John Boyd 1940-2001
John Boyd was unusual in that he painted his best work in the last half dozen years of his forty year career. Renoir's opinion that Degas, had he died at fifty, would not have been regarded as a master, can also be applied to Boyd. David Donaldson and William Crosbie were his mentors and his work for many years showed their influence both in subject matter and technique. Gradually, in an unhurried fashion, he found his own voice, becoming one of the most distinctive and individual painters working in Scotland.
John Boyd was born in Stonehaven in 1940, and whilst at Mackie Academy was lucky enough to be encouraged by James Morrison, who often welcomed him to his studio in Catterline. He attended Gray's School of Art in Aberdeen from 1958-62 where he was taught by Bobby Henderson Blyth, and briefly studied at Hospitalfield near Arbroath, where he met John Byrne and Sandy Fraser, who was to become a lifelong friend.
Shortly afterwards he moved to Glasgow where he lived for the rest of his life. He became an art teacher, principally at Shawlands Academy, where he taught the young Archie Forrest. Only in the last decade did he devote himself exclusively to his work as an artist. He began a long series of oil paintings drawing strongly from his childhood experiences on the Kincardineshire coast thirty years before. These paintings are ruminative and evocative compositions of fishermen, alone or in groups, standing quietly. Often they cradle model-sized boats, inspired, according to the artist, by early Italian paintings of prelates holding models of their churches. These paintings, like Boyd's still lifes, display unfussy handling, a lively painterly surface and beautiful, subtle colour.
John Boyd was a prolific painter and showed his work in twenty one-man exhibitions, represented by galleries in Glasgow, London, Eton and Edinburgh. He is highly regarded in South Africa where he exhibited at the Everard Read Gallery in Johannesberg, following in the footsteps of Robin Philipson and David Donaldson.
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New Works
6 - 29 May 2021 EdinburghThe Fine Art Society presents an exhibition of newly acquired work from 19th and 20th century Scottish artists, including: Patrick William Adam, Cosmo Alexander, Phyllis Bone, Sam Bough, John Boyd,...Read more -
Coast
1 Apr - 1 May 2021 EdinburghFind the online viewing room for Coast here. Scotland’s coastline is one which naturally inspires in its dramatic geography. Coast presents a journey around the shores of the Scottish homeland,...Read more -
Modern
18 Feb - 27 Mar 2021 Edinburgh20th century Scottish works of art, including Barbara Balmer, Robert Henderson Blyth, John Boyd, John Byrne, FCB Cadell, Ian Fleming, William Gillies, Jack Knox, William McCance, and John McLean.Read more -
Christmas
at The Fine Art Society 4 - 23 Dec 2020 EdinburghRead more -
Hang 4 //
Modern Scottish Pictures 1 - 19 Sep 2020 EdinburghCelebrating the variety of 20th century Scottish Art, this selection of works captures modern perspectives of Scottish identity. In the face of global societal and technological change, the artists’ focus...Read more -
Intimate
A Portrait 25 Jul - 31 Aug 2019 EdinburghClose and personal portraiture: painting, sculpture and photography by living and twentieth century artists whose sitters are closest to them or whose inner workings engage them, sometimes the artist themselves....Read more -
Muse
26 May - 17 Jun 2017 EdinburghA small exhibition, Muse, drew together a select group of works that reflect the source of artistic inspiration be it an individual, a character from literature or a group. Central...Read more -
Between Tides
Scotland's working culture of the sea 26 May - 17 Jun 2017 EdinburghFor centuries, artists have been inspired by the sea. A natural boundary, Scotland's coasts and seas are dramatic, varied, highly productive and often awe-inspiring. This exhibition looks at the varied...Read more -
Scottish Pictures of the Twentieth Century
15 Feb - 16 Mar 2013 EdinburghWith work by E A Hornel, Sir D Y Cameron, S J Peploe, Anne Redpath, Sir William Gillies, A R Sturrock, William Wilson, Sir W O Hutchison, Alberto Morrocco, Robert...Read more
