One of Scotland’s best-selling artists has pledged to give a
percentage of the profits from forthcoming exhibitions to help restore the
iconic Mackintosh building at The Glasgow School of Art where he was a student for
five years.
percentage of the profits from forthcoming exhibitions to help restore the
iconic Mackintosh building at The Glasgow School of Art where he was a student for
five years.
John, who studied at Glasgow School of Art from 1967-72, said he was devastated when he heard about the fire which badly damaged the Grade A listed building on Friday 23rd May. He said: “I heard the news on radio in my studio. I had to stop painting, I was close to tears.
“The Mack made me who I am, it has a big place in my heart. I’m here, a successful artist painting the Scottish landscape, because of all I got from the Mackintosh building and the people in it – and the teachers who are there now are continuing to do that for folks like myself.”
Professor Tom Inns, Director of The Glasgow School of Art said: “We have been overwhelmed by the offers of support that we have received since the fire last month. We are very grateful for this wonderfully generous offer from John Lowrie Morrison which will help us to ensure that, like him, future generations of students can study and make work in the inspirational Mackintosh Building.”
Full text of press release below.
News Release
Jolomo pledges support for Glasgow School of Art after fire
John Lowrie Morrison OBE, known as “Jolomo”, will give a
percentage of the proceeds from ‘Jolomo in the Hebrides’, which opens on
Saturday at MacGregor Fine Art in Glasgow, and several other exhibitions this
year, to the Mackintosh Building Fire Fund.
percentage of the proceeds from ‘Jolomo in the Hebrides’, which opens on
Saturday at MacGregor Fine Art in Glasgow, and several other exhibitions this
year, to the Mackintosh Building Fire Fund.
John, who studied at Glasgow School of Art from 1967-72, said
he was devastated when he heard about the fire which badly damaged the Grade A
listed building on Friday 23rd May. He said: “I heard the news on radio in my studio. I had to stop painting, I was
close to tears.
he was devastated when he heard about the fire which badly damaged the Grade A
listed building on Friday 23rd May. He said: “I heard the news on radio in my studio. I had to stop painting, I was
close to tears.
“The Mack made me who I am,
it has a big place in my heart. I’m here, a successful artist painting the
Scottish landscape, because of all I got from the Mackintosh building and the
people in it – and the teachers who are there now are continuing to do that for
folks like myself.”
it has a big place in my heart. I’m here, a successful artist painting the
Scottish landscape, because of all I got from the Mackintosh building and the
people in it – and the teachers who are there now are continuing to do that for
folks like myself.”
He called on other former students to rally round and support
the appeal. “They will restore the building, and it’s up to the alumni to help
fund it. It has done so much for so many artists over the years, it’s time to
give something back. People who benefited should be helping out now, even a few
pounds adds up.”
the appeal. “They will restore the building, and it’s up to the alumni to help
fund it. It has done so much for so many artists over the years, it’s time to
give something back. People who benefited should be helping out now, even a few
pounds adds up.”
Professor Tom Inns, Director of The Glasgow School of Art said: “We have been overwhelmed by the offers of
support that we have received since the fire last month. We are very grateful
for this wonderfully generous offer from John Lowrie Morrison which will help
us to ensure that, like him, future generations of students can study and make
work in the inspirational Mackintosh Building.”
support that we have received since the fire last month. We are very grateful
for this wonderfully generous offer from John Lowrie Morrison which will help
us to ensure that, like him, future generations of students can study and make
work in the inspirational Mackintosh Building.”
John Lowrie Morrison is pleased to be presenting ‘Jolomo in the Hebrides’ at MacGregor
Fine Art in the centre of Glasgow during the Commonwealth Games. He said he
hoped his expressionist paintings of the islands will give visitors to the city
a chance to glimpse another part of Scotland
Fine Art in the centre of Glasgow during the Commonwealth Games. He said he
hoped his expressionist paintings of the islands will give visitors to the city
a chance to glimpse another part of Scotland
He said: “People from
all over the world will be in Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games. They might
not be able to get as far as the Hebrides, but they can catch a glimpse of the
Western Isles and the Inner Hebrides by visiting the gallery.”
all over the world will be in Glasgow for the Commonwealth Games. They might
not be able to get as far as the Hebrides, but they can catch a glimpse of the
Western Isles and the Inner Hebrides by visiting the gallery.”
