Biographies

Artist Statement, Sheila Borthwick

I have been an active photographer since the 1980's, concentrating initially on Scottish Landscapes, and then moving towards more contemporary urban, abstract and close up works. I have been influenced by artists like Paul Klee, Kandinsky and the Russian Constructivist movement, as well as contemporary photographers like Peter Fraser, Paul Hill, John Blakemore, William Egglestone and Franko Fontana.The Cornish artists, Barbara Hepworth, Sandra Blow, Terry Frost and others have also been an influence.

I believe the use of natural light is very important and I do not manipulate my images apart from normal process adjustments. What I see is what you get!

Most of my work is now produced digitally using archival inks and fine art papers, although I still have my film equipment which is still used at times. My works for sale are in numbered and signed limited editions. I can supply work framed or unframed and can mail by card postal tubes. Regrettably, I cannot mail framed work.

I also work in some historic processes, Argyrotype and Cyanotype, both hands on processes and am exploring other processes. I also explore instant film photography using Polaroid and Instax, liking the soft tones these images reveal.

I took up printmaking at Dundee Contemporary Arts in 2009, doing several courses to decide which processes I preferred. Most of my prints are Monoprints 1 of 1. I do not use acid based techniques, preferring more environmentally friendly water based inks. I also use a laser cutter to create small shapes to add to my abstract works and am exploring the use of risograph printing, a variant of the old fashioned stencil duplicators. I am always interested in new techniques or blending more than one technique rather than get stuck in a rut with repetitive work. I  work from my studio at Wasps Creative Exchange  in Perth.

My work has found its way to owners around the world, to places as diverse as Russia, Japan, USA and Canada as well as Europe and UK.

Sheila Borthwick, ARPS, AFIAP, Biography

Born
Glasgow

Educated
Laurel Bank, Glasgow
Perth Academy
Dundee College of Commerce, SHND Business Studies, 1975, best student prize

Employment
1978-1998, publishing a building trade information magazine.
2000-2013, Director and Company Secretary, W & D Peddie Ltd, Perth.

Artistic Achievements
1990, Associate of Royal Photographic Society, ARPS. (submission of a panel of themed work, adjudicated to a high standard by a board of selectors.
2005, Artiste of Federation Internationale D'Art Photographique, AFIAP. (acceptances of 80 images in International Salons throughout the world, plus 2 awards, in fact several awards achieved)

Solo Exhibitions
2008 Perthshire Open Studios
2010 Redrooms, Perth Theatre " The Magic of Polaroid"

Books
The Magic of Polaroid, a Blurb publication relating to solo exhibition.

Triangles, self published, photography, printmaking and drawing

Group Exhibitions
1990-2001, Perth Theatre, Perth Festival of the Arts
2002-2008, Frames Gallery, Perth , Festival of the Arts
2004, Birnam Arts, Themed exhibition "Elements"
2005, Heron Gallery, Pittenweem, regular exhibitor
2006, Birnam Arts, Themed exhibition "Barriers"
2006, Frames Gallery, Perth, Summer exhibition
2006, Heron Gallery, Pittenweem, regular exhibitor
2006, Heron Gallery, Pittenweem Festival exhibition
2007, Heron Gallery, Pittenweem, regular exhibitor
2008, Birnam Arts, Themed exhibition "Movement"
2009, Frames Gallery, Perth, "Perth and Perthshire"
2010, Upper Largo Arts Festival
2010-present, Dundee Contemporary Arts, Print studio users exhibitions .
2010-present, Dundee Contemporary Arts, Print exchanges
2011, Fife Fotospace, Glenrothes, Scottish Photographers exhibition.
2012, Birnam Arts Centre, Themed exhibition "Energy"
2013, Roseangle Gallery, Dundee, DCA print studio users exhibition.
2014, Birnam Arts, Themed exhibition, "Scotland in Camera"
2015, Birnam Arts, DCA print studio users exhibition.
2015, Glasgow Print Studio, members Christmas exhibition.
2016, Cambo House, Crail, Printroom Dundee members exhibition
2016 Dundee University Tower Foyer, Printroom Dundee exhibition.
2016, EDS Gallery, Edinburgh, Printroom Dundee members exhibition.
2017, Frames Gallery, Perth, Printroom Dundee members exhibition.
2017, EDS Gallery, Edinburgh, Festival Fringe exhibition, Printroom Dundee.
2017, RGI Glasgow, Open Submission Exhibition, 2 acceptances.

