“I am increasingly convinced about the inter-connectivity of everything in our world, from the tiniest microscopic forms, to the forms in nature and our inter-dependence on the natural world for our survival.” Sam Ainsley.
‘What if it isn’t there…’ is a new two-person exhibition by artists Sam Ainsley and Alex Dempster. Bringing together works that explore shared fascinations with natural systems, geology, and the rhythmic structures of the Earth, the exhibition presents a dialogue between two artists whose personal and professional lives have been intertwined for nearly forty years. Dempster studied on the GSA’s Master of Fine Art course from 1988 to 1990 during Ainsley’s tenure as a tutor in the early years of the course. Ainsley co-founded the programme in 1988 and became Head of the MFA in 1991 before retiring in 2005.
Sam Ainsley (D.Litt., R.S.A.) thinks of her work as a form of “emotional and intellectual mapping” that tries to uncover correspondences and relationships between the natural and man-made worlds. She seeks to uncover and illustrate the deep-rooted relationships between biological, geographic, geological phenomena, and the human condition. Seeing the “this-ness” of things—the way a river system might echo the arteries of a human heart, or how the contours of skin resemble the rolling surface of the land— allows her to develop metaphors which encourage viewers to question what it is they see. She is also fascinated by the relationship between visual images of the “micro” and the “macro”, and her work shifts between these viewpoints, drawing parallels between the ability to focus closely on internal biological structures and the capacity to stand back and view the “bigger picture” world at scale. These works transform the intimate human form into landscapes or planets, provoking the viewer to reconsider the boundaries between the self and the environment, and it is in this constant oscillation of perspective that Ainsley’s worldview has been developed and her position as an artist articulated.
Ainsley’s recent mixed media work has predominantly been in collage, drawing, and paint. Continuing one of the key themes in her work— autobiography— for this exhibition, she will show a body of new work called ‘The Bed Drawings’, made during some enforced bed rest, following a road accident earlier in the year. Ainsley posted one drawing or collage every day on social media, intending to stop when she completed 100 drawings.
Sam Ainsley said;-
“Each day I began from one of two premises; either they would continue my interest in the natural world; geology/geography/maps and mapping/islands/microscopic and macroscopic images, etc., or they would be drawn from imagination or memory and perhaps even be autobiographical. These twin strands have emerged in these drawings quite organically without the preparation and planning that precedes my large-scale works and have allowed a freedom and lack of restraint concerning how they might emerge.”
Alongside Ainsley’s work, and in conversation with it, Glasgow-born Alex Dempster’s artistic practice is shaped by a lifelong fascination with nature, geology and the branching networks that appear across myriad forms in nature. From the delicate veins of leaves to the intricate patterns of river systems and geological fault lines, these interconnected structures embody the hidden order of the natural world. In recent projects, he has embraced mixed media techniques, incorporating materials such as wood, acrylic paint, acrylic mediums, scoring tools, and paper. The textures and forms of nature serve as both inspiration and metaphor. Through the integration of diverse techniques and mediums, he endeavours to craft pieces that not only resonate aesthetically but also invite a deeper engagement with the invisible forces and structures shaping our world.
The exhibition runs from 4th July till 8th August at The Glasgow School of Art’s Garnethill Gallery. There will be a preview event on the evening of the 3rd July between 5-7pm in the gallery. Entry to this event is free but please book through Eventbrite HERE.
For further information contact press@gsa.ac.uk
Notes for Editors
Garnethill Gallery at Reid Building Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 10 – 4.30. (Free admission).
About Sam Ainsley
Ainsley has forged a remarkable career within the visual arts sector nationally and internationally. From 1985 to 1991 she taught on the Environmental Art programme when she then co-founded the MFA course. She has since worked collaboratively with David Harding (ex-Head of Environmental Art at GSA) and Sandy Moffat (ex-Head of Painting at GSA) as AHM (Ainsley, Harding, Moffat) on symposia and other events and continues to work independently in her studio.
She is a respected and published spokeswoman for the visual arts and her own artwork is held by a number of public and private collections nationally and internationally. Ainsley has contributed to a broad range of visual art initiatives in Scotland and has served as a Board member for many arts organisations. She has exhibited in and curated independent exhibitions and undertaken residencies in numerous institutions and arts organisations across the USA, Australasia, Europe and the UK.
In 2017, Ainsley was inducted into the ‘Outstanding Women of Scotland’ by the Saltire Society. GSA awarded her an Honorary Doctorate (D.Litt) for her contribution to art and art education in 2018. In 2022, Ainsley had a solo exhibition titled Stories Real and Imagined in the Academicians’ Gallery at the Royal Scottish Academy. A major exhibition of her work, Wednesday is Cobalt Blue, Friday is Cadmium Red, was mounted at the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) in Glasgow and ran from 25 November 2023 to 30 June 2024. In November 2025, Glasgow Life Museums acquired two works by Sam Ainsley for their permanent collection: Blue Body, Red Centre, Green Acanthus (2023) and Where there are hopes, there are also fears (2025).
About Alex Dempster
Glasgow-born Dempster’s artistic journey has been marked by an exploration of both the urban and natural landscapes. He attended Chelsea School of Art 1983 – 1984, The Glasgow School of Art 1984 – 1988 (BA Hons.), then 1988 – 1990 (MFA). From 1991 -95, he worked on several collaborative exhibitions with the artist Alan Dunn. Dempster worked as an Art & Design teacher from 1991- 93 becoming a Principal Teacher of Art and Design in 1993, teaching Art and Design and Photography until his retirement in 2022. In his retirement Alex now finds himself with more time to devote to his personal artistic endeavours.
About The Glasgow School of Art
The Glasgow School of Art (GSA) is internationally recognised as one of Europe’s leading independent university-level institutions for education and research in the visual creative disciplines – ranking 8th in the world and 5th in Europe in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Our studio-based, specialist, practice-led teaching, learning and research draw talented individuals with a shared passion for visual culture and creative production from all over the world.
Originally founded in 1845 as one of the first Government Schools of Design, the School’s history can be traced back to 1753 and the establishment of the Foulis Academy delivering a European-style art education. Today, the GSA is an international community of over 3,500 students and staff across architecture, design, digital, fine art and innovation in our campuses in Glasgow and Altyre (in the Scottish Highlands) and a thriving Open Studio programme delivering non-degree provision to over 1,500 students annually.
