James McDonald 'New Paintings'

Described by journalist Auberon Waugh as having a ‘fine, angry genius’, James McDonald’s exquisitely rendered paintings have an Old Master quality about them. Everyday objects -  a shell, loaf of bread or even a bacon roll - become precious and even sensuous as they shimmer cinematically before you. A rare gift, which he discovered early on in his career, was to discover beauty in the most mundane, everyday objects.

Bohun Gallery presents one of the boldest collections of work by the Glaswegian artist, to date. It includes not only a mesmerising selection of his evocative still life paintings but also very poignant portraits of his late brother, Jonathan McDonald, together with a large and startling Self Portrait which directly challenges the viewer as the artist emerges out of the darkness. A large, ambitious painting entitled ‘Soup Notes’ depicts a pile of scribbled notes on old envelopes which McDonald describes as ‘accidental and inadvertent poetry-to-be from me dear Mother, instructions from her to me!’

McDonald’s paintings reflect his education at Edinburgh College during the 1970s which placed so much importance on technical draughtsmanship techniques in both painting and printmaking. Throughout this new collection of painting, the artist achieves wonderful effects of depth & shadow with immense detail and precision.