GLASGOW GROUP HISTORY - THE 50S

Partly influenced by exhibitions held by the INDEPENDENTS (a mixture of creative amateurs encouraged by J. D. FERGUSSON) , the exhibition was presented as a series of one person shows , each artist's work was hung as a self- contained unit.

The artists decided to have no selection committee nor unifying aesthetic aim. They named themelves:

The Young Glasgow Group

The inaugeral exhibition in the McLellan Galleries in 1958 was well received , Bingo Mavor , who opened the first exhibition described the event as a "light from the west".

An enthusistic review in the SCOTSMAN newspaper featured ALLAN FLETCHER'S 'Man on a Wheel.'

Allan's work was shown posthumously as he had tragically been killed while visiting Milan on a traveling scholarship. (preparatory drawing shown here)

James Morrison was already building a reputation for his dramatic Glasgow tenement paintings and when he moved to Catterline he continued to exhibit with the Young Glasgow Group and to invite many of the artists to stay with him , one critic referred to the village as the Groups' 'Barbizon.'

Why did the Young Glasgow Group evolve from this particular group of students?

There were several reasons , most of the artists had become friends at Glasgow School of Art sharing in a common bond of activities

In 1954 Alistair Gray and James Spence had founded a Glasgow School of Art debating society bringing them into contact with other students.

One motion in particular: "Art Schools Destroy Art" was opposed by JAMES MORRISON and supported by WILLIAM CROZIER.

James Spence and Alistair Gray had also been founders of an Art School magazine bringing them into early contact with the future student members.

However , there were two focal points that can be seen as being pivotal in the formation of The Young Glagow group

The first and most important influence on the artists was the experience of shared study at Hospitalfield Art College , Arbroath , where McGlaughlan Milne was the resident tutor.

Hospitalfield was a scholarship offered to particular students.

Secondly , Allan Fletcher , James Spence , James Morrison , Anda Paterson , Ewen McAslan and Jack Knox had all shared the experience of working in Edinburgh having been selected to enter the annual R.S.A. (Royal Scottish Academy) exhibition.

The success of the first exhibition in the McLellan Galleries had made it clear that a focus for young artists had newly emerged in Glasgow.

Additional Archive Photographs

(Above),Benno Schotz

(Above),JamesMorrison