Ian Imrie displays his works of art

Jul 8 2008

THE work of well-known Perthshire artist Ian Imrie features in a new exhibition which opens to the public at Perth Museum and Art Gallery on Saturday.

The son of a postman who also served with the Black Watch, Ian grew up in North Perth and left Northern District School at 14.

A variety of jobs, which even saw him embark on a short-lived stint as an apprentice plumber, occupied Ian’s time before he embarked on a period with the Merchant Navy.

This took him round the world and provided him with a wealth of experiences, some of which were later to feature in his paintings. On leaving the Merchant Navy Ian was called up for National Service and found himself posted to Germany for two years, where he was based with NATO forces.

On demob he worked in the construction industry before securing a place at Art College in Dundee where his skill as a draughtsman was quickly spotted and secured him a spell teaching drawing in his final year, as well as prestigious bursaries.

Two jobs in the commercial sector were followed by a 40-year career as a dealer in Fine Art and antiques.

Ian’s first love, however, has always been painting and when he retired he began to paint with gusto. Describing himself as a painter rather than an artist, Ian has said: “I paint because I have to. It is inside me and is something I simply feel driven to do. I never really have to consider a motivation, because I live to paint.”

Ian’s work has featured in the annual exhibitions of the Perthshire Art Association, of which he has been a stalwart member for many years, and his work hangs in many private collections throughout Scotland and abroad.

The exhibition marks Ian’s 70th birthday and was proposed by a group of his friends and patrons, including prominent Perthshire businesswoman Ann Gloag who will officially open the exhibition to invited guests on Friday.

“Painting full time was always my master plan,” said Ian “so I have no intention of slowing down. I hope to always paint and it is my lifelong passion. I still look for new challenges in my work and also enjoy teaching drawing or painting to others.

“I have had a wonderful time with my painting, and if I can inspire or help younger people to achieve their dreams, as I achieved mine, then I will be very satisfied.”

The works on show cover the wide range of Ian’s subject matter, and include his introspective self portraits, life studies, animal studies, still life and landscapes.

Ian Cuthbert Imrie : A Retrospective, runs in Gallery Three at Perth Museum and Art Gallery September 27, with the support of Bell & Company, Chartered Accountants.