Gray, Alasdair
Alasdair Gray is an artist and writer whose work is strongly influenced by his socalist worldview. He trained in design and mural painting at the Glasgow School of Art, and his novels include Lanark (1981) and Poor Things (1992). Juliet in Red Trousers, which depicts Juliet Bochner, a friend of the artist's, began life as a drawing on paper made during the first sitting with the model; the figure was cut out and pasted on board, upon which oil paint was layered meticulously during subsequent sittings over the following weeks. The long portrait, slightly cropped at either side, engagingly positions the viewer directly opposite the sitter, prehaps rendered more stricking by the fact that her face is turned away. The largely blue backdrop - composed of the patterned chair and carpet - povides a balance to the illuminated skin and red trousers. The chair featured in the painting appears in many subsequent portraits, such as Untitled (2008), where it is seen reupholstered in dark green fabric.
- Artwork Details: 99 x 49.5cm
- Edition:
- Material description: Framed oil on paper, mounted on wood
- Credit line: © the artist (and Sorcha Dallas, Glasgow)
- Theme:
- Medium: Painting
- Accession number: ACC34/2009