George Birrell and Astrid Trügg
10th May to 1st June
‘George Birrell and Astrid Trügg’
We’re thrilled to welcome back to the gallery George Birrell, a celebrated figure in Scottish art, and also warmly welcome Astrid Trügg to the Annan for the first time - an artist whose work we’ve long admired and are delighted to now be showing in Glasgow.
Their distinctive styles complement each other beautifully—George’s iconic bold, expressive depictions of Scotland’s castles, gables, and East Neuk fishing villages contrast with Astrid’s quiet, intimate still lifes, using everyday objects whose shapes and textures appeal to her and bring back memories or create their own story.
George is a master of oil painting, experimenting with colour and working and reworking canvases to build layers of depth and colour, while Astrid crafts her works using a unique blend of gesso, glue, and mill-ground pigment (like lapis lazuli) to create paintings with incredible vibrancy and richly textured surfaces.
With both artists producing only a small number of pieces each year, this is a rare opportunity to experience their work together. We invite you to join us for what promises to be a captivating exhibition.
Opening Saturday 10th May 10am to 5pm
Best wishes, Scott, Susan and the Annan Gallery Team
This catalogue features a small selection of the works available. The full exhibition of works will be able to view online at www.annanart.com
Sales enquiries welcome on receipt of this catalogue. Exhibition from 10th May to 1st June
The full exhibition of works will be able to view online at www.annanart.com
Front Cover: Astrid Trügg ‘The Evening News’ Dry pigment, gesso, collage, graphite and beeswax on panel, Image 60 x 60cm
20 x 20cm
Astrid Trügg ‘Ella’s Dish’
Dry pigment, gesso, collage, graphite and beeswax on panel, Image
George Birrell ‘The Church Tower’ Oil, Image 60 x 76cm
George Birrell ‘Sea Green’ Oil, Image 60 x 76cm
George Birrell ‘Two Boast’ Oil, Image 40 x 40cm
George Birrell ‘The Blue Flag’ Oil, Image 40 x 40cm
Astrid Trügg ‘With a Twist of Lemon’
Dry pigment, gesso, collage, graphite and beeswax on panel, Image 30 x 20cm
George Birrell ‘The Castle Wall’ Oil, Image 60 x 76cm
Astrid Trügg ‘Mussels and Samphire’
Dry pigment, gesso, collage, graphite and beeswax on panel, Image 30 x 20cm
George Birrell ‘The Harbour Yard’ Oil, Image 40 x 40cm
Astrid Trügg ‘Plat du Jour’
Dry pigment, gesso, collage, graphite and beeswax on panel, Image 60 x 45cm
Astrid Trügg ‘Berry Picking’
Dry pigment, gesso, collage, graphite and beeswax on panel, Image 50 x 50cm
George Birrell ‘Village Trees’ Oil, Image 50 x 50cm
George Birrell
George Birrell is one of Scotland’s most celebrated contemporary artists, with a career spanning over five decades.
Born in 1950, he studied at the Glasgow School of Art from 1967 to 1971, before spending ten years teaching art and design. In 1980, he committed fully to painting, establishing himself as a distinctive voice in Scottish art.
After visiting the East Neuk in Fife for the first time when he was a young student, George became fascinated by the small fishing villages of this part of Scotland, which were so different to anywhere else that he had experienced before. Hooked, George made it his artistic mission to revisit these villages and he is well known for his characteristic interpretations of their architecture, alleys, and harbours. None of the places that he paints actually exist, but instead his paintings are created from different memories pulled together into one piece.
His work often features harbours, cottages, and castles, rendered with rich colour and stylised form, with a strong sense of structure and line and offer a deeply personal and evocative interpretation of Scotland’s built and natural environment. Still living and working in Scotland, George continues to draw inspiration from its ever-shifting light and landscape.
His work is exhibited across the UK and regularly at the Annan Gallery.
George Birrell ‘Wee Castle’ Oil, Image 30 x 30cm
George Birrell ‘The Mill Lade’ Oil, Image 30 x 30cm
George Birrell ‘Sunlit Castle’ Oil, Image 40 x 40cm
George Birrell ‘Town Houses’ Oil, Image 50 x 50cm
George Birrell ‘Village Garden’ Oil, Image 50 x 50cm
George Birrell ‘Red Castle’ Oil, Image 40 x 40cm
George Birrell ‘Lobster Pots’ Oil, Image 30 x 30cm
Astrid Trügg ‘Winter Berries’
Dry pigment, gesso, collage, graphite and beeswax on panel, Image 20 x 20cm
Astrid Trügg ‘Harvest Time’
Dry pigment, gesso, collage, graphite and beeswax on panel, Image 20 x 20cm
George Birrell ‘Red Turret Roof’ oil, Image 40 x 40cm
George Birrell ‘Red Castle’ Oil, Image 40 x 40cm
The Annan Gallery
One of Scotland’s leading contemporary art galleries, located in Glasgow with roots tracing back over 150 years, the Annan Gallery has long been at the forefront of Scottish art. Showcasing the very best painters, glassmakers and sculptors working today, through a programme of regularly changing exhibitions, our aim is to find original art for everyone.
Located in the West End near Glasgow University and the Kelvingrove Museum, we are easy to find with lots of parking nearby. Be assured of a friendly welcome and informative, helpful service whether you call in to the Gallery or reach us through our website.
Tues to Fri: 10am - 5pm Saturday: 10am -5:30pm Sunday: 12 - 4pm Monday: Closed
