The Polish Girl

John Bellany, CBE, RA, was born in Port Seton, near Edinburgh, into a family of fishermen and boatbuilders. He studied at Edinburgh College of Art, under the renowned Scottish painter Sir Robin Philipson, before gaining a scholarship for travel around Europe, and then going on to attend the Royal College of Art. During his time at art college, Bellany became known for his rebellious spirit and rejection of prevailing artistic trends, instead developing his own unique artistic language.

Bellany’s work often explored themes of his own personal experiences and the struggles of working-class life. His deep connection to his fishing heritage and the sea featured prominently in his paintings. The vivid and emotive imagery in his works captured the harsh realities of life, the complexities of human relationships, and the fragility of the human condition.

In the 1960s, Bellany’s art began to gain recognition, and he became associated with the ‘Edinburgh School’ of painters, which also included artists like Alan Davie and William Gillies. However, Bellany’s career was interrupted by a life-threatening illness in the 1980s. This experience had a profound impact on him and influenced the introspective and spiritual themes that emerged in his later work.

Bellany’s paintings gained international acclaim, and his work was exhibited in major galleries and museums around the world. His contributions to the art world were widely recognized, and he was awarded numerous prestigious honours, including being made a Royal Academician in 1991. Damien Hirst and David Bowie are notable collectors of John Bellany’s work, and his work has been exhibited at Ikon Gallery, Birmingham; Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool; the National Portrait Gallery, London; the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh; and the National Gallery of China, Bejing. His paintings are in the collections of major museums and art galleries throughout the world, including the National Gallery of Scotland; the Tate Gallery; the Museum of Modern Art, New York; and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

Tragically, John Bellany passed away on August 28, 2013, at the age of 71. His artistic legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists and his ability to explore the depths of the human experience have solidified his place as one of Scotland’s most celebrated and recognised artists.