GLASGOW ARTIST ROTHNIE UNLEASHES ‘FREE SPIRIT’ EXHIBITION

"Regal Bear portrait is symbolic of the battle we are fighting with climate change and pollution"

We welcome back our vibrant donated gallery with the opening of ‘Free Spirit’ a therapeutic art exhibition of bright and colourful paintings by Artist Rothnie. The exhibition is the artist’s biggest exhibition of work in over 25 years and captures the moment highlighting climate change.

With the installation adorning our donated gallery walls, ‘Free Spirit’ enabled Artist Rothnie to channel her energy to feel free during the pandemic. She said: “Exhibiting at Skypark is my first real opportunity to show my work to a wider audience. After 25 years raising my family, I'm exploding onto the Glasgow art scene and Skypark has the largest selection of works in one place.

“My influences range from the layers and colours of graffiti and street art to the patterns and symbols of traditional art of indigenous peoples across the world. I use my art as a vehicle to express and understand my feelings, pouring myself into them like a form of therapy.

“My painting, ‘Regal Bear’ is a portrait of a polar bear that I feel is symbolic of the battle we are fighting with climate change and pollution and relevant in the lead up to COP26 in Glasgow. While climate change remains the greatest threat to the polar bear’s survival, the oil and gas industry is currently turning its eyes to the arctic and with that comes the potential risks of further habitat destruction from the oil exploration work. The black human handprint symbolises mans’ presence and the open palm gesture to stop and consider our actions”.

Free Spirit is now open and runs to 31 December 2021. To find out more rothnieartist@gmail.com Instagram @Rothnie_artist