We are pleased to announce that James Lumsden has been awarded a Creative Scotland Open Fund for Individuals Award, which will enable him to spend the next 6 months developing an ‘experimental drawing project’.
‘Over recent years (aside from sketchbook notes, and studies for paintings) I have made occasional drawings, but have not had the time or space to develop these fully. I have considered for some time the possibility of spending a period where I put aside my painting practice temporarily and fully concentrate on what can be done within drawing. Having completed work for recent exhibitions I am now looking forward to realising this project, thanks to a funding award from Creative Scotland. I plan to spend a six-month period (from April until October 2025) undertaking an intensive period of research, experimentation and development within drawing.
I plan to create a large series of drawings in a variety of scales, from small studies to larger finished works. A daily drawing practice will serve as an ongoing process of trials, tests and a form of visual diary, which will inform the work as the project develops.
For me the practice of drawing is open ended, experimental and improvisational. I am not interested in drawing as representation, but rather in finding the drawing through the process (in an echo of my painting practice). A way to explore a multitude of possibilities quickly, a space to explore what is not explored in my paintings, an open space and an end in its own right.
I intend these to be ‘process’ drawings – instead of drawing as figurative depiction I aim to use chance and deliberation within the process to attempt to build drawings which are abstract, poetic, emotive – which explore mark, gesture, depth, light, weight, balance and density.
It is my hope that the drawings produced will develop into a body of work in their own right, but will also inform the development of future paintings’.
This project is supported by Creative Scotland. Please contact the gallery for further information.
Upcoming exhibitions:
- Point Series, a solo exhibition at Kirkcudbright Galleries between 17 May – 13 July 2025.
- Scottish Landscape Awards at Kirkcudbright Galleries between 5 July - 28 September 2025