Iain MacGregor of MacGregor Fine Art said: “John is a tremendously well respected and
much loved artist, one we have shown for many years, and who remains one of our
best sellers. To host this major exhibition here in his home town during such
an important and busy time for the city is a real honour for us.”
much loved artist, one we have shown for many years, and who remains one of our
best sellers. To host this major exhibition here in his home town during such
an important and busy time for the city is a real honour for us.”
After graduating from Glasgow School of Art, John Lowrie
Morrison worked for 25 years in art education before leaving to paint full-time
in 1997. His distinctive colourful landscapes of Scotland quickly made him one
of the country’s most popular paintings, with celebrities such as Sting,
Madonna and Rick Stein buying his work.
Morrison worked for 25 years in art education before leaving to paint full-time
in 1997. His distinctive colourful landscapes of Scotland quickly made him one
of the country’s most popular paintings, with celebrities such as Sting,
Madonna and Rick Stein buying his work.
For further information,
interviews and images,
interviews and images,
Susan Mansfield
07803 620038
Notes to editors:
1. ‘Jolomo in the Hebrides’ is at MacGregor Fine Art, 166
Hope Street, Glasgow, from June 21st-August 2nd. The gallery is open
Monday-Saturday 10am-5.30pm and Sunday 11am-5pm.
Hope Street, Glasgow, from June 21st-August 2nd. The gallery is open
Monday-Saturday 10am-5.30pm and Sunday 11am-5pm.
2. John Lowrie Morrison was born in Glasgow and trained at
Glasgow School of Art. He worked in education for 25 years, taking up painting
full-time in 1997. He lives and works in Argyll. He has been awarded honorary
doctorates from the University of the West of Scotland and from Abertay
University. In 2011, he received an OBE for services to art and charity in
Scotland. He was the subject of a major retrospective exhibition at Clydebank
Town Hall Museum & Art Gallery in summer 2013.
Glasgow School of Art. He worked in education for 25 years, taking up painting
full-time in 1997. He lives and works in Argyll. He has been awarded honorary
doctorates from the University of the West of Scotland and from Abertay
University. In 2011, he received an OBE for services to art and charity in
Scotland. He was the subject of a major retrospective exhibition at Clydebank
Town Hall Museum & Art Gallery in summer 2013.
3. MacGregor Fine Art is a long established and well known
gallery situated in a former bank headquarters on the corner of Hope Street and
West Regent Street, Glasgow. The gallery exhibits a wide range of contemporary
artists from Scotland including Peter Howson, Nancy Turnbull, James S. Lindsay,
Huw Williams, Joe Hargan and many more established and emerging artists. A
recent addition to our stable is a select group of international artists from
Spain and Italy who produce beautiful, colourful oils. For more information see
www.macgregorfineart.co.uk <http://www.macgregorfineart.co.uk>
gallery situated in a former bank headquarters on the corner of Hope Street and
West Regent Street, Glasgow. The gallery exhibits a wide range of contemporary
artists from Scotland including Peter Howson, Nancy Turnbull, James S. Lindsay,
Huw Williams, Joe Hargan and many more established and emerging artists. A
recent addition to our stable is a select group of international artists from
Spain and Italy who produce beautiful, colourful oils. For more information see
www.macgregorfineart.co.uk <http://www.macgregorfineart.co.uk>
4. John Lowrie Morrison is the founder of The Jolomo Bank of
Scotland Awards, Scotland’s largest art prize, with total prize money of
£35,000, which recognises emerging artists living and working in Scotland who
are painting the Scottish landscape. The fourth Jolomo Awards were made in June
2013.
Scotland Awards, Scotland’s largest art prize, with total prize money of
£35,000, which recognises emerging artists living and working in Scotland who
are painting the Scottish landscape. The fourth Jolomo Awards were made in June
2013.
ends