of calm†– The Herald
“Jamie has won a reputation as one of the country’s most prolific artists” – Homes & Interiors Scotland
“Primrose followed his instincts to become a prolific best-seller” – The Herald
“Jamie Primrose’s paintings display an atmospheric, ethereal quality
that makes his work so sought-after†– Scottish Field Magazine