Over the past two decades, Scottish Contemporary artist Alison
McWhirter has established herself as one of the most distinctive and
accomplished painters among the new generation of Scottish Colourists. Her work
is celebrated for its vivid energy, bold colour, and emotional depth, capturing
both the beauty of everyday life and the expressive potential of paint itself.
Alison McWhirter has gained international recognition for
her original still life compositions, expressive landscapes, and powerful
abstracts. .Her paintings balance the line between observation and imagination,
exploring the tension between what is seen and what is felt. In her own words,
her art seeks to express “pure feeling” and reveal “the beauty in the
things that surround us — that which elevates us beyond reason.”
While her compositions often appear spontaneous and
instinctive, they are the result of deep reflection and a profound connection
to the creative process. Alison embraces the challenges and mysteries of
painting, continuously experimenting with form, texture, and colour. Her
evolving technique frequently incorporates the use of her hands and palette
knife, resulting in luscious, tactile surfaces and richly layered impasto that
convey a sense of immediacy and emotional honesty.
Born in Dumfries in 1975, Alison McWhirter studied at the Cumbria
College of Art and Design before completing a BA (Hons) in Fine Art and an MFA
in Visual Culture at Bath Spa University. She has since exhibited widely across
the UK and internationally, attracting a devoted following of collectors and
earning the admiration of critics and fellow artists alike.
Alison’s work continues to evolve, defined by her sincerity,
experimentation, and a fearless pursuit of abstraction — qualities that make
her one of the most compelling voices in contemporary Scottish art today.
Artists