2017, Meffan Institute Gallery, Forfar, Open Submission Exhibition, 2 acceptances

2018, Birnam Arts Centre, Printroom Dundee Group Exhibition.

2019, Frames Gallery Perth, Printroom Dundee Group Exhibition.

2021 Perth Creative Exchange, commissioned users exhibition

2022 Perth Creative Exchange, Tenants Exhibition.

Artist Statement, Alan Borthwick

Photography has been a part of my life over the last 50 years, from school experiments through camera clubs to independent photographer. For a time I did competition and International Salon work, with a good track record in clubs and many acceptances in Salons until running a business took its toll on available time. I intend to start working through my back catalogue in addition to current work as much work has never seen the light of day due to business committments.

I have always had an interest in art, see as many exhibitions as possible and like to see art supported locally. In 1990's, I was part of a pressure group seeking an Arts Centre in Perth, supported by all the arts but alas, we fell foul of Council policy as they acquired our target property for more offices!

I work with both film and digital capture, I place importance on the final image rather than how it was produced, but have never created images out of several components. I aim for a true image. I do my film processing and all prints are limited editions, numbered and signed. They can be framed or unframed.

I also explore historic processes, Argyrotype, Cyanotype and am working on others. Pinhole Camera work is also an interest and I am quite prolific in making images through that medium, liking the slightly soft and dreamy style.

I also did freelance tuition at Dundee Contemporary Arts for several years on analogue and historic processes and enjoyed  passing on some of my experience to others.

My photography style can be varied, a lot of coastal work on my North Sea series on medium format film and Sea and Shore pinhole series. I have also been working on a pinhole series in Botanic Gardens, still in progress. My digital work is primarily street and urban work, split into various themes. I enjoy working on series of images.

Influences to my photography are Michael Kenna, Henri Cartier Bresson, Joel Meyerowicz, Martin Parr, Tony Ray Jones, Simon Roberts and many others. I love acquiring and studying books on photographers and acquiring old equipment which gets brought back into use.

Alan Borthwick, CA, Biography

Born
Perth

Educated
Perth Academy
Dundee University
Institute of Chartered Accounts of Scotland, qualified 1974.

Employment
1968-1980 Chartered Account in public practice as trainee then manager.
1981-2013 Managing Director, W & D Peddie Ltd, Perth, Industrial Supplies.
2013 Retired from active business.

Group Exhibitions
1974-2001, Perth Theatre, Festival of the Arts Exhibition.
2002-2008, Frames Gallery, Perth Festival of the Arts Exhibition.
2004, Birnam Arts Centre, themed exhibition "Elements"
2006, Birnam Arts Centre, themed exhibition "Barriers"
2008, Birnam Arts Centre, themed exhibition "Movement"
2009, Frames Gallery, Perth, " Perth and Perthshire"
2012-now Dundee Contemporary Arts print studio users exhibitions.
2012-now Dundee Contemporary Arts print exchanges by studio users.
2012, Birnam Arts Centre, themed exhibition "Energy"
2013, Roseangle Gallery, Dundee, DCA print studio users exhibition.
2014, Birnam Arts Centre, themed exhibition "Scotland in Camera"
2015, Birnam Arts Centre, DCA print studio users exhibition.
2016, EDS Gallery, Edinburgh, Printroom Dundee members exhibition.
2017, Frames Gallery, Perth, Printroom Dundee members exhibition.
2017, EDS Gallery, Edinburgh, Printroom Dundee Festival Fringe
2018, Birnam Arts Centre, Printroom Dundee Summer exhibition.

2019, Frames Gallery, Perth, Printroom Dundee Group exhibition

2020  Birnam Arts, Christmas Exhibition.

2021 Perth Creative Exchange, commissioned inaugural exhibition

2022 Perth Creative Exchange, Tenants Exhibitions.

2023 Perth Creative Exchange, Tenants Exhibitions