This exhibition presents work by members of the Scottish Society of Botanical Artists (SSBA) alongside sculptures by Ellen McCann. In order to reflect the SOC’s goal to “support the conservation of wild birds and their habitats throughout Scotland”, SSBA artists have taken their inspiration from plants found in the wild in Scotland. These plants, wild flowers, hedgerows and weeds form part of the habitat of wild birds and pollinators, and indeed visiting birds and insects are included in some of the paintings! The SSBA promotes and encourages botanical art in Scotland. It is an inclusive organisation whose membership ranges from those relatively new to botanical art to professional botanical artists. They work in a variety of media including watercolour, acrylic, coloured pencil, graphite and ink. Since its inception in 2015, the SSBA has exhibited widely across Scotland and it is their second exhibition at the SOC.
The paintings are accompanied by sculptures by Ellen McCann. Her ceramic sculptures are inspired by plants in transition – gently moving towards opening up, inviting us to imagine what they might become. Ellen’s sculptures are made with stoneware clay constructed using slabs and coils, then carved, glazed and fired to 1250 degrees. They can be placed indoors or outdoors, and indeed there will be some sculptures in the garden at Waterston House. Ellen studied sculpture and ceramics at Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen. She taught art for many years in Angus and the Borders. She is the recipient of a number of awards and travelling scholarships and exhibits at local and national level. She is based near Biggar.
