John Bellany was an artist with a unique perspective on the fishing industry and communities of the east of Scotland, having grown up within them. His works portray a deep-rooted understanding of the hardness of fishing life, but also of the physical and emotional strength and the particular imagination that sustained the people, from generation to generation, living from the sea. This exhibition celebrates his very personal focus and brings together artwork from the museum’s collection alongside pieces borrowed from the RSA. It includes two works on public show for the first time, and spans almost the length of Bellany’s artistic career. Although the chosen works differ in subject and technique, his uncompromising study of the inter-relationship between man and the sea is a constant anchor throughout. Throughout 2026 the Royal Scottish Academy, the oldest artist-run institution in Scotland, is celebrating its 200th birthday. RSA200: Celebrating Together is a major partnership project involving more than 100 partners to celebrate two centuries of Scottish art and architecture. Find out more: royalscottishacademy.org
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