Edinburgh artist prepares for National Galleries showcase on 15 and 16 August

An Edinburgh artist who transforms local landscapes and architecture into stunning prints has been selected to showcase his work at the Portrait Gallery, on Queen Street.

Callum Russell, who completed a Master’s degree in contemporary art at the Edinburgh College of Art, after studying Illustration at Falmouth School of Art, specialises in paper cutting and lino printing, creating prints inspired by the distinctive landscapes, industrial buildings and green spaces in and around the capital and beyond.

On the weekend of Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August, Callum will join over 40 of Scotland's leading independent makers, artists and designers at the Tea Green Events Summer Market at the Portrait Gallery. The event, which runs from 10am-5pm is open to the public and free to attend.

Now in its 12th year, Dundee-based Tea Green Events, owned by Dundee jeweller Joanne MacFadyen, has become one of Scotland's leading platforms for independent designers, attracting thousands of visitors to markets across the country. The Edinburgh event will feature everything from artwork, textiles and ceramics to jewellery and stationery.

Callum, who creates his work from a home studio in Edinburgh, has also exhibited at Tea Green markets at V&A Dundee and Kelvingrove Art Gallery, in Glasgow.

He said: “Initially I got into printmaking purely as a way of making copies of my papercut images, but I soon fell in love with lino cutting and printing as a process in itself.

“I have always been inspired by cities, urban and industrial settings, from black-and-white, almost cinematic images of the cranes at Leith Docks to the shadows and commuters of Waverley railway station. 

“However, I’m fortunate to live in a city with so many natural and colourful landscapes like Holyrood Park, Arthur’s Seat and The Meadows so I’m increasingly incorporating these spaces, which have a different appeal.”

Joanne said, “We are excited to once again be returning to the Portrait Gallery – a truly spectacular space and the perfect backdrop to show off the cream of Scotland’s creative talent, including many designers and makers who, like Callum, live, work and take their inspiration from the capital and its surroundings. 

“Due to the large number of tourists visiting Edinburgh over the summer, the market also takes Scotland’s talent to a global level, celebrating the very best of Scottish craftsmanship.”

Callum added: “It’s always a delight to exhibit at Tea Green markets and a genuine privilege to be considered amongst other creatives at such a high standard. The markets are so well curated, held in some of Scotland’s most stunning spaces and, as a result, attract visitors with a genuine interest in art and creativity, which really adds something to the event. And more than ever, it’s a real joy to interact with the public, to talk to them about my work and to get feedback on what I do.”

www.teagreen.co.uk

Pictured: Callum Russell